Rotherham Hospital and Dispensary.

  • Rotherham Hospital and Dispensary.
Date:
[1868]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Rotherham Hospital and Dispensary. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    Mjwfjani iMpifal anil Sfajman]. The population of the Parish of Rotherham and within a short distance around, may now be safely estimated at 50,000, and is rapidly increasing. Many Working Men of the District are employed in Collieries, Iron Works, &c., and many in Agriculture, among engines, machinery, horses, carriages, &c., so that a large number of Accidents must, from the nature of their employ- ment, be expected. But there is no provision made in the District for the accommodation of patients or for the proper treatment of such accidents. A small and crowded cottage is obviously a bad place for a patient suffering from a severe injury. The nearest Hospital is at present at Sheffield—and it is difficult to carry patients so far in bad cases. Indeed, the Medical Men of the place say that many lives have been lost simply on account of the distance, because Patients are so exhausted by prolonged sufferings, increased, it may be, by the motion of a cart or cab on rough roads or even by railway, that they are in a state of collapse on their arrival in Sheffield, and unable to bear the operation which might, if performed an hour or two earlier, have saved life. It is now however proposed to build a Hospital with Room for Twenty carrying on and extending the work of the Rotherham Dispensary. or Twenty-five • Beds, and with proper accomodation for After the business had been set on foot by a preliminary Committee, a Public Meeting was held on the 6th March, 1868, (the Right Honourable the Earl Fitzwilliam in the Chair,) at which Resolutions were unanimously passed affirming that such Hospital accomodation was necessary, and giving a pledge that every exertion should be made to provide it. It is estimated that £7,500, at least will be required for the Land, Building, and Furniture of the Hospital; and that not less than £1,200, annually, will be required for the maintenance of the Institution—assuming that Twenty-four Beds are needed, and that the Dispensary work continues as at present. The Workmen in the chief works in the neighbourhood have been invited to help in the establishment and maintenance of the Hospital, and many of them have promptly and nobly responded to the call. The warm interest thus taken in the movement by the Working Men is at once the strongest proof of its necessity, and a bright augury for its success. A Draft of Fundamental Rules for the Constitution of the Hospital has been prepared and awaits the approval of the Subscribers. The Governors of the Rotherham Dispensary have publicly declared their conviction that such provision is desirable, and expressed their willingness to co-operate in any well considered scheme for supplying the want. A most eligible site has been purchased. Plans have been fixed upon for the Buildings, &c., by the Committee, in accordance with the recommendation of the Medical Gentlemen of the Town, who have taken great pains to adopt the best arrangements. Subscriptions have been promised as per list on the other side. Your aid in carrying out this great object is earnestly solicited. An intimation by note or otherwise, stating the amount you are disposed to contribute, will be thankfully received. JOHN BARRAS, HONORARY SECRETARY.