Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-03
ST. iJOSEPH'S INFIRMARY.
ONE OF SAVANNAHS NOBLEST
CHARITIES.

CHARITIES.
History of the Organization and the
Work 1t Has AccOmpIished-The Sis
tiers of Mercy and Their Devotion in
the Dark Days of the Epidemic-The
Number of Patients Received and How
They Are Treated-Details of Manage
ment.
Among the institutions to which the
residents of Savannah point with eonsid-
cradle pride is the st. Joseph's Infrmary.
The institution was organized in June,
1879, with the Sisters of Mercy in charge.
and IS supported by voluntary contribu-
lions and pay patients. One Of the leading
public contributors in its aid is Chatham
county, which last year donated $500.
Its ministrations in behalf of the sick first
attracted the notice Of the general public
in 1876, when the city was visited by the
terrible yellow fever epidemic.
During that distressing period the Sis
tiers exhibited the devotion to their call
ing for which they have always been
commended. They were calm, patient,
gentle and indefatigable, and never for a
moment ceased their attentions to the fe-
Yer-stricken sufferers, many of whom were
saved from death when even the attend
ing physicians had abandoned all hope.
NO QUESTIONS AS TO CREED.
Although ostensibly Catholic institu-
ton, the benifcent attention of its corps
OF skIllful nurses is given toIevery sufferer
who seeks admittance within its wards,
whether he be white or colored, male or
female, Isrealite, Turk, Catholic, Protest
ant or Pagan.
a reporter Ofthe MORNING NEWS called
there yesterday and found Sister Eulilia,
the superior, in the office, which is also
the dispensary, answering the questions
propOunded by the Sisters, and busy Civ
ing directions relative to the care neces-
sary to be gwen the patients in their
charge. AT desk in one corner of the
room the records of the infirmary are
kept.
AN ARMY OF PATIENTS.
In 1888, S67 persons were admitted into
the innrmary. OF this number but 40
died. During the present year 152
patients were admitted in January, 119
In February, log in March. "a in April, 40
IN May, 50 in June, and III in July.
The number of deaths during
that period was 9. One death, that Of
Henry Beames, is reported during the
present month, but this was a fatal case be-
fore the subject had entered the institution
and though forming part of its records,
the demOse cannot be attributed to the
lack of attention on the part of the Sisters.
THE OLD MEDICAL COLLEGE.
The inirmary building was formerly
known as the Georgia Medical College,
but after 1t was taken in charge by the
Sisters, large amount of money had to
be expended. in order to remodel the in
terror of the structureIfor the purposes for
which 1t Is now used. This eXpendi-
ture has been a heavy burden,
but when the debt shall have been dis
charged the Sisters will have an Oppor-
tunlty tomake many improvements which
they deem necessary TO enable them to
place the hospital in the front rank of
the institutions of its kind.
THE HOSPITAL APARTMENTS.
The basement of the structure is divid-
ed into kitchen, store rooms and dining
rooms. The apartments are cool, well
lighted and extremely neat and clean.
The first floor is divided into a reception
room and private wards separated by two
large passage ways and leading from the
main eatrance ON Taylor street and inter-
sectlng the other and larger hall upon
which the wards open. At one end of the
hall door communicates with a narrow
hall leading to the marine ward, of which
DIR. Stone is in charge. The ceilings on
this floor are high and all the apartments
well ventilated and kept in the best of
order.
THE WARDS.
In a smaller ward on this floor the re-
porter noticed three or four colored
men. A wide stairway leads to the
floors above, where there is ward on the
Taylor street side of the structure for
female patients, besides a number of pri-
vate wards. On the north side larger
apartment is used as a ward for males.
The atmosphere of all the rooms was per-
fectly free from any unpleasant OdOr, the
attendants moved nOiselessly about, and
every detail of duty was being executed
with system and promptness worthy of
the highest praise.
On the third floor are several wards, the
infirmary chapel and the Sisters dOrmi-
tory.
NO ONE TURNED AWAY.
No one, no matter of what denomina-
ton, is ever turned away as long as there
is a spare room in the building and bed
/ for their accommodation. There were
| fifty-five patients in the infrmary
! yesterday, of this number fifteen are
females. One of the latter being under
| treatment in private ward for insanity.
| By using all the available space $50 pa
| tients can be accommodated. The num-
| Der of vacant beds speaks well for the
| health of the city, as well as for the
/ attention of the Sisters, who act under the
| advice of DR.. James b. Read, in charge OF
| the charity ward.
There are but four patients in the ma
rine ward at this time, although during
! the fall and winter months this depart
ment is often well filled with seamen.
/ Important operations are frequently per-
| formed, and cures are effected which
| speak we'll for the skill of the physicians.
and the care given by the Sisters.
| man IN Tile STRFET