Evening gazette, Saturday, April 9, 1898 · page 1

l

 

 

i OUR N

Robert Van Buren,

8' If you want the best
goods for the least money
read the advertisements
in the Gazette.

Q vening Gazette.

 

_ _ lg Recognized 'as the
family paperthe Gazette’s

advertising columns will
prove its valueito you. '

 

 

VOL. VIII. NO. 1842

N ORWALK, CONN ., SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 9, 1898.

PRICE ONE CENT.

 

I
i ,
.9 fl,
9’ .
1:499 \ .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

: ‘35.. -;‘n . . 7 ' a - ,, H- -—:- f
. ‘ ‘ cw 7.7“ ‘ . n... '“Wwf‘ ari‘ison .lemson.“ -

The Hospital Story.
How IT GREW.

During the Summer of 1889 the phy-
sicians of the Borough of N orwalk and
the City of South Norwalk, and the
druggists of the Town of Norwalk
competed in a base ball match and the
amount of money, $10.85, raised by this
field sport was deposited in the South
Norwalk Savings Bank, in the name of
the Norwalk Hospital Society, the
Mayor of the City of South Norwalk
and the Warden of the Borough of
Norwalk, trustees. This amount, with
its accumulations, is still in the bank
to the credit of the N orwalk Hospital,
and so far as we are able to learn this
is the first financial effort for the bene-
fit of the Hospital.

The first mOVement, which had for
its object the establishment of a hospi-
tal in the town of Norwalk, started
among the ladies of the Hat Trimmers
Association of South Norwalk, which
matter they presented to the members
of that Association at a regular meet-
ing. “The suggestion met with the
hearty approval of all present and a
committee was appointed to consider
the best means to interest the public
and raise a fund for that purpose. Af-
ter a consultation the committee, re-
alizing something of the magnitude of
the work they had undertaken, decided
to invite the co-operatiou of the male
members of the hatting industry, and
accordingly sent invitations to the
foreman and one journeyman from each
department of each shop in town to
meet with them in the trimming room
of the Volk Hat Company’s shop.
There was quite a hearty response on
the part of the men, and an organiza-
tion was effected with Mr. John W.
Mains, Chairman; Miss Fannie Rich,
Secretary; Mr. Chas. B. Stevens,
Treasurer. Plans were discussed, but
nothing decided upon. From this time
(early in June) regular weekly meet-
ings were held in the parlors of the
Old Well Hook and Ladder 00., which
that Company kindly allowed the com-
mittee to use free of charge: At a
subsequent meeting it was decided to?
hold a bazaar to last one week, begin-
ning on the last Monday in October,
1891.”

“Early in September a public meet-
ing was held to feel the pulse of the
people, of which John H. Light was
Chairman. The attendance at this
meeting was such as encouraged the
committee to go forward with the work.
After this meeting the interest in the
work began to increase and according
to the original plan a bazaar was held.
The ladies of the Hat Trimmer’s Asso-
ciation were assisted by the schools of
the town and the ladies of Grace
Church of Norwalk. The proceeds of
this fair were about $2800.”

As early as June, 1891, we find by the
records of the Baptist Church of South
Norwalk that a committee of ladies
was appointed to solicit funds to aid
the Hospital project. The amount of
such subscriptions, together with the
interest accumulated as reported to
the Hospital Association on Jan. 16th,
1893, amounted to $130.22.

During the Fall of 1892 a permanent
organization was effected known as the
“Norwalk Hospital Association” and

articles of Association were filed with

the Secretary of State and the Town
Clerk. The Board of Trustees were
elected, an Executive Committee ap-

inted and the work of the organiza—

. tion actually begun.

The first annual meeting of the Cor-
porators of the Norwalk Hospital Asso-
ciation was held in the office of John
H. Light, Esq, South Norwalk, Tues-
day evening, N ov. 23d, 1892. ‘ About
thirty gentlemen were present and
articles of incorporation were read and
adopted.

