The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-05-29
The Plymouth Hospital.

An interview with Col. C. ]. Murphy
gives the following in reference to the Ply
mouth Hospital. .asai. e. .
The management Is under the entire su-
pervision Of that most excellent lady, Miss
Alice Fisher, whose experience in similar
duty has been so extensive She is highly
cultivated and refined lady, whose heart
and soul are in her work, and whose kind
aud sympathetic work fits her 80 well for
this charitable duty, and who beroically
volunteered TO come on here when she
heard Of the distress among the sick poor
to spend, as she says, her vacation. A la
borious one, must say. This noble wo-
man moves through these sad wards Of the
hospital an angel Of mercy. Another is
Florence Nightingale (with whom she was
co-worker in England). The poor, suf-
fering sick are cheered by her tender hand
and her sympathizing heart, and cannot
refrain from also paying brief tribute of
respect and gratitude to the other ladies
who are assisting her in this noble and hu.
name duty, namely: Mrs. Andrews, Mrs.
Van Demme, Mrs. Borrows, and Mrs. Kir-
win, all experienced and most interesting
ladies, who thoroughly understand nursing
the sick, and are 80 ably cooperating with
Miss Fisher in her workk. Their devotion
is really most commendable. During my
short service at that hospital as a night
watcher, when they are short of nurses l
was perfectly surprised to see these refined
and cultivated ladies cheerfully and tender.
ly do duty in the mems ward, that in my
opinion was only fit to be done by male
nurses, and they appeared to perform those
disagreeable services as 1t were for Gods
sake, and for the love they bear for their
fellow men. Such devotion will certainly
have its reward, If not in this world it will
in the next, as no money recomrense is ad-
equate for such devotion to suffering hui
manity.
These ladies are all Catholics, with the
exception of Miss Fisher, who is a high
Church Episcopalian, and who is most
intimate friend and admirer OF His Emf
nence Cardinal Newman. But they ask no
questions whether the patient is Catholic
or Protestant, the fact that there is broth.
er sick or dying moves all their sympathies
and with humanity enobled and intensified
by christian faith they devote themselves
as taught by their Lord, to the relief OF
| those who are sick. Their mission is chan
ity and good will to ALL and they have en-.
deared themselves already to so many and
poured consolation into the minds of those
| of our poor afflicted ones.
would be recreant to my duty did fail
to mention the eminent services of the
medical staff, Drs. Waterman, Zauner and
Daggett, of Philadelphia, all of whom vol
unteered to come here and attend on the
sick, and who are devoting themselves
night and day to this humane duty, and as
| proof of their devotion and skill they
have not lost single patient by death.
| Those under the charge are progressing Ia
fair prospect of aspeedy recovery. And l
would advise friends OF the sick to by al
means send them to the hospital II they
cannot provide for them comfortably al
home, as there they have the very best OF
medical attendance at all hours, proper
food, and the kindest of attention. DR..
Biddle, of Philadelphia, is also very active
in looking after the interests OF the sick o.
plymouth, and the people of this borough
will ever remember the kind friends o
Philadelphia for the great aid rendered
them.
There are at present between 700 and
800 persons afflicted with the fever Eigh,
deaths occurred on Saturday last which
was greater than any day previous, with
one exception since the beginning of til,
epidemic. The average daily death il
about four.