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CHRISTMAS AT THE HOSPITALS.
60 And again sincerely moment. Another week’s rent due to-day, with old arrears at the receipt for cheque for ——. a standstill-this gift has prevented landlord taking extreme thanking you for my wife and myself, " &c. 246.-"Allow me to thank you very much for your great nFasres ; and, second!y, I have a little boy very ill ; so, indeed, it seemed a godfend, with but one sixpence in the kindness to me and my little ones. I am truly thankful ; I house. Again thanking you ———." cannot say more. My case is a very bard one, my husband 237.-"Be good enough t) transmit to the Almoners of being ill so long that we are sadly reduced, so much so that THE LANCET Fand the expression cf my sincere gratitude, not one of us had a second change of clothes, so that you not only for the generous aid granted me, but for the may know how truly thankful we all are for your kindness." 28.—"Ibeg to offer you my most grateful thanks for promptitude of their truly kind assistance. It will be a satisfaction to them to know that their benevolent act has your generous gift received this-morning, as I am absolutely materially helped to calm the breakers which threaten to penniless, and only for your goodness in thus so promptly - engulf a struogliing professional brother." responding to my application should have been in great 238.-"have received your kind note with enclosed distress. Again thanking you very much, pray accept my cheque for —— from the Almoners of THE LANCET Relief warmest thanks for so promptly submitting my request to Fund. I feel very grateful for the kindness so promptly the Almoners of THE LANCET Relief Fand, who have so attended to in sending me the required relief, and also for generously responded to the same. I was quite penniless, the liberality of time given for the repayment of loan ; but, so you can well imagine my tbankfulness." J. RUSSELL REYNOLDS. should I be fortunate enough in securing a permanent situaRICHARD QUAIN. J. W. HULKE. tion, it will be my wish and pleasure to repay the debt long THOMAS WAKLEY. before the time stated. I enclose the agreement signed, also THOMAS WAKLEY, JUN. Statement
of Accounts for the Year ending Dec. 31st, 1894.
I find by the Bankers’ Book that the actual balance on Jan. 1st, 1894, to the credit of the Fund was ;E1334., to which the sum of £ 300 was added by the Proprietors of THE LANCET on the same day. The balance at the Bankers’ at the present date is the sum of 110 4s. I have also checked the receipts for disbursements and find the above account strictly accurate. HENRY A. PITMAN, Hon. Auditor. December 28th, 1894.
CHRISTMAS AT THE HOSPITALS.
with wine, was served in all the wards 12.30, and from 2 till 4 o’clock in the afternoon the hos-
plum pudding, &c., at
open to visitors so that the patients could have their friendswith them. The Christmas tea was served soon after 4 o’clock, the wards being illuminated. After tea the resident medical officers and the nursing staff, assisted by some friends, gave short concerts in the wards, excepting those wards where any of the patients were thought to be too ill to bear the music. These entertainments were most enthusiastically joined in by the patients, and were very successful. The whole day passed delightfully, resident medical officers, students, sisters, and nurses all successfully endeavouring to make others happy ard themselves thoroughly happy in
pital was
As far as circumstances permitted high festival has been ’held in the wards of many of our London hospitals during the Christmas season, and praise is due both to the medical and lay staffa of the institutions concerned for their endeavours to lighten the burdens of the sufferers whom misfortune has placed on a bed of sickness. King’s College Hospital. On the locker at each bedside was placed a Christmas gift of warm clothing for -each patient on awakening on Christmas morning. The doing so. Jltddlesex HospUal.-On Christmas Day the patients of the wards were beautifully decorated with drapery, evergreens, and flowers, and illuminated with innumerable Middlesex Hospital were regaled with tne usual Christmas candles and fairy lamps, and looked brilliant in their many fare, and in the evening with tea, cake, and light refreshlights and colours. Christmas dinner, consisting of turkey, ments. A mcnster Christmas tree was erected in the b)ard -
61 room, irom w]2icti all patients wno were well enough to come down received a gift, while for those confined to the wards a bran-pie was taken round, and every patient, nurse, and
servant of the institution received a present. It has been decided to defer for a few weeks the concert given by the Middlesex Hospital Musical Society, under the leadership of Dr. J. J. Pringle, who is organising a brilliant entertainment of song, recitation, and instrumental music for the amusement of the unfortunate sufferers in the hospital. St. George’s Horpit{tl.-Tbe usual Christmas festivities were
indulged in, and those who were well enough to eat them supplied with roast beef and plum pudding on Christmas Day. On the evening of the 27th an entertainment for the patients was given, and a liberal tea presided over and served to the patients by the lady visitors and their friends were
provided. A musical entertainment was also held in all the wards where the patients were not too ill to suffer in consequence. Christmas trees were provided for the amusement of the children, and the beautiful presents of toys received from ’Çrllth were distributed. Everything was done as far as possible to give the patients a happy Christmas season. St. 17lOmaS’S Hospital,-The only festivities which took place this year were carol singing on Boxing evening and the pleasures associated with a Christmas tree, which was decorated in the Victoria Ward on the following day. London Hospital,-The annual Christmas tree and entertainment
were
held
on
New Year’s Eve.
