The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
Public-Spirited Women Provide
Another Blessing for
the Ailing.
HOME FOR LITTLE SUFFERERS.
An X.Ray tainment Planned to
Raise More Money to Fit
It Out.

SANTA BARBARA, CAL. Oct. 10.-A
| new and important addition is being made
to the Cottage Hospital, that beautiful
| home for the sick provided some years ago
| through the public spirit OF Santa Barbara
women. The hospital is not only literally
patronized by Eastern invalids who seek
| this coast to recruit their failing health
| but has proved great blessing to resi-
dents as well, in cases where surgical
operations become necessary. The operat-
ing-room equipment is second to none
in America, with plate-glass operating
tables and the most perfect aseptic ap-
pliances. The benefits of the hospital
have been freely extended to the poor, and
few institutions in the State have so
modestly performed go much in the way
of charity.
Of late several little children have been
numbered among the patients, and there
was manifest need of pleasant home, re-
tired from the hustle and roar OF the larger
buildings, where these little people could
pass their long hours of conyalescence or
of suffering in the bright sunshine and
surrounded by companionship and diver
sions benefiting their tender years.
With the Cottage Hospital directors to
conceive a good work is to put it into
execution, and almost before the public
was aware that such project was under
contemplation the pretty building was
under way, and stands to-day well nigh
completed, the contest and most delight
full little home for sick children in Cali
fornia.
The Cottage Hospital stands in a pleas
ant clearing beside grove of friendly live
oaks in Santa Barbara's pretty suburb,
Oak Park. The children's building stands
by itself in the ample grounds. It Is
one-storied structure OF symmetrical pro-
portions but simple architecture, facing
south and southeast. and finished with
staff outside. 1t contains two large wards,
well lighted. which, when finished, are to
have rounded angles everywhere, so as to
present no lodging place for disease
breeding dust. Large stone mantels over
hang generous tire-places, where wood
fires will sparkle in chilly weather. The
walls will be prettily tinted, and the
larger of the two wards will be furnished
throughout by Mrs. Ralph Radcliffe
Whitehead, wealthy Montecito lady.
One bed in the smaller ward Will be
fitted up by the st. Cecilia Club, which
will probably maintain free patient here
in addition to the one it now supports in
the hospital. A comfortable bathroom
and neat little diet kitchen, the latter to
be furnished by Miss Osborne, and little
nurses room, which will be furnished by
G. E. Bigelow's gift. with glass doors COM
mandiDg both wards, occupy the remain
der of.the floor space. The most charm
ing feature of the building is the ten-foot
porch running around the south and
southeast front. upon which broad doors
open, SO arranged that on all pleasant
days the little cots can be wheeled
upon it.
This children's annex, modest and SIM
pie as it is, costs pretty sum. Three
hundred dollars must yet be found some-
where and unique plan has been con-
ceived by the authorities to raise it.
This is no less than an X-ray entertain
ment to be given to the people of the
| townNby Richard J. Hall, the physician
under whose direction the hospital has
been conducted for the past year or two,
who has the X-ray in harness, and it has
done wonders at the hospital.
At an X-ray clinic to-day a little child
was brought in-Little Jim, the pet of the
hospital, a beautiful two-year-old boy who
came thither afflicted with ricketts,, but
who, under skilled surgery, is acquiring
very decent pair of legs. These legs were
placed before the Crookes tube, and
through the covering of flesh was seen the
honey structure, now firmly knitting to-
gether again after an adroit operation.
The baby, who is used to surgery and
sharp knives and pain and suffering, bore
the Cimmerian darkness, The strained
position and the prolonged inspection
like wee Trojan, but he heaved sigh of
relief when it was all over.
All the proceeds of the proposed X-ray
entertainment will be used to fit out the
Children's Hospital.