USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Professional and industrial history of Suffolk County, Massachusetts, Volume III > Part 19
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1 A curious incident happened in connection with the formation of the Medical Society. The name of John Sprague appears among those mentioned in the Act of Incorporation; and accord-
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MEDICAL HISTORY.
The first meeting of the corporation was duly held in the county court house on November 28, 1781, at which time there were present nineteen of the thirty-one persons whose names are given in the Act of Incorporation. The court house of that period stood on the site of the present one in Court street. The first vote passed was that the officers at this meeting should be chosen pro tempore; and subsequently "Ed- ward Augustus Holyoke Esq:" was elected president, "Doct'r Isaac Rand jun'r " secretary, and " Doct'r Thomas Welsh," treasurer.
About this time (1783) the Boston Medical Society was organized for the study of anatomy. Its only known work was in promoting the growth of the Medical School, just then coming into existence, and whether swallowed up by the larger Massachusetts Medical Society or superseded by the demonstrations at the school, it soon disappeared from view.
Of the thirty-one who are named in the act of 1781 as incorporators of the Massachusetts Medical Society, fourteen were residents of Bos- ton, and are worthy of special mention, as being among the successful organizers who thus gave position to the profession; their names are here grouped together.
Nathaniel Walker Appleton, Benjamin Curtis, Samuel Danforth, Aaron Dexter, Joseph Gardner, Charles Jarvis, Thomas Kast, John Linn, James Lloyd, James Pecker, Isaac Rand, jr., John Warren, Thomas Welsh, Joseph Whipple.
At this time Dedham and Weymouth were parts of Suffolk county, and we should therefore include John Sprague, of Dedham, and Cotton Tufts, of Weymouth.
Accounts of each will be found among the biographical sketches.
We here give a brief account of the existing medical societies; some confine their membership to residents of Boston; others, like the Mas- sachusetts Medical Society, while they hold their meetings here, have no limit as regards residence but the boundaries of the Common- wealth.
ingly Dr. John Sprague, of Dedham, was present at the early meetings and took part in the pro- ceedings. This continued until July 18, 1782, when Dr. John Sprague, of Newburyport, was chosen a member. At the meeting of the councillors, held October 4. 1782, a reply to the notification of his election was read, wherein he stated that he was the senior physician of the name in the State, and that he considered himself already a member by the charter. Dr. Sprague, of Dedham, who was present at the time, quietly resigned his supposed membership; but he was chosen again a member at the same meeting.
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SUFFOLK DISTRICT MEDICAL SOCIETY.
This society was organized in 1849, and includes in its membership all Fellows of the Massachusetts Medical Society residing in Boston (proper), East and South Boston, Chelsea and Winthrop. The society is divided into a number of sections, to each of which is assigned the investigation of a particular branch of medicine.
BOSTON MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
This association is made up of a majority of the regular physicians of Boston, who establish the code governing practice, and the fees to be charged.
BOSTON SOCIETY FOR MEDICAL OBSERVATION.
This society was organized in 1835, discontinued in 1838, and re- established in 1846. Its object is "to make its members good observers of disease, to collect and arrange accurately recorded facts in the fur- therance of the cause of medical science, and to publish from time to time the results of the observation of such facts." Its active member- ship is limited to forty, who must be members of the Massachusetts Medical Society, living in Boston. It has also associate and corres- ponding members. Active and associate members of twenty years' standing are eligible for election as honorary members. It takes and circulates among its members the leading foreign and American medical journals. Its library is deposited in the rooms of the Medical Library Association.
BOSTON SOCIETY FOR MEDICAL IMPROVEMENT.
This society was incorporated March 20, 1869, for mutual professional improvement in the different branches of medical science. Its meet- ings are held at the hall of the Medical Library Association, and its library has been placed in their rooms. Its scientific communications are published in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal.
The valuable anatomical collection of the society was presented to the Medical School of Harvard University, and is now placed in the new Medical School building on Boylston street.
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OBSTETRICAL SOCIETY OF BOSTON.
