The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
LAWRENCE'S LAST HOURS
Conveyed to the Almshouse
Without a Particle of
Covering.
Superintendent Weaver Says He Was
in a Dying Condition-Dr.
Stables Story.

Health Department over the case OF Luigi
Lawrence, who died at the Almshouse on
the 23d inst, after having been refused
admittance to the City and County
Hospital, had not abated yesterday, and
all the officials who had had any connec-
ton with the matter called at the Mayors
office to explain.
Superintendent Weaver of the Aims
house said that when Lawrence was taken
to the institution he was in state of col
lapse. Mr.. Weaver was very indignant
regarding the manner in which he
arrived.
Lawrence, as we understood his name
to be, was brought in the Receiving Hos
pital van," he said.
''lt was easy to see that his case was a
desperate one. He was lying on the bare
floor of the van withouta a particle OF COW
ering, nd was so far gonelthat he had to
be carried into the Almshouse.
"Dr. Condor examined him and found
that his case was beyond hope. In the
condition in which we found him he
City and County Hospital and cared for
until he either died or was sufficiently re-
covered to be removed to the Almshouse.
"This is not the first case that has been
brought to the Almshouse in desperate
condition. One woman died on the way,
after having been directed there from the
City and County Hospital, and man,
another patient, only lived six hours.
II understand that Lawrence was kept
waiting one hour and twenty minutes at
| the City and County Hospital without
medical assistance before an examination
of his condition was made. He appeared
to be a gentleman, was well dressed, and
| should have had at least the attention that
common humanity would prompt"
| Taylor Rogers, the Mayors clerk, said
| that when Lawrence was brought in from
the City and County Hospital he had at
tempted to question him, but the man
| was unable to speak.
The Mayor received the following COM
munication from DIR. Stable, Superin-
tendent of the City and County Hospital,
| in relation to the matter, yesterday:
| Hon Adolph Sutro, Mayor, San Francisco, Cal.
| SIR: ] have the honor TO submit the follow.
| ing reply in answer to your communication OF
| the 26th inst:
| / do not know, nor does any official of this
| hospital, of any patient who was brought here
Thursday in dying condition where admis-
| sion was refused.
l have never refused admission to any appli-
cant whose condition and circumstances as
sured him the care of the City, and l have
| cautioned the resident physician in my alb
sence to be very careful, and err on the side OF
justice.
| one case was brought here last week, the
| name of the patient being Louis de Lenger.
| He had already been an inmate OF this institu-
| ton twice; was suffering from softening OF the
brain, and, on the recommendation OF the
visiting chief, was sent to the Almshouse.
When this patient arrived last week his pulse
| was taken, and nothing indicating weakness
and speedy collapse was found. l then advised
| his friends to take him to the Almshouse, stat
| ing as reason that we were overcrowded; he
had already been taken care of there. and his
o ae eeon
| and surgeons) and section 8 superintendent
| physician), rules and regulations for the gov
ernment OF the City and County Hospital
am willing to explain my action in person
| should you deem it necessary. Very respect
| fully, r. II. STABLE, ND,
Superintendent City and County Hospital.
The doctor also called in person, but did
not see the Mayor.
1t is probable that when all the facts as
| related by the different persons interested
are laid before the Mayor he will make
certain recommendations to the Board of
Health looking to the more careful exami-
nation of applicants for admission to the
| hospitals and for the greater comfort Of
| patients while en- route to these institu-
| tions.
| Celine Falquer, in whose house Lawrence
| lived, at 507 Bush street, said yesterday
| that his complaint was chronic and that he
! had been several times to the City and
County Hospital.
During the different times he was
| there" said he, "he would make SO much
noise while out of his head that he would
greatly annoy the other patients in the
ward. So when went there with him the
| last time the doctor refused to admit him
any more on that account, and we were
| told the Almshouse was the place for him.
I'VE then went to the City Hall. and
| the Mayor gave me an order to admit him
to the Almshouse. He had no property
and no other friends that know of. :"
Madame Falquer did not appear to under
stand the nature of Lawrence's aiiment,
but said she thought something was the
matter with his brain.