The Washington times., 1903-06-07
Some Facts About the Noble Charity Institu-
ton Which for Thirb-Three Years Has
MiRistered to Afflicted Tots Whose Par
eRts Are Unable to Pay for Proper Med-
cal Attention. ~ ~ :. ~ ~

are wretched. What outlook favorable
to the happiness or even the health OF
the children dwelling in such districts
can exist? What proper care can be
given them when. as so often happens,
they drag on a life of disease or de-
formity?
In Washington the work of the Chill
dren's Hospital ministers to just such
needs.
For thirty-three years this noble char
ity has been one of the beautiful activi-
ties of Washington's best citizens, and
has provided medical and surgical treat
nent. skilled nursing and help for the
children of those unable to themselves
bear the expenses of such care.
Origin of the Hospital.
DR.. S. c. Busey, one of the attending
physicians of the hospital, gives an in.
teresting account In letter of Deem
Der ID, 1880. to the board of directors
OF the origin and organization of the
Children's Hospital of Washington. He
says:
During the existence of the dispen-
sary attached to Columbia Hospital. I
had charge OF the department of dis
eases of children; and cases Of disease
which could not be properly treated in
a dispensary were so frequently pre-
serted that l was forced to consid - the
propriety OF an attempt to establish a
hospital for this class of persons. In
March, 1870, communicated nv views
to several friends and colleagues, and
after several conferences with these and
prominent citizens of Washington.
among whom ]. C. Kennedy. NJ. W. Gait
S. V. Niles. Joseph H Bradley, IT., and
A. n. Zevely, were prominent, a pre-
liminary organization was formed on No
yember rs, 1S70.''
The organization was rapidly pushed,
and on December a certificate OF in
corporation was issued. Samuel V.
Niles was chosen first president. OF the
original 125 Incorporating members. but
thirty-two now survive.
Opened for Patients in 1871.
The ChiIdren's Hospital was opened
for the reception of patients on Febru-
airy II, 1871, the Dispensary being opened
some days later. The reports of the
board of directors for the first few years
Of its work, are applicable to the present
time. ITO those who have visited the
hospital nothing need be said as to its
usefulness. The need for its establish
ment has been verified by the number
who have received its care. The bene- !
fits of it's benevolence, by the many who
have found relief and comfort within its
and future OF those who have been pluck |
ed from the clutches of disease and |
death-who can estimate? Children |
whose afterlife could only be unhappi- |
ness from suffering, deformity and dis |
ability, have, by the blessing of God, |
been restored to health and comeliness |
and fitted to enter upon the duties and |
enjoyments of life which had promised
only affection and helplessness.
No Class Nor Race Distinctions.
1.-The institution has taken a deep hold
upon the sympathy of this community.
AS it recognizes no distinctive sect,
class, sex. race, or condition, it calls
upon the bounty of everyone. It's doors
stand wide open to the poor. and its only
of those who would come
in. are these very conditions which lay
strongest claims upon benevolence:
childhood. disease. suffering. deformity,
DR. Affections.
ut is manifest to all that even the
arge figures which tell Of the number