This society was organized in 1860. Its object is the study of ob- stetries and the diseases of women and children. Its members must be members of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and are limited to thirty. It has also a small honorary membership. Its meetings are hield at the houses of its members in turn, and are always followed by a social reunion and supper. Its proceedings are published in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal.
THE BOSTON SOCIETY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES.
This society was organized in 1869, and has for its object the promo- tion of the sciences connected with medicine.
BOSTON MEDICO-PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.
This society was organized in 1880, for the purpose of reading and discussing papers on psychological subjects, of reporting cases, and of taking psychological journals.
MASSACHUSETTS MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY.
This society was organized July 9, 1872. Its object is the instruction and professional improvement of the medical examiners, the successors of the coroners. The society has both regular and associate members. The regular members must be members of the Massachusetts Medical Society or of the Massachusetts Bar, with the provision that two-thirds of them shall hold commissions as State Medical Examiners. They transact all the business of the society, while the associate members can be present at stated meetings for discussions, etc. Provision is made for the election of distinguished professional men, medical, legal or scien- tific, to permanent associate membership.
MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.
The organization of this society dates from 1857; in 1871 it received an act of incorporation from the Legislature of Massachusetts. Its object is the relief of its members, or of their families, should they need assistance; and of such other members of the medical profession or their families as may be deemed by the society suitable objects of
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its beneficence. The society has now over $33,000 of invested funds, and fourteen beneficiaries who are recipients of its bounty.
BOYLSTON MEDICAL SOCIETY OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY.
The society was organized January 6, 1811, for the purpose of pro- moting emulation and inquiry among the students at the Medical School connected with Harvard University, of whom its membership is alone composed. It was incorporated in 1823. The president must be a physician of regular standing, elected by the immediate members. A printed catalogue of the members is issued onee in three years. The income of a fund, the gift of the late Ward Nicholas Boylston, M. D., for whom the society was named, is appropriated to prizes. In accord- ance with the terms of incorporation, seven trustees, who must be practicing physicians, are annually appointed, who have the sole man- agement and control of the permanent funds.
SOUTH BOSTON MEDICAL CLUB.
This is composed of members of the Massashusetts Medical Society living in South Boston, and has for its objects professional improve- ment and social intercourse. It was organized Februury 25, 1843, and meets at the houses of members on the second Thursday of each month.
NEW ENGLAND HOSPITAL MEDICAL SOCIETY.
This society was organized in January, 1818, for the professional im- provement of educated women physicians, graduates of regular medical schools.
There are a few smaller societies, but their existence is hardly known outside of their very limited membership.
HOSPITALS.
Boston is well supplied with hospitals and dispensaries; besides those given in the following pages, there are some smaller ones which are not incorporated, but are under the care of private individuals and cannot properly be considered as public institutions.
Charles N.Oni
winty
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MEDICAL HISTORY.
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL.
This hospital was incorporated February 25, 1811, and opened for the reception of patients September 3, 1821. It is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the country, and under the most efficient management. More than a thousand in-patients receive its advantages annually, and nearly five thousand out-patients. It is supported by invested funds, voluntary contributions from citizens of Boston and vicinity, and by moderate charges where patients can afford to pay for care and treatment.
The hospital has 243 beds. Patients suffering from medical or surgical diseases are received from any part of the United States or Provinces. Chronic or incurable cases are not, as a rule, admitted, and the rule is invariable against contagious discases.
Since 1822 four new pavilion wards have been constructed on the grounds of the hospital. These buildings are called the Jackson, War- ren, Bigelow and Townsend wards respectively, in memory of the services of Drs. James Jackson, John C. Warren, Jacob Bigelow, and S. D. Townsend.
The Thayer Building for nurses was built in 1882, and the Gay Ward for out-patients in 1883. The former was named after Nathaniel Thayer, for many years a trustee and a liberal contributor to the hos- pital; the latter after Dr. George H. Gay, one of the surgeons of the the hospital for many years.
A Convalescent Home, connected with the hospital, is located in Belmont. It has thirty beds.
A new edition of a history of the hospital, written by the late N. I. Bowditch, was issued in 1872 under the editorial care of Rev. George E. Ellis, D. D., one of the trustees of that time.