patient shared. A Christmas tree will be provided and ward teas and ward concerts take place during the succeeding, fortnight, and the festivities will conclude with a display of’ magic and ventriloquism on Jan. 15th. Samaritan Free Hospital for Women and Children.-. The Christmas festivities at this institution were held on Dec. 27th, and began with a musical and dramatic entertainment provided by the following artistes : Mr. John ’ Thomas (the Queen’s harper), Mrs. John Thomas, Miss! Orgill, Miss Napier, Miss and Master Peile, Mr. and MreHugh Bulkelpy, Madame L’Estrange, Miss Elsie Macmillan. Mr. W. H. Propert, Dr. Walter Tate, and Mr. Hutchons. They gave a very successful and highly artistic performance, and their efforts were much appreciated by the patients and nurses who were fortunate enough to be able to attend. A carol was sung by the nurses. After the entertainment the: annual distribution of Christmas gifts took place, and, thanks to the liberality of a number of kind-hearted friends, a. goodly stock of useful and ornamental articles were obtained. for the occasion and distributed amongst the patients, nursep, and servants of the hofpital. ’ City of London Hospital for -Diseases of the Chest.-Or, Christmas Day a dinner, consisting of the usual Christmas, fare, was provided for the patients at this hospital, at which some of the committee of management and governors were present. Christmas cards, books, periodicals, &c., were distributed, dolls, toys, &c., provided by Truth and other friends, being given to the juvenile patients. In the evening a. musical entertainment took place which was much apevery
Royal Free Hospital -A very enjoyable day was spent at this hospital on Dec. 25tb. The seven wards were decorated by the nurses. As a third of the beds were closed in con- preciated. East London Hospital for Children.-The Christmas entersequence of alterations there were only 120 patients in the hospital. A dinr,er consisting of the usual Christmas dishes tainment for the patients of this hospital was held on. was served at 12.30, after which a briar pipe and an ounce Dec. 29ch. of tobacco, the gift of Mr. J. M. Grant, a member of the Victoria Hospital for Children.-Her Royal Highness board, were given to each of the men, and fruit was provided Princess Louise has signified her intention to be present for the women and children. A special invitation was sent to-day (Friday) at the Christmas treat to be given at this by the matron to each child who had been an inmate of the institution. hospital during the year and to the friends of the patients, Dreadnottght Seamen’s Hospital.-On Christmas Day ser and a large number put in an appearance between two and vice was held in the hospital chapel at 10.30 A.M., and the three o’clock, when as guests they received every consideration. Christmas dinner, consisting of turkey and plum pudding, After tea, at which all the visitors were present, several was served to the patients at 12.30 P.M. On Dec. 28th. entertainments were given by the nurses in the different there was a concert and dance for the nurses, commencing wards. Each patient and each of the young guests receivedat 7.30, on which occasion Mr. P. A. Nairne, the deputy a suitable present, those for the children being hung on thechairman, brought his private band. On Jan. 3rd there ..,
""
Christmas tree. Great ivortiter7i
Boxing manner
was
central
Hospital.-Christmas Day ana Day at this hospital were celebrated in the customary by the decoration of each ward by the nurses and