Officers of the Association were
elected as follows: .

Hon. John H. Ferris, president.

Robert Van Buren, vice president.

J. Arthur Pinneo, secretary.

Chas. B. Stevens, treasurer.

Wm. H. Smith, J. G. Gregory, M. D.‘,
S. W. Velsor, John W. Mains,
Wm. F. Bishop, John H. Ferris,

Wm. M. Craw,

Jos. L. O’Brien,

Tiles. I. Raymond,
J. A. Pinneo,

Charles B Stevens,

'. were elected Directors.

On Nov. 22d, 1892, the first meeting
of the Board of Directors was held at
the office of Mr. Light in South Nor-
walk,'all the members being present.

:A'committee to draft by-laws was ap-

pointed as followsi

 

 

 

S. \V. Velsor, T. I. Raymond, J. G-
Gregory, M. D., whose report was
adopted by the Association. John H.
Light was appointed counsel. Subse-
quently an Executive Committee, con-
sisting of Dr. J. G. Gregory, ’1‘. I. Bay-
mond and Rev. S. H. Watkins, was ap-
pointed.

The first meeting of the Executive
Committee was held on Dec. 29th,1892,
and their first report, which was issued
Dec. 13th, 1893, states the following:

“The Board of Directors has the.
honor to present herewith to the Nor-
walk Hospital Association, its first an-
nual report, as prepared by the Execu-
tive Committee. This has been a year
of beginnings. As soon as the funds in
hand warranted the action, a commit-
tee was appointed to select a site for
the future Hospital buildings. It was
no easy task; many interests had to be
consulted and many locations consider-
ed. The property had to be central,
healthful and convenient. Few such
lots of sufiicient size were available. It
was finally decided to purchase a por-
tion of the Sammis estate on the east
line of the Turnpike, giving a frontage
of about 250 feet, and a depth of about;
250. The sum paid was Four I‘hous-
and Dollars, (4000.) We believe that
the site is most desirable, and we are
convinced that we have a valuable
property for hospital purposes.

The next step was to secure tempor-
ary quarters and begin our work.
Again we met with difficulties. A
number of houses that were inspected
could not be rented, and several build-
ings, which were offered, were not con-
sidered suitable. It was not until June
that the present arrangement was
made with Mr. G. W. Merritt, whereby
we have the use of the second and part
of the third floors (eight rooms in all,)
in his house, N o. 24 Leonard Street, at
the annual rental of One Hundred
Fifty Dollars ($150.) Through gener-
ous gifts the rooms were furnished and
ready for occupancy on July 21st,‘1893. ’ ‘

During the first nineteen weeks, to
the time of the annual report, there
were thirty one (31) patients in the
Hospital.

During the year of 1893 a special ap-
peal was made to the churches of the
town of Norwalk to establish a Hospi-
tal Sunday, at which time collections
should be made for the benefit of the
Association. Four churches responded
and since that time the interest has in-
creased, until now nearly every church
in the town makes annual contribu-
tion.

During this year the need of an am-
bulance, for the Hospital purposes, was
often demonstrated and a committee
was appointed to raise funds. This
effort resulted in the building and
equipping of a first class ambulance,
which has been in constant use from
that time until the present and is doing
excellent service.

We notice that in the Executive
Committee’s report for 1895 that the
building fund has been increased by
nearly $2000, by the splendid work of
the Hat Trimmers Association and
their helpers in the “fair.”

These influences developed a partic-
ular interest toward the erection of a
new Hospital building and after care-
ful study and consideration on the part
of the Board and Executive Committee
it was decided to obtain plans from
architects. The firm selected was
Rand & Taylor, Kendall & Stevens of
Boston, Mass. After studying the
problem for some weeks they submit-
ted a set of drawings which called for
an expenditure of about $25,000. This
amount was considered, by the Board,
impracticable and further action was
deferred. '

During the year of 1896 it was "con-
sidered unwise to build a Hospital as
planned on the Connecticut Turnpike,
therefore, in the early summer the
place known as the Hammersley prop-
erty on East Avenue, was purchased
for $5 000. It was thought this build-
ing could be remodelled and used suc-
cessfully for Hospital purposes.