BOSTON CITY HOSPITAL.
This hospital was incorporated in 1880. It was established and is maintained by annual appropriations from the city government; be- quests and donations have also been given to it amounting up to the present time to $43,500. The total cost of the buildings alone was $250,000. It was opened for the reception of patients June 1, 1864, and at that time consisted of a central administrative building, two three-storied pavilions, and morgue. Three years later a two-storied 25
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pavilion, divided into small rooms, was built for the reception of dis- eases requiring isolation. In 1874 and 1875 the hospital was again enlarged by the erection of two three-storied buildings, two one-story pavilions, and a building for the use of the various departments for out-patients. It now has 480 beds.
It is intended for those only who require temporary relief during sickness, especially those suffering from acute medical or surgical dis- eases, and except in special cases is limited to residents of Boston. The hospital is open at all hours to cases of emergency. Physicians and surgeons are in daily attendance for the treatment of out-patients.
A Convalescent Home was established in 1890 in Dorchester; it has accommodation for thirty-four patients.
Large additions are now in process of erection for the better isolation and care of contagious diseases.
THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
This hospital was incorporated February 26, 1869, and its present quarters on Huntington avenue were opened in December, 1882. It has one hundred beds.
It provides medical and surgical treatment for the diseases of chil- dren. Patients between the ages of two and twelve, and suffering from acute diseases, are received. Those having infectious or contagious diseases are never admitted, and chronic cases only when they offer urgent symptoms which seem capable of relief. The beds are free to the poor of Boston, but a moderate charge is made for those who are able to pay. The very moderate charge of four dollars per week for those who reside outside the city,
The immediate care of the hospital, and the nursing, is entrusted to members of the Protestant Episcopal Sisterhood of St. Margaret, East Grimstead, Eng.
A convalescent home at Wellesley, containing eighteen beds, has been established in connection with the hospital.
BOSTON LYING-IN HOSPITAL.
This hospital, which was organized in 1832, now occupies a new, spacious and well-appointed building on McLean street. It has a capacity of seventy beds, and cares for about 500 house-patients yearly. It also maintains a well organized out-patient service, which annually
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cares for over a thousand women in their homes. This service is gratuitous. The house-patients are charged a fee which must be paid on entrance, and includes all charges for care during labor and for two weeks thereafter, or for such further time as may be necessary for the patient to become able to leave the hospital. Those awaiting labor are not received ; but a list of approved and convenient boarding-places and homes is kept at the hospital, where they may remain until the proper time for entrance. Deserving women, who are unable to pay, are received free, if residents of Boston ; non-residents by special vote of the executive committee.
The hospital is governed by a Board of Trustees, and has an advisory Board of Lady Visitors. The medical staff consists of three consulting physicians, a visiting physician, an assistant visiting physician, and three physicians to out-patients. The house-staff consists of three physicians, who are appointed for terms of six months; and five ex- ternes, who attend to the out-patient service under the supervision of the out-patient physicians and the house physicians.
The hospital also maintains a training school for nurses, in which women are thoroughly trained for obstetric nursing. Instruction is given by lectures by the staff and the house physicians, by recitations, and by constant bedside teaching under the supervision of the director of nurses. Diplomas are awarded to those who pass a creditable exam- ination at the end of their course.
MASSACHUSETTS CHARITABLE EYE AND EAR INFIRMARY.
This institution owes its origin to Drs. Edward Reynolds and John Jeffries, who, in November, 1824, opened a small room in Scollay's Building as a dispensary for the gratuitous treatment of the poor afflicted with diseases of the eye. In March, 1826, their dispensary was regularly organized as the Boston Eye Infirmary. A month later it was incorporated by the State Legislature under its present title. It was soon after removed to Court street, and six years later to the Gore Mansion in Green street, where it remained until 1850. It was then removed to the building now occupied in Charles street, which was dedicated July 3 of that year.
The Eye and Ear Infirmary has become one of the most important charitable institutions of Boston, and the demands upon it have con- stantly increased. A new wing has recently been added to its building for the better accommodation of out-patients.
