1883 - July 23rd

It was an unannounced visit by the young man from the Spectator, but he was welcomed and given a tour of the hospital.

The column which resulted from the visit follows:

“Neither the resident physician nor any of his aides were at the hospital when the SPECTATOR reporter called the other day, but, through the courtesy of the matron, a light-footed young lady showed him over the building, pointing out such features as would prove interesting to him.

“There are between 50 and 60 patients now in the institution. In one of the wards, eight or ten men were in bed, while one, who seemed to be suffering from general weakness, sat with his head leaning on a table. Here and there flowers were to be seen, and the rooms were made light and airy as possible. An apartment at the end of the male was set aside for the use of convalescent patients, several of whom were engaged in reading and playing draughts

“However clean and neat it may be, there is always something depressing about a hospital. One cannot lose sight of suffering humanity when it is brought directly to his notice. But what would the world be without such institutions? What would become of the poor and the afflicted if man’s generosity did not prompt him to open these places of refuge for the needy and the suffering?

“The Hamilton hospital is situated on Barton street. It is a brick building of goodly proportions. The center building is occupied by the resident physician and his assistants, and the matron and the nurses. One wing is for the use of male patients, and the other for female. Everything in and around the building gives evidence of careful management. All the appliances which science has devised for the treatment of diseases and for the alleviation of human suffering have been taken advantage of in furnishing the hospital. The medical attendance is the most efficient, and the matron and nurses are said to rank with those of any similar institution in Canada.

“Many people are prone to look upon the hospital much in the same light as the look upon the workhouse – the last resort for needy people, and think that it is something in the nature of a disgrace to seek admission to one. This is a very fallacious view to take. Hospitals are now so excellently conducted that patients admitted to them receive as good if not better treatment and attendance as they would in their own homes.

“A visit to the hospital in this city will convince anyone that it is well-equipped for the purposes for which it is intended. Dr. Woolverton, the superintendent, has the institution in perfect running order, and is ably seconded by Mrs. Carmichael, the matron. If there is one charitable institution which requires more than another a generous support at the hands of the public, it is the general hospital.”¹

¹ “In the Hospital : A Few Remarks Anent the Barton Street Institution.”

Hamilton Spectator.   July  23, 1883.

 

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