Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-25
TO the Editor Of the Dispatch.

it swells,
Now trims the midnight lamp in college
cells;
IT'S Tory, Wing, it plots, prays, pleads,
breaches,
Arraigns in Senates and in m%asquerades.
It aids the writer's heart, the dancer
head.
Nor ends in life, but mods in sable plumes,
And heaps the plains of mountains Ger
the dead.
All this for the sake Of praise, yet the
officials. Of this institution should appre-
ciate what follows, OH the more. from
the fact that I write this without their
knowledge, or even a suggestion from any
one.
The world Of to-day is beginning 10
give a man or n woman credit and recog-
milton. based largely upon meritorious
deeds. gallant and deserving conduct,
even though the person he Of very hum
BILE birth, humber surroundings. and
IN m%ercenary straits. The time is at
hand when superiority of Intellectually,
with all its forces concentrated in the
right direction. will take precedence and
gain the %asccndancy over titles inherited
by birth and riches procured in the same
way. The greatest moral restraining IN
nuence known to humanity is suggested
in these words: do unto others as You
would wish 20 be done by under the
same or similar circumstances." This
condition Of affairs exists throughout the
| institution. prevalent in the minds Of tho
inmates as well as officials.
THE OFFICERS.
The present corps OF officers came Into
power in July. 1895. Since that time eX-
! tensive improvements have been made as
70 the condition OF the buildings. caretu!
and svmpathetic manner OF conducting
the daily routine Of issuing medicines,
meals. clean wearing apparel, bed-cloth-
! ms. eto., etc.
Dr.. John G Treviian, chief OF the medi-
cal staff. and Drs. A. C. Brown and VII
liam Gwathmey, residGrr physicians and
| house SURGEONS. are men of exceptional
/ ability in their profession. as is substan-
tiallv proven by the hundreds or people
thew have successfully treated, and sent
away cured. Many cases Of laudanum
| poisoning. alcoholism, heart-disease, etc.
have been received when the patient was
almost dead. and entertained little or no
hone OF recovery: yet these gentlemen,
| EH tnG4l DldtANCal hAip"AN@6N -
ment and skilful treatment thereon,
brought the sufferers out all right and
mt them in good physical condition TO
! onmen anew life's toll and formidabiy
cope with the most perverse adversary
or reverse circumstance. From a profess
sional standpoint. these physicians have
few superiors and fewer equals.
THE CASES TREATED.
During the year 1897 COS patients were
reoesved at this institution for medical
treatment. Of which Az were whites and
49, colored; 293 females, 55 men, and "
children. The number discharged during
tbe GEAR 1897 was AL whites. $40 colored.
Total. 700. Deaths during the same year
% whites. lis colored. Total III.
Tho nativity of the patients admitted
stood as follows: City OF Richmond, 23S;
Virginia. az; Tennessee, 3; New York, %;
Georgia. 10: North Carolina, Sls South
Carolina. S; Maryland, Is; Ohio, s; WASH
ington. d. c., y; Missouri, 2; Massa-
chusetts. l; Pennsylvania, 10; other states,
80; England, -; Ireland, q; Germany, IS;
| France, ]; italy, 2; Scotland, A. other
foreign countries, 8. Grand total, sos.
The nature of the various ailments,
showing the physical condition Of all
these patients. is too varied to enumorate,
but IT is a fact tina nearly every disease
known TO the medical profession has been
treated here, as well az almost every
kind of operation performed known to
surgery.
AMBULANCE SERVICE
The next feature Of his institution TO
which call your attention, is the prompt
-ambnIance service. Mr.. Philip Neisz. the
ambulance driver, is on duty day and
night. and it frequently occurs on a colo,
stormy. dark night. there comes q cal
for the ambulance from some remote
LEGALITY. where Il woman has taken lauda-
MN with suicidal intent, or some man
bas heen shot in a saloon during q drunk
on melee. requiring immediate medical at
tertion. on these occasions you Will see
phil" with his noble steed, driving at
Lreokneck speed. out into the darkness of
NIGHT. belter-skelter, peli-mell, into by
,,ave through near cuts, and down the
street. hurrying onward and op, the clash
and rumbling Of the wheels growing
fainter and fainter as tho distance in
creases. .
II &c often the case that a-few minutes
DELAY would mean certain death 70 the
patient. and by taking advantage of
every moment medical skill is enabled TO
rssus6itate the afflicted, and restore them
10 normal conditions.
THE MATRON.
Another distinctive feature Of the in
etitution hinges upon the services or Mrs.
Florence w. MacDougall, who fills the
~position Of matron, having charge Of the
diets clothing. and bedding. There Is
served 10 each patient i'm the hospital
either light or general diet three times
ner day. The matrOn personally prepares
and apportions the quantities FOR these
diets. keeping a visilant lookout to see
that every plate, knife, fork, and spoon
is scruuulously clean. She also conducts
Tho large ~dining-room, where about TWEEN
tv-fl1,e females and forty men are fed
daily.
Mrs. MacDougall has been in her pres
ent position for six years. She is an esti-
mable and refined lady. held in high es-
teem by the other officials, and treated
with the greatest respect, and truest
courtesy by the patients, both male and
female, as she passes through the wards
with a pleasant smile and kind. word for
each. Remembering mother and sisters.
is il any wonder, then, that we say: The
noblest creature living is a good woman"
A SPLENDID CHARITY.
This hospital Is a home for the sick and
afnicted I'm destitute circumstances Here
they win meet kind and friendly officers,
also patients who are ever ready 10 confer
j favor. The conyalescants who are able
"a he up and around will assist the nurses
In waiting upon and attending the wants
of the fecbler patients who are unable 10
rise. IL reminds one of a large family
with sickness I'm the home.
In conclusion, citizens, friends. and
I'D a IaInAU hand IN pfIp