Early in the year it became evident
that the Hammersley place would not
be available for our future needs, and
after careful consideration it was de-
cided to relinquish it and look else-
where. As a consequence, its sale was
negotiated upon very favorable terms
and with no loss to the Hospital, by
our president, who was alsoinstrumen-
tal in obtaining a large additional gift
for hospital needs. A committee was
then appointed, to whom was referred
the question of a ' hospital site. To
this work they gave much time,
thought and labor, and finally, after
deliberate audimature consideration,

 

reported back to the Board of Direc-
tors, recommending the original site
upon the Connecticut Turnpike, as the
most desirable. as to location, conveni—
ence, surroundings and sanitation.

This report of the Committee was
adopted, and the hospital location
definitely settled. It was also deemed
advisable to obtain the balance of the
lots on the Sammis property adjoining,
in order to anticipate a future growth
and to make the hospital grounds more
available. Steps were taken to this
end and these additional lets have
been purchased. lVe now own a plot
of land extending from the Connecti-
cut Turnpike to Valley Place contain-
ing nearly three acres, within easy ac-
cess from all parts of our town and it
may be approached from the Connect-i-
cut Turnpike, Valley Place, Cedar
Street and Seymour Place. The Build-
ing Committee consists of John H.
Ferris, Robert Van Buren, E. A.
Woodward, W. F. Bishop and William
H. Smith.

By legislative act, approved April
29th, 1897, a State appropriation for
maintenance fund of $2,500, per year
for two years, was secured through the
earnest efforts of our senator and rep-
resentatives in the State legislature.
This amount, with the church collec-
tions, members subscriptions and gifts,
furnish us with funds necessary to
carry forward the work successfully.

In April, 1897, Mrs. Merritt, who
had been matron of the hospital from
the commencement, resigned and new
arrangements became necessary. The
Executive Committee assumed the
rental of the entire house and engaged
Mrs. Lane to undertake the duties of
housekeeper and board nurses and in-
mates, and take charge of the laundry.
This plan has worked very successfully
without increased cost to the manage-
ment.

Too much praise cannot be accorded
to the visiting committee, medical
board and the many others who by
their efforts have made the carrying
forward of the Hospital work a possi-
bility.

While the most careful and earnest
efforts have been put forth to take the
best care of those who have been com-
mitted to our care since the temporary
hospital was ready for occupancy, we
have been looking forward, with great
interest, to the time when we should
have a permanent home, where we
could care for all of those who might
need hospital attention.

While during the years past mrch
interest has been manifested in this
movement no definite action was taken
until December 13th, 1897, when a com-
mittee of ladies and gentlemen was ap-
pointed from Norwalk, South Norwalk
and East Norwalk. to be known as a
Special FinanCe Committee to increase
the building fund.

We hope, by a very hearty and gen-
erous response from our citizens, we
may be immediately supplied with
funds to build and equip a hospital
building, per plans and specifications
by H. G. Lamson of Bridgeport, Conn.,
approved and adopted by the Board of
Directors at their meeting held March
14th. 1.898.

We herewith give a form of a bequest
that may be followed:

“I give and bequeath to the Nor walk
Hospital Association, in the town of
Norwalk, Connecticut, the sum of
Dollars, to be paid by my executors.
out of my real or personal estate, as
soon as the settlement of my afiairs
will permit, to the treasurer of said
Association for the time being, in trust,
to be applied by the directors thereof
to the humane purposes of the Norwalk
Hospital.“ ‘

We also append form of application
for the ad mission of patients:

1. Applications for the admission of
patients should be accompanied by a
certificate from some respectable phy-
sician, stating the nature and probable
duration of the disease, and should be
made to the Executive Committee 0
to any member of the same.

