The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-30
RETREAT FOR THE SICK.
WHERE TIE AFFLICTED CAN RE
CE!yE SCIENCE AND SYMPATHY.
A Work OF Faith Began Withonta Cent 1t
Has Grown Into One II the Grandest
of InstitntIons.

Among the many attempts to follow our
Lords exar PIE 10 minister TO the Sex
and afflicted. that carried out by the
women connected with the Retreat for
the Sick has been most earnest and
ccmmendabIe one Ante-dating. as IL does.
all efforts In our city to provide just what
IFS name has ever exenpli0ed 10 the
fu,les; extent: what skilled science,
watcEful nursing, tenderest sympathy
could give 10 the suffering. IL has proved
itself a stimulus and Inspiration. calling
forth many noble institutions into being
where the balm of healing is freely Of
fered ana tenderly MINI cred
II has been q work Of faith, begun Win
out a cent and with few workers-siccp-
less nights and prayerful hours have
marked its way. The encouragement u
n ront-free building, The cooperation o.
several churches by small monthly
quota. the board OF 4 few patients. in
dividual contributions, and the gTacuai
smoothing away Of prejudice from the
community, opened the way for success.
The first suggestion Of this work was
made to Mrs. jenkins by a physician
realizing the pressing need Of hospital.
especially for surgical cases, in a city
where there was nothing better than the
almshouse.
The first building used was the mfr
nary of the Medical College, which was
offered by that faculty with the idea OF
the patients being clinics. This building
was used for six years rent-frec, but
with the fear OF it's recall constantly i'm
pcnding. as the patients were opposed TO
being treated as clinics. When the sum
mons TO vacate came other quarters had
to he provided on short notice. To the
indefatigablc president at this juncturc
is due the great credit OF sslmlhE inc
resi- onsibility of selecting and purchas-
ing a building, and making the individual
effort to secure funds for its cash pay
mcnt This occurring in midsummer,
when most of the board Of managers were
out of town, and the least amount Of In
terest is usually felt in benevolent af-
fairs. necessitated personal solicitation
from a generous public amid the intense
heat and dust Of July. But, nothing
daunted. $3.50 were raised, a location
won. and a nucleus made for the present
commodious quarters. The building Sc
cured was an old family residence, with
large, airy rooms though few in number
the grounds were ample. 1t seems
strange to account for the way the re
naming payments We're met AT times
II would seem as If the Hcaven-scnt funds
were almost miraculously provided.
Then the inadequate quarters had 10
be enlarged TO meet the demands of pa
tents First in 1882 by the addition OF
a wing Of three stories, and In 1893 by
an annex Of two stories.
over 5000 patients OF all classes have
here met care and attention that their
own homes could never have Furnished
To many, souls as well as bodies have
been blessed. and this house has proved
the gateway 10 Heaven. From its very
beginning. though without purse or
scrip. its work of charity began; minis
terng to the sick poor board, lodging
nursing. and in most cases, medical at
tendance and medicine.
In its record of eighteen years over $50
free patients have been thus provided for.
receiving 81 900 days Of hospital treat
ment Church and cot funds provide TOT
many free patients besides these. There
are three Episcopal cots for children
two are endowed-The Churchman and
Bullyley cots. The third, the cot OF the
Holy Innocents, needs but small amount
TO complete its quota which it is hoped
will be contributed shortly.
The Presbyterians have two cots; one
is partly endowed. the "Presbyterian.' the
other. the Maude Matthews Memorial, Is
annually supported by the parents III
memory OF a loved daughter.
The Baptists and Methodists have each
n cot partly endowed. These seven cots
are most always occupied by little SUI
fcrers; their bright faces often testify
ing that their pain is forgotten, amid the
many comforts and pleasures provided LOT
them. 4 marked feature OF the work OF
the Retreat has been the relieving of the
doformities of children.
4 cot for incurables is partly endowed,
The Floral Mission. a band Of young girls
have this in charge, and are earnestly
working to complete the endowment.
Among the wards are several furnished
by churches i'm memory Of a faithful rec
tor. whose ministrations had been blessed
TO the inmates. Others bear the name az
the church itself. The Hebrew Ward Is
well fitted and generously supported. The
Masonic Ward has been fitted by the
lodges OF the city. Comfortable quarters
are provided for sick sailors and railroad
employees needing medical treatment.
Also two wards for colOred patients.
Thus equipped 20 serve all phases or
suffering humanity. the Retreat has
striven TO be fully abreast with the
times: TO let q continued progress mark
its yearly growth to obtain as soon as
practica bic the newest inventions In medl-
cal appliances. In the recent improve
rnents to its building. several rooms have
been erected. including dining-room,
kitchen, pantry and stOrc-room. An cleo
trio elevator and thoroughly-app
OptI3UUS-IDOM nave diHD '''i 1'NN- "
the establishment.
Great efforts are being made TO improve
the system of nursing. \ training school
established during the past year. provides
lectures for nurses from physicians OF
the city, and gives practical instruction
BY trained head-nurse. Massage instrnc-
ton is also given.
The board Of directors is composed OF
the most prominent gentlemen OF the
city, IN intelligence. judgment, wealth.
and social position. Their counsel and as
sistance is OF the greatest value 10 the
institution. The lady managers have en-
tire control Of the household in every
department. and are untirlng IN their Ell
forts to secure every comfirr possible
TO its inmates.
The Retreat, thus standing on neutral
ground. differs from all other hospitals In
its social features. The unusually home
Ike atmosphere of this Institution at
tracts all visitors. Patients coming into
its every day life realize that fact 10 liz
fullest extent