The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-01-12
SISTERS OF CHARITY
Extracts From DR.. J. A. Fulton's Re-
port on st. Nary's Hospital.
GOOD WORK THAT is DONE
Many Pesniless Sufferers Find Bsliei at
This IastitutiOs Of charity--The
city's Health.

During the year 1896. between four and
hve hundred persons, representing nearly
every disease that the citizens OF Oregon
and Washington are liable to have, were
admitted into st. Mary's Hospital. A
glance over the yearly records Of this
institution shows that there Is no par
ticular disease 10 which the people OF
this part OF the country are especially
liable. II appears that the brain, lungs
stomach. liver and kidneys are about
equally liable to be the seat Of disease.
II further appears that some diseases,
which have their origin in filth and poor
drainage. have bene less frequent OF late
years, indicating. no doubt, that the sew
ers the city has been building have not
been built In vain
to the hospital for fourteen years, and
Is therefore acquainted with the diseases
which prevail In Astoria, says:
The general health OF the community
may usually be judged from the number
Of sick In the hospital. From 1851 to 1856
typhoid fever was prevalent In and
around Astoria During that time there
were three localities that seemed to breed
typhoid fever. After a good deal of
urging on the part OF physicians, a pond
was drained. a well was filed up and the
use of watsT from a certain spring was
discontinued The number OF cases Of
the fever at once greatly diminished. SO
that. instead OF twenty or thirty cases
being admitted to the hospital. as was
formerly the case. there has never been
more than one-third OF that number in
any one year since. There Is nothing
that pays better dividends than cleanli-
ness and good drainage"
The records of ST. Mary's Hospital
compared with those OF similar institu-
tons elsewhere show very favorabiy for
our home institution. The hospital build
ings have been enlarged and improved,
SO that now no better operating room,
no nicer. brighter private rooms, and no
more perfect and comfortable general
ward can be found anywhere.
The number and Importance OF surgical
cases is noticeable and the reports for
several wears show the number 10 be in-
ereasing. People are learning more and
more every year that a hospital IS the
safest place for a surgical case. Here
are always to be found trained and expe-
Iienced nurses. skilled and experienced
surgeons. and the modern instruments
and appliances needed for such cases.
The report shows that there were opera
tions performed upon the brain, spine.
liver. stomach. the kidneys. and. IN fact.
IL seems that there is no part of the hu-
man body that may not at times be in
vaded by the surgeon in search for the
cause Of human suffering.
The year 1896 was year of hard times,
and one can understand that out Of these
several hundred sick men and women
there were many without money or
friends. II would not be making It too
strong TO say that out Of the entire num-
Der there were few who could pay their
way. Thus 1t may be seen where the
word charity" comes in Here 10 an in
stitution which quietly. unostentationsly.
and with true Christian charity, from
one year to another. does the work to
which the lives Of its members have been
dedicated. How many sick and friendless
men and women have been kindly nursed
back to health every year here we may
not know; but for the noble. self-sacri-
fcing work ever being done by these
sisters Of charity for the homeless. the
sick and the suffering we may all have
words Of praise and ever stand ready
to assist them in their good work.