2. The ordinary charge per week is
$7.00 which includes medical and sur-
gical attendance, together With medi-
cine, nursing and Washing. '

3. Persons who cannot pay for their
treitment are admitted on. an 01'4LI'
fro n the town authorities.

4. Persons carried directly to the
Hospital from the place’of an accident
are admitted immediately. ‘

5. A written history of the ‘ case
should be sent with the patient.

6. Insane persons and those sufier-
ing from contagious diseases are not
admitted. ~ '

 

FI‘vhoniuw ‘I-_ Elam“:

Financing For The flos=
pita].

WHO PAYS FOR IT '9
BY JOHN H. FERRIS, PRESIDENT.

It goes without saying, that the most
essential part of the carrying on of any
philanthropic enterprise is the depart-
ment of finance. This is particularly
the fact in the case of hospitals in gen-
eral, and to this rule our own hospital
is no exception. While in many neigh-
boring t0wns such institutions have
been generously endowed by large-
hearted men and Wt. men, we have not,
as yet, been so fortunate. Therefore,
we have had to depend for a large part
of our income upon comparatively small
individual donations, subscriptions to
life and annual memberships, and upon
fairs and entertainments of various
kinds, which have been so kindly con-
ducted by friends of the cause, and so
generously patronized by the public ir-
respective of creed or position. For
the past few years, however, we have
been fortunate in securing from the
State an annual appropriation of $2,500.
It has been the aim of the board of
management to make all expenditures
in a prudent and economical manner,
and the result, I think, reflects great
credit upon the Executive Committee.
The work that has been done and the
results accomplished in our present
limited quarters in the past four years
have shown how much more can be
better accomplished when we have our
new hospital building, as now seems
probable. We have now on hand,
available for building purposes about
$8,000. Now if this amount shall be
sufficiently added to and increased by
the generous people of our town, as I
belieye it will be, it is our purpose to
erecta building that will be, architect-
urally, a credit to the Norwalks, and,
what is still better, one which will en-
able us to do more efficient work for
the relief of human suffering. There
can be no cause which should appeal to
every one of us more strongly than
this.
It is estimated that a building such
as we have planned can be erected for
about $16,000 exclusive of the furnish-
ing. From this deduct the $8,000 we
have and the apparent deficiency is
$8,000 the amount that will probably be
needed to place this work in good finan-
cial condition. Now the question which
you, the good people of N orwalk, are
called upon to answer is, can we depend
upoztyou tocontribute this amount and
thereby assure the erection and com-
pletion of this noble monument to the
public spirit and philanthropy of our
Town? We have undertaken and help-
ed forward the work thus far, and have
planned this new refuge for the sick
and disabled, in the faith that the
warm hearts and open hands of our
people will carry the project to a suc-
cessful completion.
JOHN-H. FERRIS.

The Medical Staff.

