New-York tribune., 1900-08-16
LITTLE CRIPPLES HELPED.
MANY OF THE PATIENTS AT THE LAURA
FRANKLIN FREE HOSPITAL ARE
SENT AWAY CURED.

Among the many private charities OF New-York
City have q more vitality useful mission than
the Laura Franklin Free Hospital for Crippled
Children AZ Nos L and 1s East One-hundred- and
eleveuth-st-
L was founded BY Mr and Mrs Franklin H.
Delano Crhe latter named being one of the Astor
fa1ily) n memory Of a niece who died from burns
accidentally received Her sufferings suggested to
the founders the idea Of helping those who were
TOO poor 10 purchase any alienation in such cases
and the hospital named for Laura Franklin was
their tribute 70 beloved memory. It was incor-
porated IN 1sg2 At that tine It placed in the
charge OF the Episcopal Sisterhood OF ST. Mary.
and has been in the personal care Of members OF
that order ever since. Last spring. however. they
decided 10 put trained nurse IN charge, and an
associate Of the order, Miss Sophie z. Spencer
graduate OF the Presbyterian Hospital. is
superintendent All the head nurses graduates.
and school has been started in connection with
the hospital for special training Of nurses In the
medical and surgical OF children
The hospital is q commodious building with every
modern appliance, and the wards are most at
tracCve n their soft yellow and white coorngs,
fresh bright and clean. Each ward has pantry.
baths and isolating room for the little patient
who may have whooping cough or other infectious
Or contagious disease when he enters. The wards
now II use accommodate hfty-1our, and there IS
also large outdoor department that gives re-
lief and cure TO many who cannot be cared for
within the hospital, OF whose cases are not so
severe as 70 need its constant care.
The house is supported by endowment and
voluntary contributions. There is associate
gld OF society 10 assist Il, in the Of many
similar institutions, and no appeal is ever made
for contributions. All must come unsought
There are decorations il the wards, except the
beauty Of order and spotless cleanliness as mod
science DEGREES the absence of anything that
might harbor dust and microbes in sick chambers.
many good copies IN oil Of famous paintings most
y BY the old masters. The chapel is a lovely
room with stained glass windows. carved oaken
seats and most beautiful old tapestry draping
The wall behind the altar.
some OF the cases now under treatment are deep
y interesting Twins with exactly similar trouble
were brought there 70 be operated upon. The oper-
ati0ns were successful and the twins will soon go
home cured 4 little Italian girl IS receiving treat
STATED breaking the bones Of each a number Of
ZINES One leg was bowed and the other
TIE 5ov-lez -ss beer er+freIy sTTaighfened and r.
60 much improved that the next operation probably
VII complete the process OF Strengthening, and the
child Vii out with full use Of her limbs She IS
one of family II nine all OF whom have e pre-
cisely similar deforultty in varying degrees baby
braces The softness Of the bones made the
breaking unnecessary. When first the steel
strapped boots were put on she could wear them
only few minutes At q time, the pain was so IN
tense Now she wears them all day and seems
remarkable operation the results Of which the
y n 2 h m III m w viii be nerfornoed I-11 II
The result Of the first makes It seem advisable and
= the brain should be made TO assume normal
functions the surgeons VIII feel triumphant indeed.
There are spinal cases being treated 0y various
methods Some are IN plaster jackets for months
q time Some are hung on tripods for specl-
I'D time day after day. Every variety Of hip
disease Is represented. and the list OF operations
during the year shows rweuty-four distinct kinds
Of the 1856 patients treated IN the Laura Franklin
HosprsI last year 105 were discharged cured and
p much improved Only were not permanently
benefited 80
The care OF the hospital does not always end with
the cure Recently little girl who was treated
T0v : severe form Of skin disease TO be dis
charged as cured. Il found that her family
nzS 5issDpesred leaving trace, and the supertn-
rerdent was obliged 70 find a home for her. This
she aid and the child is now much happier than
ir al her previous life.