convalescing patients with holly, ivy, and mistletoe, supplied in abundance by numerous friends of the hospital living in the neighbourhood. The patients, with few exceptions, thoroughly enjoyed a Christmas dinner of turkey and plum pudding, and an extensive distribution of toys made all the children happy. On Boxing Day an impromptu concert was organised in the Henry Quin Ward by the staff, and was much enjoyed by the patients. The annual entertainment for the patients will not, however, take place until Jan. 15tb, when a series of tableanx vivants and a concert will be given under the direction of Mrs. Herbert Allingham. The German Hospi,tal.-The wards of this hospital were tastefully decorated, and on Christmas Eve the trees were illuminated, presenting a very pretty spectacle. Carols were sung, and a distribution of suitable presents was made to the patients, nursing staff, and attendants. Hospital for Consumption, Brompton.-At this institution Christmas was, as usual, kept in exceedingly pleasant fashion. The galleries and wards were beautifully decorated with evergreens by the willing hands of sisters and nurses The dinner consisted of turkeys and plum puddings and wine. Early on Christmas morning the nurses sang carols on the galleries, and later there were services in the chapel. On Friday evening the usual Christmas tree distribution took place in the entertainment room, every inmate receiving a handsome gift, through the kindness of the Misses Heddy and many other friends of the institution. National Hospital for the Paralysed and Epileptic.-At this hospital every effort was made to make Christmastide bright and cheerful. Books and cards were distributed at breakfast time, and after dinner and dessert a round of festivities was begun in the wards, including the performances of a negro troupe organised by the house physicians. Friends were admitted on Boxing Day, and on the Thursday there a grand entertainment in the large hall, with a distribution of useful gifts arranged by the Lady Superintendent, in which
was
a
,
...
,
Christmas tree for the children who had been
patients during the year or were present in the wards, and on a date early in January Mrs. Fredk. Smith of Lewisbam Hill will give an entertainment to the patients in the recrea-. tion T:
room. /7_...._
The Cancer
TT ____u. 7
T.
_._..r..._
/1._ !’1.
-
J
T’B - --
7__
Hospital, Brompton,-On Christmas Day the whole of the patients who were well enough to partake of Christmas fare were regaled with turkey, plum pudding, and.’ other such luxuries. On Jan. 2nd high tea was held with the usual Christmas tree amusements. This hospital provides regular entertainments (either dramatic or musical) throughout the winter season about once a fortnight. Among the provincial institutions the staffs of which ministered to the happiness of the sick inmates were the Bristol Royal Infirmary, the Children’s Hospital and the Eye Hospital in the same town, the Nottingham General Hospital and the Children’s Hospital, the Fleming Memorial Hospital, Newcastle, and the York County Hospital. Christmas Day at the Royal Berks Hospital was spent in a very happy manner, game, turkeys, and other Christmas fare being supplied in abundance.
Public Health
and
Poor Law.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT. REPORTS OF MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HEALTH.
Staffordshire County Sanitary District.-Dr. George Reid, in his annual report for 1893, follows his usual practice of dealing with the district reports under subject-headings, instead of, as is done by some county medical officers, giving a synopsis of each report separately. Dr. Reid, however, supplies at the end of his report excellent tables which practically summarise the work done in each sanitary district in the county, and it is easy to obtain at a glance any information that may be required as to any given place. A special
a
of Accounts for the Year ending Dec. 31st, 1894.
I find by the Bankers’ Book that the actual balance on Jan. 1st, 1894, to the credit of the Fund was ;E1334., to which the sum of £ 300 was added by the Proprietors of THE LANCET on the same day. The balance at the Bankers’ at the present date is the sum of 110 4s. I have also checked the receipts for disbursements and find the above account strictly accurate. HENRY A. PITMAN, Hon. Auditor. December 28th, 1894.
CHRISTMAS AT THE HOSPITALS.