In the limited space necessarily at
command, it is difficult even to do jus-
tice to such a picture as the words
"Medical Staff” immediately, present
to the- imagination.- One must feel
keenly one’s inability to tell a thous-
andth part of the story of generous
self-sacrifice, of simple and unpretend-
ing service and the consecrated lives
of the healers of the people. Litera-
ture is rich in allusion and in story
upon this theme. The Bible with its
incomparable phrasing has given us the
words “beloved physician,” and its
lovely presentment of Christ binding
up the wounds of body and mind. ”Rab
and His Friends” with its exquisite
drawing of the great hearted doctor,
comes instantly to mind, and what
members of the profession have simply
and unconsciously revealed themselves
of their daily lives in such books as Dr.
Warren’s classic "Diary of a Phy--
sician” and Dr. Sim’s "Story of my
Life” is the best proof of their devo-
tion. A most remarkable outline of
the devoted life of a doctor is given in
the sketches 1n Ian Maclaren’s books.
Dr. VVat-son says in one of his lectures
that he answers the oft—repeated ques-
tion as to whether there really is any
such man as the beloved “\Veelum
Maclure” by saying that he has known
four just such gentle doctors, any- one
of whom would be astonished to recog—
nize his virtues under the vivifying
touch of the writer, aud adds that he’s
sure he has pictured them correctly as
he has a pile of letters a foot high ask-
ing if he did not draw Maclure directly
from such and such a doctor, said doc-
tors living in towns all over the United
Kingdom and the States. And who
doubts that the picture of “VVeelum
Maclure” is as good as any sermon ever
preached? But even the warmest ap-
preciative tribute of an impersonal
character does not always bring mat-
ters home like a hard fact. Let us see
what the Medical Staff of the N orwalk
Hospital do and what they give for its
maintennance. There are eight ph_:
sicians on the staff each of whom serve;
two months during the year, first as
regular physician in charge, second as
alternate. The duty of the doctor in
charge is to visit the hospital every
day, and when there are severe cases,
this is often increased to several calls a
day. He holds himself in readiness to
answer a summons at any hour of day
and night, and there have been many
night calls. The alternate is called
when the regular physician cannot be
reached in an emergency case, and ow-
ing to the nature of many of the cases.
there are frequently several members
of the staff needed. We all know that
the services of a doctor are the last
which can be reckoned in mere money,
but let us look at this matter from a
business point' of view. Let us say
there are but two~cases in the hospital
;,the minimum number, and that the

 

 

,‘ physician makes his regular visit but

contributed for the purpose.

 

once a day, charging the minimum
price for his visit, one dollar for each
patient, and we have in actual money
a gift of from $60.00 to $120.00 a year.
and as a matter of fact, this is a very
low estimate as there are many more
visits. Suppose every inhabitant of our
town should contribute in such propor-
tion as this to the hospital. l-Suppose
any merchant in town should supply
everything needed at the hospital in
his line freely as agift. If the hospital
is served at a discount by a merchant
it is considered a generous thing.

The work of such a hospital as ours
is not the daily routine of chronic
cases. It is most often called upon for
emergency service, and then the pa-
tient doctor, aroused in the dead of
night must hurry often from a long dis-
tance. And who can tell the strain of
such cases upon the doctor and the
nurses, the sharp immediate demand
of experience, self—control, nerve.
There are many instances where the
immediate help of the trained nurse
has prevented the untimely snuffing
out of the candle of life. The doctors
often place a patient in the hospital
(who would be a source of income if
left in his home,) because of the doc-
tor’s intimate knowledge and practical
experience as to the value of treatment
under the trained nurse, the right
hand of the modern doctor.

Upon this great matter, the help of
the trained nurse, it is difficult to hold
one’s pen, and nothing but the fear of
the blue pencil in the hands of the stern
editor restrains one. But after all, no
one can do adequate justice to the story
of the doctor and the nurse. and it is
some consolation that it is not greatly
needed. Their history is written in
deeds, not words, and in the hearts of
the people, and has not. the testimony
of many caused the words “grateful
patient” to become a stock phrase in
profession?

It is impossible for one to estimate
for another the illumination proceed-
ing from personal experience, or close
personal observation, and he is an un-
usual person who has not felt keenly
at some time. the biting fear of disease
or death for himself or for some dearly
loved one. Who has not in such a
moment drunk deeply of the black
waters, and found his earthly support
in the grave and kindly face of the
family physician?

DOTHA STONE Future.

The Board of Lady Vis:
itors.

