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increased and has continued to do so each succeeding year, as the tabulated statements embodied in the reports of the staff show. The work, both in the dispensary and emergency departments, has become more perfectly organized, and a well regulated system has been the outcome of experience and necessities. Good works have carried the name of the institution into every corner and recess of this populous city, and there are no better known figures in the streets and avenues than the good gray horse "Frank" and his ambulance.

The first "Donation Day" was on March 17, 1894, and it yielded $458 in money and about $500 in supplies.

In this short résumé it has not been possible to mention by name all the gentlemen who have, from time to time, constituted the boards of directorship. Many not occupying official position have been as faithful and energetic as those who did, and all have had the welfare of the institution at heart. Many noble women, too, have given their time, labor, and money to the work. Everything has not gone smoothly at all times, but it would be safe to say that harmony has prevailed in the management of the affairs of this hospital to a much greater extent than in most institutions of its kind. It is the one hospital in our city in which the medical men who do the work have an equal share in the management of its affairs. The good effect of this is seen in many ways. It has brought laymen and medical men into more intimate relations and allowed the laymen to have a more perfect knowledge of the workings of the hospital, and has thus enabled the business men of the board to act with a more intelligent comprehension of its actual needs.

It has been the boast that the management has done, under this organization, more for the money they had than would have been otherwise possible, and they are proud of the manner in which the finances have been managed. Mr. D. W. Middleton was the first treasurer. He was followed by Mr. Edward Temple, then came Mr. Eugene Morgan, and after him Mr. C. J. Bell, whose capable work all are familliar with, served until circumstances which he could not control forced him to give up his post. Mr. W. B. Gurley was then elected and served until last year, when he resigned, and the hospital was fortunate enough to secure the services and interest of the present incumbent, Mr. John B. Wight.

In the matter of medical education most excellent work has been done. The clinics and operations are attended by crowds of students, and in many fields the facilities for instruction are not surpassed by institutions of much greater pretensions, and the motto in this as in all other departments is still "Excelsior."

WASHINGTON HOME FOR INCURABLES.

IV.

99

The Washington Home for Incurables was incorporated for a term of fifty years, under the general incorporation act, on March 6, 1889. The particular object and business of the association, as stated, is the care of indigent incurable persons of both sexes. Persons who contribute $5 yearly, or over $30 in ore sum, become members of the association. The articles name as the board of management for the first year: Mrs. Katharine Everett, president; Mrs. E. Snowden Bell, vice-president; Miss I. Corson, secretary; Mrs. E. Phillips, corresponding secretary; Thomas Hyde and E. Francis Riggs, trustees; Mrs. E. Phillips, treasurer.

The hospital was first opened in Mount Pleasant, at No. 1503 Meridian avenue. About 1892 an attractive site was secured north of Road street, between Thirty-first and Thirty-second streets, for $12,047, and a building that cost, including the furnishings and equipment, $56,736.38 was constructed. The price of the lot and $28,000 additional were given by Miss Kibbey; there was an anonymous contribution of $10,000; and Mr. M. W. Galt gave $500 for the gas fixtures. From the proceeds of the sale of the lot in Mount Pleasant, the gift of Mrs. G. V. Fox, the hospital realized $2,000. From the sale of its Mount Pleasant property the sum of $4,000 was realized in notes, so that practically the debt is $1,000, now canceled.

Until July 1, 1896, the hospital received no aid from Congress, but for the fiscal years 1896-97 and 1897-98 appropriations of $2,000 per annum have been made. During the year 1896 private gifts to the amount of $7,503.24 were received, besides $312.10 from the two endowment funds raised, respectively, by the Georgetown and the Washington Ladies' Aid Societies, and $1,524.34 from other sources.

The earnest and wide interest taken in the hospital by the benevolently disposed people of the District is shown in the report of the trustees for the year 1895-96. During the year Mrs. Hearst opened her picture gallery for the benefit of the institution, and $1,276.86 was realized; a letter-chain scheme, proposed by Mrs. Jackson, brought $1,730.95, letters coming from almost every State and Territory, and from Canada and Europe; Mrs. N. S. Lincoln suggested and carried through the "Woman's issue of The Times," of July 5, 1896, which netted $1,010; from the bequest of Michael McKeon, an inmate of the Soldiers' Home, came $3,097.68; from Mrs. Edward Wolcott's bequest came $40,000, and probably $20,000 additional when the estate shall be settled (now $63,713.64), the income to be used to establish and maintain a ward for crippled children, to be known as "The Lolie Wolcott ward;" Mrs. George L. Bradley has paid the salary of a nurse, and Miss Noble, Miss Ernst, and Mme. de Chambrun contribute $300 a year to support a cancer ward. A bicycle parade at the Eclipse Park, managed by Mrs. W. J. Boardman, realized $1,249.76, and Mrs. Hearst added to her other bounties a gift of $500.

This interest in the hospital was aroused by efforts on the part of the management quite in proportion to the results. The statement made in the president's report for 1895-96 very fairly explains the situation:

By continual effort on the part of the managers, the annual subscription list has gone up $267-for the past year is $1,117-and there is no question but that by persistent and renewed efforts it can be largely increased. Two most generous friends have told me they will give $100 a year if 100 people can be found to do the same. That I scarcely think possible; nor is it quite fair that the burden should be borne by 100 people alone, but I think 25 could be found to give $100, and 50 to give, respectively, $50, $25, $20, and $15 a year apiece; 100 to give $10, and 200 to give $5 a year. That would be only 525 persons in all, and by a determined effort they could be found and held. That would give us $10,000, which, with our pay patients, would enable us to extend our work, and never have recourse to the wretched methods now in vogue for raising money-a system which is fast making it impossible to induce any but rich people to serve on boards, and is fast disgusting the public.

During 1896, 21 persons were admitted and 17 died, leaving a population of 40 on January 1, 1897. The mortality of the institution is remarkably small when it is taken into consideration that persons from all the hospitals are received who are pronounced absolutely incurable, and who have no one to shelter them. The expense also of the interment of so many friendless persons is considerable. The hospital thus far has received only white persons. The officers are: Mrs. Archibald Hopkins, president; Mrs. William J. Boardman and Mrs. J. L. Hodge, vice-presidents; Mrs. Addison, recording secretary; Mrs. J. Y. Taylor, corresponding secretary; Mr. B. P. Mimmack, treasurer; Messrs. Thomas Hyde and E. Francis Riggs, trustees; Drs. John R. Wellington, Arthur A. Snyder, Henry B. Deale, and Sterling Ruffin, medical staff; Dr. William H. Fox, in charge of diseases of the eye and ear; Miss Purman, matron; Dr. J. Carleton Haas, resident physician.

V.

In addition to the institutions already mentioned are a number whose status is not clearly defined. A hospital has been organized recently in connection with the medical department of the Georgetown College. The Sibley Memorial Hospital, erected a few years ago, is now closed for want of funds to maintain it. The medical department of the Columbian University has established, and is about to put into operation, a hospital in connection with that school.

The Eastern Dispensary, located at 217 Delaware avenue NE., was organized April 13, 1888, and occupies a rented building. It receives an appropriation of $1,000 a year from Congress, and its expenses are about $300 in excess of the appropriation.

The Woman's Dispensary, located at the corner of Maryland avenue and Four-and-a-half street SW., was incorporated June 18, 1883, and occupies premises rented from Mrs. M. J. Stroud. The District Commissioners have made the institution an allowance of $500 a year from the appropriation for the relief of the poor, and the annual income from private gifts, as last reported, was $348.82.

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