“The advantages of
public hospitals are certainly inestimable, and in large cities they are to a
certain extent a preventive of the spread of diseases. But not too the poor
alone are they of benefit. All who cannot at their own homes obtain that skillful
care so necessary to the sick can in such institutions, at a small cost, obtain
both care and medical treatment that they would not otherwise receive. So
varied are the accidents, and so diversified the forms of suffering, that such
institutions are indispensable.”
Hamilton Times. October 24, 1883.
In 1883, hospitals
were still regarded as places where only the poor got medical care, most people
preferred to remain in their homes when seriously ill.
In the
not-too-distant past, hospitals were considered to be the last resort as the
fear of disease, concerns re unsanitary conditions and the widespread opinion
that woman who chose to be nurses were of less than respectable character.
On October 24, 1883,
the Hamilton Times carried a lengthy article tracing the 36 year history of
hospitals in Hamilton to that point:
“In 1847, the City
Council considered it necessary that an institution of this kind should be
established in Hamilton, and voted a sum of money for that purpose. In 1848, a
piece of ground was purchased at the head of Cherry street, and suitable
buildings erected thereon at a cost of $2,182.
“In the year 1852,
this building was found to be too small, and the property and buildings
situated at the corner of John and Guise streets were purchased at a cost of
$5,000; but to make the buildings suitable for hospital purposes, extensive
repairs were ordered, amounting to $5,248, which made a total cost of $10,248
for buildings and grounds.
“The actual number of
beds for patients amounted at this time to thirty-five. The domestic management
was placed in the hands of a superintendent and a matron. The city physician
visited the hospital once daily to prescribe for the patients and to compound
the medicines.
“In 1861, the City
Council decided to appoint a resident physician, and to place the medical management
under the control of a medical board, to consist of visiting and consulting
physicians. The financial management was then, as now, under the control of the
Hospital Committee, chosen annually by the City Council.
“In 1872, additional
repairs were made which gave a capacity of sixty beds. This building also being
found too defective for hospital purposes, land was purchased in the fall of
1879 for the purpose of erecting a new hospital after the most approved and
modern plans. In the fall of 1880, the contracts were let, and on the 25th
of October 1882, the building was opened for patients.
“The total cost of
ground, building and furnishing amounted to $53,360.76. The present capacity of
the new building is 150 beds, not including private wards.
“Looking back at the
financial history of the hospital, it is found how little the directors are
indebted to the bounty of private individuals. No Bequests, annuities or
donations of money to any considerable amount have ever been made to the
institution. The whole responsibility, therefore, of meeting and defraying the
annual expenses, with the exception of the Government grant, devolves upon the
City Council.
“When it is stated that
no donations or bequests have been made to the hospital, the Times does not
mean to say that no one has taken an interest in hospital affairs, for the
ladies of the city have always shown a great interest in the institution. These
ladies have, from time to time, donated numerous and useful articles, among
which the beautiful screens which have been sent by different ladies are worthy
of special notice.
“The ladies of the
Duffield Flower Mission have been exceedingly kind in their attentions, and
since the month of June have visited the hospital regularly every Wednesday
afternoon, and distributed fruit and flowers among the patients. On the 30th
of August, these ladies gave a garden party on the hospital grounds, and by
their energetic efforts made it a great success. The proceeds were $137 and are
to be devoted to the purchase of feather pillows, of which thirty have already
been procured, and to procuring other comforts for the patients. This is the
first and only public entertainment that has ever been given for the benefit of
the hospital.”1
1 “The City
Hospital : A Brief Sketch of the Excellent Institution : The Work of the Ladies”
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