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BOSTON LUNATIC HOSPITAL.
This hospital was built in 1839, was enlarged in 1846, and again in 1882. It has a capacity of over 200 patients, and is supported by the city of Boston, through the Board of Directors for Public Institutions. It is intended for the insane of the city of Boston, and accommodates about one-fifth of those unfortunates. It is free to the poor, but those who are able to pay are charged a moderate sum.
FREE HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN.
Established in December, 1875; incorporated August, 1819. The hospital is entirely free, and receives only those women who suffer from diseases peculiar to their sex, and have not the means to obtain the medical advice or the care which they need. It contains twenty beds, and is supported by contributions from religious societies and private individuals. Connected with the hospital is an out-patient de- partment. Those who give the full amount, $250, which is fixed for the support of a bed, are entitled to designate a patient throughout the whole year; but any one giving not less than $150 is entitled to share with another person giving a like amount the right to designate patients.
A new hospital building in Brookline is now under construction. This hospital owes its existence to the energy of the professor of gy- necology at Harvard University.
ST. MARGARET'S INFIRMARY.
Organized in 1882 by the Sisters of St. Margaret (Protestant Epis- copal) in order to receive patients (usually women and children) re- quiring medical or surgical care. About fourteen patients can be accommodated. Physicians, members of the Massachusetts Medical Society, are allowed to send and attend patients. The inmates are cared for by the Sisters and trained nurses, and receive every kindness.
The infirmary occupies two house in Louisburg square.
CARNEY HOSPITAL.
Established in June, 1863, and incorporated in 1865, for the purpose of affording relief to the sick poor. Both acute and chronic cases are received, contagious diseases excepted. This institution is in charge of Roman Catholic Sisters of Charity, but receives patients of all de- nominations. It is located in South Boston.
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ST. JOSEPH'S HOME FOR SICK AND DESTITUTE SERVANT GIRLS.
Incorporated in 1861, for the purpose of providing a home for, and otherwise aiding, sick and destitute servant girls. It includes under its organization a hospital for the treatment of diseases, especially those of an incurable character, and for women who have become ex- hausted and unwell while at their work, and need a temporary respite.
The institution has ninety beds, of which twenty-four are devoted to the hospital department. The institution was organized by and is under the charge of the Sisters of St. Francis.
HOUSE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN.
Incorporated in 1860, for the care and treatment of sick women and girls, and of boys below six years of age, especially those suffering under diseases of long duration. It is supported by voluntary contri- butions and from the income of its funds.
ST. ELIZABETH'S HOSPITAL.
Established in 1868, by the Sisters of St. Francis, and incorporated January 29, 1872, for the treatment of the medical and surgical diseases peculiar to women. It is especially intended for patients in moderate circumstances who can afford to pay only a low rate of board and mod- erate fees for medical attendance. The institution has about sixty beds. In 1881 a branch was established in Roxbury.
ST. MARY'S INFANT ASYLUM AND LVING-IN HOSPITAL.
This institution was founded by Roman Catholic Sisters of Charity and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in 1868, and incorporated in 1870, as an institution for the maintenance and support of foundlings, orphan and half-orphan children. It also accommodates deserving indigent females during their confinement in childbirth. The asylum will receive ten patients and fifty children. Patients are received on application at the asylum. No distinction is made on account of re- ligion ; and no patient is refused on account of her inability to pay.
DEER ISLAND INSTITUTIONS-HOSPITAL DEPARTMENT.
The hospital connected with the public institutions of Boston is located on Deer Island in Boston Harbor, with a branch at Rainsford
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Island. Patients are received from the City Almshouse, the House of Industry, and the House of Reformation for Juvenile Offenders. The hospital is under the care of the Board of Directors for Public Institutions.
SMALL-POX HOSPITAL.
This hospital was organized in June, 1852. It contains forty beds, but a larger number of patients could be accommodated if necessary. It is under the care and direction of the Boston Board of Health.
THE CHANNING HOME.
Established in 1857, by Miss Harriet Ryan (the late Mrs. Albee), through the assistance of friends whom she had drawn into sympa- thy with her benevolent purpose. It was incorporated in 1861. This is not a hospital in the common acceptation of the word, but a home for those whose death seems quite certain and require constant medical attendance.
