Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-10-01

Annual Report Of Dr. Purvts-He Makee
q Plea for Unfortuate CoiOred Girls.

DIR. c. b. Purvis, the surgeon-in-chief OF the
Freedmen's hospital, in his annual report, lust
submitted to the Secretary OF the Interior.
states that 2, l31 patients were admitted To the
hospital and cared for during the last fiscal
year, which was an increase OF Ill over last
year. OF the whole number treated, 734 were
colored males, 694 were colored females 59o
were white males and l07 were white females.
The report states that these figures will correct
the impression that the hospital is confined to
or designed for any special class. "The man.
agemeuL" continues the report, "has bent
every effort TO make IL a desirable place tor all
The unfortunate sick who may seek admission"
During the year there were 2OO surg lcal opera
tions performed, with great success, Line prin-
cipal ones being as follows: Amputation OF
thign, =; OF leg, z; OF forearm, L; metacarIal
bones, OF fingers, toes, 2; remov al Islily
tumors, IL; OF keloid tumors, 3; OF fioered
wounds, DO There were III cases OF confine-
ment, an increase ol % over last year. LAS L
have reported each Year" remarks the doctor,
"nearly ali OF these cases are colored. deem IL
my duty, as simple act OF Justice, 10 anticipate
any untavorable comment that may be msde
against the uniortunates, Tor sucn they are.
My contact with these people has been such as
10 enable me 10 say u good word for them. They
are not bad women; not lewd; they belong 10
the laboripg class; are generally house servants
who are ignorant OF the laws governing good
society. They are without education ana have
fiuence. They truly have been taken advan
tage Of As rule they Industrious, aud
almost Invariably provide and care Tor their
children after leaving the hospital. How they
manage 70 support them upon their scanty
earnings is u marvel 1t Is matter OF regret
that there In no way OF reaching the fathers of
these children ana making them contribute 70
their support"
About ls6 ex-soidiers have been admitted
and treated. These persons come from all
parts OF the country 10 LOOK sfter claims. Many
Decome sick, aud upon the recon ndation OF
the commissioner Of pensions are admitted 70
the hospital. A large percentage OF admissions
Is upon the Recommendation oil the police.
From this source 19o were admitted.
In the dispensary attached 10 the hospital
3,Ou2 persons have been prescribed Tor. An add.
uoual appropriation OF $500 Is asked 10 enable
the employ ment OF additional nurses.
Religious services are conducted three times
a week by students OF the Theological depart.
ment OF Howard university, who also visit the
SICK, write letters lor them, DC. kev. Fathen
j. A. DE Ruyter and L. Hurley, oi Augustine
churca, Rev. Father z. ]. Ryan, OF the IInmac.
uate Conception churcn, aud Rev. Irving No
been constant visitors, Mrs. Ada E. spurgeon,
a missionary Tor the Church OF the Epipha ny, ,
has served the sick In various ways, and Las
been the means oi securing homes for quite .
number after they had recovered. There were
2l2 deaths during the year, OF which 81 died
The occupations OF the patients are given ~
follows: servants. AL; laoorers, 34S; ex-eol-
diers, lS6; walters, 90; drivers, 3D. farmers, 45;
cooks, "a; clerks, 70; sailors 70; carpenters, 10;
dresses, l5; boatmen, gardeners, l5; huck-
STEERS, 10; brickiayers, lS; brick makers, IL:
BARRIERS, IL; porters, IL; coachmen, 10, hostlers,
10, &c. The nativity OF the patients 10 as fol.
lows: Virginia, 6ls; District OF Columbia, $780,
Maryland, 345; Ireland, l3s; Pennsylvania,
England, %, &c There remained IN the ho0pS
TAI ON June 30, 237 patients.