MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE GENERAL INFIRMARY.
INFIRMARIES stand at the head of the public charities that abound
in England; and certainly few have been so extensively useful as this
establishment. It was commenced in the following manner: Early in
1751, the members of a respectable Society in Newcastle (fn. 1) resolved, on
account of the deaths of some, and the advancing age of others of their
body, to discontinue their stated meetings; but, previous to their doing
so, to leave some permanent memorial of the society having existed, by
the proposal of some project of public utility. On the day appointed
for this benevolent purpose, the late eminent surgeon, Mr. Richard Lambert, then a
young man, suggested the establishment of an Infirmary; and this, appearing more
beneficial than any other project which had been presented, met with the unanimous
concurrence of the meeting. In consequence, a letter, signed K. B. was inserted in
the Newcastle papers, strongly recommending a subscription for effecting so desirable
an object.
This appeal was followed by a public subscription, which was spiritedly commenced
on the 9th of February, 1751; and on the 7th of March was published, on a sheet in
folio, with the list of the subscribers, a short dissertation, containing motives for establishing public Infirmaries. In order also to keep alive the benevolent feelings of
the public, a sermon was reprinted which had been preached before the governors of
the London Infirmary, at St. Lawrence, Jewry, March 31, 1748, by Joseph Butler,
then bishop of Bristol, In a short time, the annual subscriptions amounted to above
£1200. (fn. 2)
On April 13, 1751, a subscription was opened for building the new Infirmary, on
a part of the Forth Banks, granted by the corporation under the charge of a small
annual rent. (fn. 3) At the same time, the following officers and servants were
chosen:—Treasurer, Mr. Joseph Airey; Physicians, Dr. Askew, Dr. Cooper, Dr.
Johnson, Dr. Lambert; Surgeons, Mr. Samuel Hallowell, Mr. Richard Lambert;
House-apothecary, Mr. Henry Gibson; Secretary, Mr. Thomas Turnbull; Matron,
Mrs. Dorothy Jackson. There were also chosen a house-committee of thirty-six
gentlemen; twelve of each of the counties of Durham, Newcastle, and Northumberland. A similar committee was appointed to settle the plan, and regulate all matters
relating to the building. Twelve trustees for the intended building, four of each
county, were also chosen; and three trustees for laying out money in the public
funds, one of each county. It was, at the same time, resolved to carry the charity
into immediate execution. For this purpose, a house was taken in Gallowgate, capable of containing twenty-three beds; and, on the 23d of May, it was opened for the
reception of patients. On this occasion, a large number of the governors met at the
Exchange, and from thence went in procession, accompanied by the magistrates in
their formalities, to St. Nicholas' church, when the Rev. Archdeacon Sharp preached
a sermon from Luke, chap. x. ver. 36, 37, and which was afterwards printed at the
request of the committee. After divine service, the committee went to the Infirmary
in Gallowgate, where seven in-patients and four out-patients were admitted, after
being examined by the receiving physician and surgeons, and approved of as proper
objects. On the 30th, seven more patients were admitted; and, shortly afterwards,
the applicants for admission became so numerous, that the committee hired what
lodgings could be procured in the neighbourhood.
On September 5, 1751, the foundation-stone of the new building was laid by the
Right Rev. Dr. Joseph Butler, Lord Bishop of Durham, when a great number of
the governors dined with the Sons of the Clergy, at the Turk's Head, from whence
they went in procession to the Forth Banks. A plate of copper was fixed on the
stone, with the following inscription:—"The foundation of this Infirmary was laid
on the 5th day of September, in the 25th year of the reign of King George II.
1751, by the Rt. Rev. Joseph Lord Bishop of Durham, Grand Visitor." And on
the reverse,—"The ground was given by the Corporation of Newcastle: Ralph
Sowerby, Esq. Mayor, William Clayton, Esq. Sheriff."
After the ceremony was over, the company retired to the Forth House, where
£147, 17s. was subscribed towards the building. The same day, Dr. Rotheram, of
Hexham, paid into the hands of the treasurer £42, being part of the produce of a
course of lectures on experimental philosophy, given by him at Hexham, for the
benefit of the Infirmary. In the evening, Mr. Avison gave a concert of vocal and
instrumental music, at the Assembly Room, for the same benevolent purpose, and
which produced £36, 15s.; the performers having given their assistance gratis.
The building was carried on with such spirit and diligence as to be finished and
opened for the reception of patients on October 8, 1752. It is computed to have cost
above £3000. Including additional bedding, linen, and furniture, the total disbursements towards the new building amounted to £3697, 7s. 9¾d. (fn. 4) The receipt for the
first year, ending April 6, 1752, amounted to £2643, 1s. 2½d. when it appeared 133
patients had been cured. The next anniversary was held June 17, 1753, when the
bishop, with the nobility and gentry, were entertained at dinner by the mayor (Henry
Eden, Esq.), on which occasion a turtle was served up, supposed to be the first of its
kind exhibited at an entertainment in the north of England.