NEW ENGLAND HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
This hospital was incorporated March 12, 1863, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining in the city of Boston or its vicinity a hospital for the treatment of the diseases of women and children, giv- ing also clinical instruction to female students of medicine, and of training nurses.
The present hospital building, located in Roxbury, was erected in 1872, and opened the same year for the reception of patients. It contains fifty-eight beds in rooms of two and four beds each.
The maternity building is entirely separate, and consists of a small house of two stories, each having three rooms of two beds each, and a separate room for the delivery. There are also two isolated houses for the care of cases of contagion arising in the hospital.
Patients are admitted on application at stated times. Chronic or incurable cases are, as a rule, not admitted, and contagious cases are re- fused. There are eleven endowment free beds, and six annual free beds.
WEST END NURSERY AND INFANT'S HOSPITAL.
This institution was incorporated in 1881. Children are admitted to the Nursery Department if below the age of two. Babies are taken
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to board, without surrender, at three dollars per week. The number of free beds in the hospital is fifteen, and in the nursery fifteen. No infants are taken in the nursery free if the mothers are earning any- thing.
In the Hospital Department the medical and surgical diseases of children are treated. The beds are free, and in certain cases the mother is admitted with the child. An out-patient department is open daily.
BOSTON HOME FOR INCURABLES.
This Home was organized in 1822, and formally opened for patients December 4, 1882, and incorporated in 1884. Accommodations are furnished for thirty adult patients, of both sexes, and thirty children. The design of the Home is to receive gratuitously patients who are incapacitated for life, who are unable to provide for themselves. Cases of contagious disease, syphilis, consumption, cancer, or any form of insanity are not received.
WASHINGTONIAN HOME.
This Home was organized in 1857, and incorporated in 1859, for the cure of inebriates who wish to reform.
Persons having a permanent home within the State, whose circum- stances render it imperatively necessary, may be admitted to a free bed ; all other persons are charged a moderate sum for their board, according to their ability to pay, and the rooms, attendance, and ac- commodations furnished them. The institution furnishes accommo- dations to forty inmates.
While this institution is not strictly a hospital, it is devoted to the cure of the disease of intemperance, and should be classed as a special hospital.
VINCENT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.
This hospital was incorporated in 1890, to honor the memory of Mrs. I. R. Vincent, for many years a member of the Boston Museum Com- pany. It has ten beds, four of which are free. The visiting physicians are women.
BOSTON DISPENSARY.
This institution was founded in 1796, and incorporated in 1801. It is supported by funds heretofore contributed and by private charity,
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receiving no assistance from the city. Its operations are confined to the city proper, East and South Boston. It has a fine building for its central office, erected in 1883. Here physicians are in attendance daily, who treat respectively men, women and children, and surgical cases, at stated hours. In addition to this office, the city is divided into nine districts, each having a physician assigned, who cares for those unable to leave their homes. Medicines are given out at the central office daily at stated hours.
NEW ENGLAND DISPENSARY.
This is the out-patient department of the New England Hospital, with which it was connected until the removal of the latter out of town in 1842. It is located on Fayette street. The physicians in attendance are women.
As supplementing the work of the dispensaries should be noticed the
NORTH END DIET KITCHEN.
Organized in December, 1844, for the relief of the sick poor at the North and West End. Plain, nourishing food is given without pay- ment, but only on the orders of the dispensary physicians.
And the
SOUTH END DIET KITCHEN.
Organized in November, 1845, and incorporated in 1882, at the south part of the city, to provide simple food for the sick. "Any person may obtain diet at the kitchen upon presentation of the slip-card of the corporation, signed by a Boston physician of regular standing, by a bible reader, a city missionary, an officer of the Associated Charities, or by such person as the managers of the corporation may have authorized to sign such slip-card."
MEDICAL EDUCATION.
In the letter of instructions given to Governor Endicott on leaving the old country, occurs the following, an evidence of forethought in the matter of medical education (Young, Chron. Mass., 165) :
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