with wine, was served in all the wards 12.30, and from 2 till 4 o’clock in the afternoon the hos-
plum pudding, &c., at
open to visitors so that the patients could have their friendswith them. The Christmas tea was served soon after 4 o’clock, the wards being illuminated. After tea the resident medical officers and the nursing staff, assisted by some friends, gave short concerts in the wards, excepting those wards where any of the patients were thought to be too ill to bear the music. These entertainments were most enthusiastically joined in by the patients, and were very successful. The whole day passed delightfully, resident medical officers, students, sisters, and nurses all successfully endeavouring to make others happy ard themselves thoroughly happy in
pital was
As far as circumstances permitted high festival has been ’held in the wards of many of our London hospitals during the Christmas season, and praise is due both to the medical and lay staffa of the institutions concerned for their endeavours to lighten the burdens of the sufferers whom misfortune has placed on a bed of sickness. King’s College Hospital. On the locker at each bedside was placed a Christmas gift of warm clothing for -each patient on awakening on Christmas morning. The doing so. Jltddlesex HospUal.-On Christmas Day the patients of the wards were beautifully decorated with drapery, evergreens, and flowers, and illuminated with innumerable Middlesex Hospital were regaled with tne usual Christmas candles and fairy lamps, and looked brilliant in their many fare, and in the evening with tea, cake, and light refreshlights and colours. Christmas dinner, consisting of turkey, ments. A mcnster Christmas tree was erected in the b)ard -
61 room, irom w]2icti all patients wno were well enough to come down received a gift, while for those confined to the wards a bran-pie was taken round, and every patient, nurse, and
servant of the institution received a present. It has been decided to defer for a few weeks the concert given by the Middlesex Hospital Musical Society, under the leadership of Dr. J. J. Pringle, who is organising a brilliant entertainment of song, recitation, and instrumental music for the amusement of the unfortunate sufferers in the hospital. St. George’s Horpit{tl.-Tbe usual Christmas festivities were
indulged in, and those who were well enough to eat them supplied with roast beef and plum pudding on Christmas Day. On the evening of the 27th an entertainment for the patients was given, and a liberal tea presided over and served to the patients by the lady visitors and their friends were
provided. A musical entertainment was also held in all the wards where the patients were not too ill to suffer in consequence. Christmas trees were provided for the amusement of the children, and the beautiful presents of toys received from ’Çrllth were distributed. Everything was done as far as possible to give the patients a happy Christmas season. St. 17lOmaS’S Hospital,-The only festivities which took place this year were carol singing on Boxing evening and the pleasures associated with a Christmas tree, which was decorated in the Victoria Ward on the following day. London Hospital,-The annual Christmas tree and entertainment
were
held
on
New Year’s Eve.
patient shared. A Christmas tree will be provided and ward teas and ward concerts take place during the succeeding, fortnight, and the festivities will conclude with a display of’ magic and ventriloquism on Jan. 15th. Samaritan Free Hospital for Women and Children.-. The Christmas festivities at this institution were held on Dec. 27th, and began with a musical and dramatic entertainment provided by the following artistes : Mr. John ’ Thomas (the Queen’s harper), Mrs. John Thomas, Miss! Orgill, Miss Napier, Miss and Master Peile, Mr. and MreHugh Bulkelpy, Madame L’Estrange, Miss Elsie Macmillan. Mr. W. H. Propert, Dr. Walter Tate, and Mr. Hutchons. They gave a very successful and highly artistic performance, and their efforts were much appreciated by the patients and nurses who were fortunate enough to be able to attend. A carol was sung by the nurses. After the entertainment the: annual distribution of Christmas gifts took place, and, thanks to the liberality of a number of kind-hearted friends, a. goodly stock of useful and ornamental articles were obtained. for the occasion and distributed amongst the patients, nursep, and servants of the hofpital. ’ City of London Hospital for -Diseases of the Chest.-Or, Christmas Day a dinner, consisting of the usual Christmas, fare, was provided for the patients at this hospital, at which some of the committee of management and governors were present. Christmas cards, books, periodicals, &c., were distributed, dolls, toys, &c., provided by Truth and other friends, being given to the juvenile patients. In the evening a. musical entertainment took place which was much apevery
