Year: 1863




visit to this hospital, situated on the corner of
Main and 25th streets, few days ago, for
the purpose of getting some Insight into the
manner in which such establishments are
conducted, having been previously profound
iy ignorant upon that subject it is, as our
readers are probably aware, under the charge
Of DR.. A. G. Fox, of Loudon, gentleman of
acknowledged skill in his profession, and Of
most polite and agreeable manners. In this
latter respect we found the reputation of the
establishment fully sustained by his assistants
In company with DR.. F. we made the tour Of
the building, and publish this as the resrls Of
our observations.


The hospital is large and commodious
building, having been originally one of those
immense tobacco factories for which Rich
mond has been 30 long famous. 1t ia admira-
bly, ventilated, the numerous windows and
doors atfording every facility for that purpose
The wards are entirely separate and distinct
The beds are excellent, and are all supplied
with hair mattresses. Baths, both shower
and plunge, have been fitted up for the use of
such patients al are in condition to use
them, and are supplied with plentiful stream
of running water. They are, indeed, the best
baths we know of in the city. A reading desk,
upon which all the morning papers are laid
every morning, is placed for the benefit of the
patients, and to those who are recovering it
must be a source of Infinite pleasure. We
were shown into the operating room, which
Is fitted up in the best hospital style for oper
ating; but we cannot say we felt much pleasure
at tho sight. On the contrary, we fancied that
we had pain in the leg the whole time we
were in the room. We understand, however,
that modern improvements have greatly di-
1iuio ohoIt I he moi, 49, 1a<
is cut of and all the arteries are tied up in y
few minutes. We passed next through the
linen room, where the linen of the hospital is
kept, and thence to the drug store. The latter
is superintended by one OF the most accom-.
plished chemists in the State. There is also a
hall for religious services attached to the hos.
pital-a most important provision. The kitch-
en- is remarkable for the cleanly style in which
1t is kept.


Indeed, an air of cleanliness and comfort
reigns throughout the establishment, and at
once strikes the eye Of the visitor. 1t must
have been a herculean task to have brought
tobacco factory to that state. The floors,
we understood, were at first stained deeply
with tobacco and licorice, besides being other
wise very dirty. Bat all this has been recli.
fed, and no private parlor is now neater than
the rooms of the Howard. So much for en-
ergy and intelligence.


DIR. Fox, the Surgeon, is, as we have said,
native of Loudon. He lied from the Yam
KEGS with two brothers at the first invation Of
his county, and joined the Confederates. He
is certainly the right man in the right place
for, besides that his practice has been emf
nently successful, his heart is 80 full of be.
nevolence towards the unfortunate sufferers
that their looks brighten whenever he comes
among them. He has kind word for every
one of them, addressing each Individually
His presence seems to be as cheering as visit
of the sun after a long spell of clouds and
rain. We have already said that his practice
has been eminently successful, and we have
never heard doubt expressed with regard to
his skill and talent. Yet we think he does almost
as much by his kind manner as by the use Of
more direct remedies. He cheers up the sink.
ing hero by cheerful word, and endeavors to
make him forget his suffering for moment at
least. How important this is, all who know
what powerful agent the mind is in the re-
storation of an invalid will at once perceive.


This is the only hospital of which we have
seen anything. We understand they are all
wonderfully improved. If they be all equal
to this we may boast of very complete hospi-
tai arrangements.


r. S.-We omitted to allude to the laundry,
pantry, and matron's room. They are all ad-
mirably arranged.