On infantile mortality, and the establishment of hospitals for sick children : read before the Dublin Obstetrical Society, January 8th, 1859 / by William Moore.

  • Moore, William, M.D.
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On infantile mortality, and the establishment of hospitals for sick children : read before the Dublin Obstetrical Society, January 8th, 1859 / by William Moore. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    sick children. In January, 1843, of 2,363 patients in all the hospitals, only 26 children were under 10, suf- fering from diseases peculiar to their age. Medical knowledge concerning children’s diseases, is very defec- tive, owing to the want of sufficient opportunities for their study. A special hospital for children is needed, because the proper care for sick children requires spe- cial arrangements. Children’s hospitals have been established with success in seventeen of the chief cities of Europe, but there was not one in the United king- dom until the present hospital was established. We find that during the past year, 325 in-patients, and 9,025 out-patients have been admitted, making a total of 1,483 in-patients, and 39,330 out-patients, who have received the benefits of this hospital since it was opened in February, 1852. The committee hope to place this institution on a permanent basis by commencing two funds, one for endowment, the other a building fund. On the recent festive occasion at which Mr. Charles Dickens presided, the funds were materially strengthened by the addi- tion of £2850 ; and for £500 of this sum the com- mittee are indebted to an anonymous benefactress. The report goes on to thank those clergymen who either preached on behalf of the hospital or who allowed sermons to be preached and collections to be made for it in their churches. The medical profession have given their cordial support to this charity from its commencement ; 71 of their number, including some of the most distinguished physicians and surgeons, officiated as stewards at the festival. Sir Charles Locock, speaking of it, says, “ It is a decided want in this metropolis—you have my best wishes for its success, and shall have any influence I can obtain for you.” Dr. Latham, “ I will venture to say, that the poor as a class, will gain more from the establishment of an hospital for children’s diseases, than they would from any general hospital.” Dr. Watson writes, “ It