The Directors of the Norwalk Hos-
pital Association soon realized that it
is “not good for man to be alone,” es-
peciall y in charitable and philanthrop-
ic work. Accordingly, they invited
one woman from each church in the
town and from the Hat Trimmers
Union to take upon themselves the
duty of “visiting the hospital regular-
ly, of inquiring into the economical
and moral concerns of the hospital, de-
signating abuses and suggesting im-
provments, ”

Mrs. E. J. Hill was elected chairman
and Mrs. James L. Stevens secretary.
A plan was arranged by which each
member of the Board should visit the
hospital for two successive months; two
are on duty at the same time, but only
one term expires at the end of each
month. This plan has worked very
Well and given regular attendance at
the Hospital. From time to time new
members have been appointed. as for
instance, when St. J Oseph’s Parish was
set apart, Miss Cavanagh remained on
the Board, representing St. .1 oseph’s
and Mrs. Tracey was appointed to rep-
resent St. Mary’s, but the same system
has been carried out; some months the
hospital having three visitors instead
of two.

The Board of Visitors for 1898 is as
follows:

Chairman. Mrs. Isaac S. Jennings,
Trinity church, S. N.; Secretary, Mrs.
Ira Cole, Cong. church, N.; Mrs. B. M.
Andrews, Meth. church, S. N.; Mrs. C.
W. Bell, Meth church, Rowayton.;Miss
Maggie Cavanagh, St. J oseph’s church,
S. N.; Mrs. 'John H. Ferris, Cong.
church, S. N.; Miss Julita Hatch, Mrs.
Jas. L. Stevens, St. Paul’s church, N.;
Mrs. John Jarvis, Baptist church, N .;
Mrs. C. W. Judd, Hat Trimmers Union;
Mrs. Oscar S. Partrick. Advent Chris-
tian Ch., E. N.; Mrs. Francis 0. Sey-
mour, Meth. church, E. N.; Mrs. H. L.
Sheffield. Baptist church, S. 'N.; Mrs.
W. J. Tracey, St. Mary’s church, N ;
Mrs. C. F. ’I‘ristram, Meth. church, N:
Mrs. R. Van Buren, Grace church, N.

The original Board when organized
decided to hold meeting? on the first
Monday of every month for the purpose
of keeping up the interest in the work
and to devise ways and means of filling
the needs which should then be report-
ed. At first the meetings were held in
the parlor of the matron, Mrs. Merritt,
but it was felt that they must be a seri-
ous inconvenience to her, with her
limited accomodations, and since .the
organization of the Central Club, ,in
its present quarters, the meetings have
been held in the Club House. To
show the interest felt in the work it
can be said that in the five years since
the organization of this Board but
three meetings have lacked a quorum,
and quite frequently every member-has
been present. Sometimes the needs of
the hospital have been supplied from
the resources of the Ladies Society or
Guild of the Church to which the
visitor of that month belonged; some-
times the members have individually
A num-
ber of entertainments have been given
under the auspices of the Board, net-
ting considerable sums of money, which
have in most cases gone to increase
the Building Fund,——for truth to tell,
it is the Building Fund which lies
nearest the hearts of these earnest
workers. Many, many times the report
has been, “I have visited the hospital
regularly, taken fruit and flowers, and
nothing is needed but more room.”

We who cangive up a whole floor, or

atl‘east one room to a sick person, can ,
. ' l

 

little realize what it means to put seven
or, eight patients in two connecting
rooms-each no larger than an ordin-
ary bedroom. There are so feW
people in the Norwalks who know just
where the hospital IS situated, to say.
nothing of its accomodations, that it is
like talking to stone walls for any com-
,prehension of its needs. There have .
been times when every bed has 'been
occupied, and once, at least, the head
nurse gave up her tiny room for the
use of a patient. Again, there have
been a few days at a time when there
were no patients and the nurses have
had time for a little rest and toset the
place in order for the new armnals,
which were sure to come. The vist-
tors have many times heard the wiSh
expressed for a private ward where a.
patient could receive attendance with
some degree of seclusion. ,

We do need a new hospital, not a
costly and imposing building, with
resident staff and fully equipped for a
large number of patients, for this
would be a constant expense and tax
upon the community. What we need
isa building more roomy and more
healthfully located than the present
building, and if every one who reads
these lines would take the trouble to
ascertain the true state of affairs, we
should undoubtedly rejoice in the
possession of such a building before the
close of the year.

