Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-04
A (ify Hospital.

I'm the Common Council Monday DR..
Riddcil offered the following
Whereas the necessity Of public hos
pitaI III our city has long existed for the
treatment OF acute diseases and accidents
which often bcfalI many Of our worthy cit
Izens who are not able 10 obtain necessary
medical and surgical attention without be-
ing sent 10 the city almshouse hospital as
paUVCrs therefore
R6SOired bV the Common Council, That
the Committee on Health and Committee on
Relief OF the Poor be. and the same are mere
lv. instructed 70 INQUIRE into the probable
cost oi fitting up city hospital. andreport
ihc same to this body at It's next meeting.
Or. Riddcll said the faculty Of the MeGi-
cal College have offered the city the Use OF
the infrmary building on Marshall between
Twelfth aud Thirteenth streets gratis for
hospital purposes. the city being only re-.
quifcd to furnish the department with such
materials, &C.. 50 are necessary for the COM
fort and care OF those specified, the Super
intendont Of the City Almshousc 10 have
charge OF all furniture, &c. OF the hos
uItal, and provide for the same as at the
ainshouse hospital.
The faculty Of the college propose to at
tend all patients gratis who are not able to
cmploy physician.
The city almshousc was evidently intend
cd for certain clsss Of ciilzens-tnose who
are not able to make livelihood for them
selves in consequence Of the lnfrInities Of
sec and the mi.iortuncs incident 10 this
life. the most Of when need more susie
nance than medical treatment. IL we had
a city hospital all acute diseases and aeci.
dents would be sent there for treatment,
and many OF our most respectable citizens
who have not been so fortunate aS others
IN Icing possessed OF all the comforts OF
liic. though rot less worthy. would not
hesitate. when disease or accident befell
them, 10 lie conveyed TO an institution oi
this kind for proper treatment and nursing.
Very often some o. our worthy mechanics
and others meet with accidents. &c, and
their circumstances are such that they are
not able 10 procure the proper medical As
sistaucc; they should certainly be provided
for at this hospital, where they would re-
ceivc every comfort aud attention.
Now. what is the present condition oi
sIalrs? These worthy citizens have no
alternative except the pOOr-house. The
idea II an almshouse j. "a gloomy and mciln-
choly ore to men o; this character. Under
such circlln, stances il l. demoralzing, and
cannot hut prove acutcly mortiiylng TO
theiI sense 0i pride, and certainly reflects
no credit upon their city. Thus 1t VIII be
seen that such hospital would be promo
tive Of much good, and blessing to many
who are without the comforts OF home
when sick. Every city in the Union with
population a. large az Richmond has q
hospital for the purposes indicated, n0'
only for the benefit OF their citizens, bul
also for strangers who may require medi
cal aid away from their homes and friends
II the city is not in 4 condition at present
to make an adequate appropriation Tor The
erection Of public hospital In consequence
Of the large amounts to be expended soor
on other public improvements, it is to bC
boped. however. that she will. before many
years, be able to erect such an lnStltutloh a.
will reflect credit upon her people:
" the proposition rs suggested shouiI
meet with favorable consideration, the nj
ting up oi pu)lic hospital would cost In
city very little. The expenses OF the alm'
house hospital department would doubles
| be reduced. and with few other charitle'
| concentrated in this direction, the cit,
| would he materially aided, aud the addl
| tlonal amount from the city TO consumma'
the object in view would he comparative.
| trivial when the great good that woul'
| emanatc from such worthy ana human
! enterprise il taken into consideration.
After these remarks by DR.. Riddell, oI
motion Of Mr.. PiZzini the resolution WI
| referred TO the Committees on Finance
| Health, ard Relief OF the Poor.