Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-20
THE INFANTS HOME.
DIR. Parker Reviews the Work OF
This Institution.

President w. w. Parker Of the Infants
Home, writes the Dispatch as follows in
giving the annual report Of that institu-
ton:
Before proceeding 10 give our report 1
beg to refer 10 the great Founding Hos
pital of New York. 1 have before me
the reports of 1885, 1890, and 1891. 1t was
founded in 1862 The present building
cost $1,000 1t also has a farm. TO which
in summer it sends it's feeble children.
1t pays yearly to the wet-nurses in New
York city from $4,000 10 SlSOOoO-more
than $4,000 a month. The nurse takes
the child TO her own home, reporting fire.
quently 70 the hospital. These are sup
posed to be the best methods 70 save the
life Of the child. In cases Of very poor
mothers. she is taken with her child TO
the hospital. Sometimes I 100 children are
"out at nurse" From the Surgeons re-
port of 1890 we find:
Remaining IN hospital January lst.. In
Received during the year............... 81
Born in hospital........ ........-..'...... III
Total. ......... ..-...... ...........2,Ie9
Discharged during the year........... so
Returned 10 parents........ ............ III
Otherwise discharged. ...... ........ IL
Died.. ......... ....... .................- Of5
Total. ,....... ...,..-.. ...-.-........l,Vo-
Remaining December 3lst, 1,70
RATE OF MORTALITY REDUCED.
We see the mortality is not half as
great as represented before the nursing
plan was adopted. When large enough
most Of these children are sent 10 the
West. The Institution has abundant
means. The funds are from the city OF
New York and individual donations. Re-
ceived under oneimonth, AZ children; from
six TO twelve months, lh, etc. This in
stitution is under the care Of the Sisters
Of Charity.
We began our hospital early in the
summer of 1896. We commenced with
eight children. Up 70 December, 1897, we
received 48; returned 20 mothers, 4; adopt
ed, 4; remaining in the hospital, 10; died,
80. The first year the death-rate was
very rapid. These deaths occurring the
first summer were due 10 a malignant
cholera infantum. lasting not more than
four days. At one time all died but two.
and they would have died, but we sent
them 10 Albemarle county, where they
remained three months, and returned
next summer. leaving only two, and one
of those sick. ] hurried these of 10 the
Infants Hospital at Virginia Beach. fear-
ing the sick one would die before reach
ing there. / sent our excellent matron
with them. She remained about ten
days, and returned 10 Richmond, with
the sick one hardly improved at all I
desire 10 return thanks 10 the managers
OF that institution for its geneyous kind
ness, and TO my friend. Or. Harris, for
his kind attention to them, for which no
compensation has been asked by either.
Afterwards ! sent these two children to
Hanover, hoping to save them-at least
one. In ten days the Hest one died with
brain disease. This is a sad history.
MAY ADOPT THE PLAN.
We are thinking now OF trying 10 fol-
low the New York plan. Of putting out In
summer the feeblest 70 nurse. but we
fear We cannot raise the money. Our
finances are not in tho best condition.
We We're unfortunate in making some
investments. Notes are not promptly
paid We had TO borrow 500 this month
to meet current expenses We have
$4,000 (the bequest Of DR.. V. W. Brown
81 800 more will come later invested. re-
alizing $500 income. DIT. Hoge's salary
Of 500 per annuni. and the burial ex-
psnses. have made us short OF money.
We hope TO diminish the mortality In
future. We must secure free medical at
tendance. az does every charity hospital
in Richmond and in the United States,
also. Resident physicians In the city get
board, OF course, but no pay There Will
~ No trouhla Ia Nndinv cor1nQfQnt doc