Mrs. Isaac S. Jennings.

Christian Beneficence.

THE SERVICE OF OUR CLERG-Y.

At last, the cherished dream of our
Norwalk philanthropists and her pub-
lic spirited, christian men and women
isto be realized. We are to have a
Hospital! That is, abuilding and re-
gime worthy the name. What cause
for gratitude and thanksgiving!

Gratitude to those earnest men, who
in the name of suffering humanity have
.given generously of their time and
substance to make what was once a
beloved prospect now a living reality !
Thanksgiving to God for His gracious
and ready help in furthering the efforts
of these,men, and in blessing their at-
tempts in behalf of this noble enter-
prise.

It seems an unaccountable thing that
our town should have been so long
without a hospital. A visit to the pro—
hospital, with its meagre dimensions,
might long ago have furnished ample
argument for that which is only now
to be realized.

It has been urged by “the sons of in-
difference” that there is not disease or
suffering enough in Norwalk to war-
rant so “pretentious” a building as
that about to be erected. In reply, the
building is not to be a “pretentious”
one; but plainly fitted to the needs of
our community; the greatest economy
and care having been exercised to
make it, so. As to its necessity among
us, the writer can testify to three cases
within the past few months that have
gone to the New York Hospitals at con-
siderable expense because the pro—~
hospital could not accommodate them.
On several occasions the pro hospital
has been so full that many deserving
applicants have been turned away to
seek treatment in hospitals in other
parts of our state.

Thank God, it is not to be so much
longer! A large, modest and perfect
building, constructed upon well proven
sanitary principles, upon a healthful
site, witha corps of able nurses and
physicians, is to minister to the needs
of our town.

An arrangement will be made where-
by our local clergy also may minister
to the spiritual needs of the institution,
by regularly appointed services and
special visitations. There will be no
resident chaplain, for the hospital is
non-parochial. Christian ministers of
all denominations will officiate there,
thus making it the possession of all
churches.

A few thousand dollars are necessary
to the completion of this great enter-
prise. I cannot, inthe face of all that
has been done, believe that God will
permit this need longer to be felt. I
cannot believe that those of us who
truly love their fellow-men will stand
by and see this Christ—like enterprise
forced to stand still.

In the name of Jesus Christ, and his
suffering ones, christian men and wom-
en of the N orwalks, open wide your
purse—strings! Give to our noble
undertaking, even at the cost of sacri-
fice! Harden not your hearts against
that, which shall. in our own com-
munity, do.its part in the great cause of
humanity, suffering. and need! It is
the voice of Christ that speaks to you
in the needs of our Hospital. \Vhat
will you do for it. and for him ‘3

J. McClure Bellows.
Grace Church Rec-
tory, Norwalk.

Hospital, Latin . “hospitaliu,” apart-
ments for guests, an institution for the
reception and relief of the sick or in-
firm. Such in brief is the definition or
signification of 'the word itself, with
others of similar term.

The earliest known hospital, accord-
ing to authors, for the sick, was found-
ed in the latter part of the 4th century
at Caesarea; St. Chrysostom built one
at his own expense in Constantinople;
and Fabiola, the friend of St. Jerome,
founded one at Rome. The Hotel-
Dieu in Paris. founded in the 7th cen-
tury, has long been the largest and
finest hospital in the world. It was re-
built in the 12th century, andhas been
extended from time to time until now
it covers five acres. The Hotel-Dieu of
Lyons, said to have been founded by
Childebert‘ in the 6th century, almost
equals it.

Rome had twenty-four hospitals in-
the 9th century; and in the 11th they
began to be established for pilgrims in
the Holy Land. Archbishop Lanfranc
built a hospital at Canterbury in 1070.
The oldest hospitals in London are, St.

(CONTINUED on return Pinon.)

 

c