Royal Free Hospital -A very enjoyable day was spent at this hospital on Dec. 25tb. The seven wards were decorated by the nurses. As a third of the beds were closed in con- preciated. East London Hospital for Children.-The Christmas entersequence of alterations there were only 120 patients in the hospital. A dinr,er consisting of the usual Christmas dishes tainment for the patients of this hospital was held on. was served at 12.30, after which a briar pipe and an ounce Dec. 29ch. of tobacco, the gift of Mr. J. M. Grant, a member of the Victoria Hospital for Children.-Her Royal Highness board, were given to each of the men, and fruit was provided Princess Louise has signified her intention to be present for the women and children. A special invitation was sent to-day (Friday) at the Christmas treat to be given at this by the matron to each child who had been an inmate of the institution. hospital during the year and to the friends of the patients, Dreadnottght Seamen’s Hospital.-On Christmas Day ser and a large number put in an appearance between two and vice was held in the hospital chapel at 10.30 A.M., and the three o’clock, when as guests they received every consideration. Christmas dinner, consisting of turkey and plum pudding, After tea, at which all the visitors were present, several was served to the patients at 12.30 P.M. On Dec. 28th. entertainments were given by the nurses in the different there was a concert and dance for the nurses, commencing wards. Each patient and each of the young guests receivedat 7.30, on which occasion Mr. P. A. Nairne, the deputy a suitable present, those for the children being hung on thechairman, brought his private band. On Jan. 3rd there ..,
""
Christmas tree. Great ivortiter7i
Boxing manner
was
central
Hospital.-Christmas Day ana Day at this hospital were celebrated in the customary by the decoration of each ward by the nurses and
convalescing patients with holly, ivy, and mistletoe, supplied in abundance by numerous friends of the hospital living in the neighbourhood. The patients, with few exceptions, thoroughly enjoyed a Christmas dinner of turkey and plum pudding, and an extensive distribution of toys made all the children happy. On Boxing Day an impromptu concert was organised in the Henry Quin Ward by the staff, and was much enjoyed by the patients. The annual entertainment for the patients will not, however, take place until Jan. 15tb, when a series of tableanx vivants and a concert will be given under the direction of Mrs. Herbert Allingham. The German Hospi,tal.-The wards of this hospital were tastefully decorated, and on Christmas Eve the trees were illuminated, presenting a very pretty spectacle. Carols were sung, and a distribution of suitable presents was made to the patients, nursing staff, and attendants. Hospital for Consumption, Brompton.-At this institution Christmas was, as usual, kept in exceedingly pleasant fashion. The galleries and wards were beautifully decorated with evergreens by the willing hands of sisters and nurses The dinner consisted of turkeys and plum puddings and wine. Early on Christmas morning the nurses sang carols on the galleries, and later there were services in the chapel. On Friday evening the usual Christmas tree distribution took place in the entertainment room, every inmate receiving a handsome gift, through the kindness of the Misses Heddy and many other friends of the institution. National Hospital for the Paralysed and Epileptic.-At this hospital every effort was made to make Christmastide bright and cheerful. Books and cards were distributed at breakfast time, and after dinner and dessert a round of festivities was begun in the wards, including the performances of a negro troupe organised by the house physicians. Friends were admitted on Boxing Day, and on the Thursday there a grand entertainment in the large hall, with a distribution of useful gifts arranged by the Lady Superintendent, in which
was
a
,
...
,
Christmas tree for the children who had been
patients during the year or were present in the wards, and on a date early in January Mrs. Fredk. Smith of Lewisbam Hill will give an entertainment to the patients in the recrea-. tion T:
room. /7_...._
The Cancer
TT ____u. 7
T.
_._..r..._
/1._ !’1.
-
J
T’B - --
7__
Hospital, Brompton,-On Christmas Day the whole of the patients who were well enough to partake of Christmas fare were regaled with turkey, plum pudding, and.’ other such luxuries. On Jan. 2nd high tea was held with the usual Christmas tree amusements. This hospital provides regular entertainments (either dramatic or musical) throughout the winter season about once a fortnight. Among the provincial institutions the staffs of which ministered to the happiness of the sick inmates were the Bristol Royal Infirmary, the Children’s Hospital and the Eye Hospital in the same town, the Nottingham General Hospital and the Children’s Hospital, the Fleming Memorial Hospital, Newcastle, and the York County Hospital. Christmas Day at the Royal Berks Hospital was spent in a very happy manner, game, turkeys, and other Christmas fare being supplied in abundance.
Public Health
and
Poor Law.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT. REPORTS OF MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HEALTH.
Staffordshire County Sanitary District.-Dr. George Reid, in his annual report for 1893, follows his usual practice of dealing with the district reports under subject-headings, instead of, as is done by some county medical officers, giving a synopsis of each report separately. Dr. Reid, however, supplies at the end of his report excellent tables which practically summarise the work done in each sanitary district in the county, and it is easy to obtain at a glance any information that may be required as to any given place. A special
a