On Friday, October 18, 1754, being St. Luke's day, the chapel of the Infirmary,
dedicated to that evangelist, and the burying ground adjoining, were consecrated by
the bishop of Durham, and a sermon preached on the occasion by the Rev. Thomas
Dockwray, M. A. (fn. 5)
The number of surgeons being found too limited, it was resolved, April 3, 1760,
"that the number of surgeons to this Infirmary be augmented from two to four."
This institution continued to produce the most beneficial effects: but, at length,
many of the original statutes for its regulation fell into disuse; while others, from
the great improvements in the management of hospitals, became unavoidably defective. Dr. Clark (fn. 6) directed the attention of the governors of this hospital to these
evils; and, at length, a special court was held, November 9, 1800, on this business,
when, in consequence of a report he laid before them, it was resolved, "That a committee of governors be appointed, to take the statutes, rules, and orders, into consi
deration, and to frame a code for the future conduct of the charity," with a further
direction, to lay the result of their labours before the next quarterly court, or, at
latest, before the general court in April. The alterations which Dr. Clark proposed
were highly important, and extended to every branch of the management of the institution. The original building was itself, in many respects, defective; some of the
wards were too large, and incapable of sufficient ventilation; many accommodations
for the medical officers, which appear essential, were wanting; no separation of the
medical and surgical patients could be made; and, finally, there was not room enough
for the numbers claiming admission, and the difficulty of rejecting those who were
proper objects, often led to the wards being in much too crowded a state. Dr. Clark
proposed many judicious alterations to remedy these defects, and also drew up several
very important regulations for the future conduct of the charity. He endeavoured
to secure economy in the application of its funds, by the revival of the weekly committee, and by introducing a new mode of appointing the members, calculated to
render it effective. A rule was established to prevent the election of medical officers
being influenced by private solicitations or party spirit, which, where they take place,
must often operate to the exclusion of merit. Nor did he overlook another most
important object of hospitals, "The Improvement of Medical Science." With a view
to this, he recommended, "The keeping a journal of all instructive cases, or dissections, to be preserved in the hospital for the inspection of the physicians and surgeons;
the keeping and preserving monthly and annual returns of the several diseases of the
persons admitted; and, lastly, the appropriation of a place in the Infirmary for the
reception of anatomical preparations, and of a professional library." (fn. 7)
The suggestion of the above improvements appeared of so much importance, that
the court unanimously resolved, "That a committee should be appointed to take the
statutes, rules, and orders, into consideration,—and to frame such a code for the future conduct of the charity as should appear to them necessary and expedient, from
change of circumstances, and from the improved knowledge of hospital arrangements."
This committee adopted the proposed improvements, and presented a new code to
the general court held April 2, 1801; when a special court was appointed to meet on
the 25th of June following, "To consider the expediency of the proposed internal
improvements of the Infirmary, and to procure plans of the intended extension of the
building, and estimates of the expense attending the same." A report of their proceedings and opinions thereon was ordered to be printed, and circulated among the
governors before their anniversary meeting in August. At that general meeting, it
was unanimously resolved, "That the Infirmary, in its then state, was but ill calculated to answer the benevolent purposes of such an institution; a committee was empowered to carry the projected improvements into execution, and a subscription
opened to defray the necessary expenses." The plan of the alterations in the old
Infirmary, and the plan and elevation of the extension of the building, with estimates
of the expense, were prepared by Mr. John Stokoe, an ingenious architect, under the
direction of Dr. Clark, who spared neither trouble nor expense to obtain plans of the
most improved infirmaries and hospitals in the kingdom, and descriptions of the best
modes of ventilation. These plans were approved of at this meeting, a committee
for improvement was formed, and a subscription was directed to be made to carry
the proposed design into execution. (fn. 8)
At this time, Dr. Clark laboured to effect "a wise, economical, efficient, and permanent co-operation of the Infirmary and Dispensary," in forming a Board of Health
for the eradication of febrile contagion, and for supporting patients received into the
fever-house annexed to the Infirmary, which the building committee had enlarged so as to contain 20 patients. But when the committee, that met at the Dispensary to carry these important objects into execution, communicated with the
weekly committee of the Infirmary, it was discovered that a difference of opinion
prevailed amongst the medical officers of that establishment as to its safety. Dr. Clark
was greatly surprised and grieved at this unexpected opposition; and a warm controversy ensued. Supported by the highest medical authority, this learned physician
contended that the fever-house could not extend infection to the Infirmary; in which
opinion he was defended by Dr. Ramsay, and Mr. R. B. Abbs and Mr. R.
Keenlyside, surgeons; and opposed by Dr. Wood, and Mr. Horn and Mr. W.
Ingham, surgeons. Dr. Steavenson thought that perfect safety depended upon a
wall of separation. (fn. 9) At a general meeting of governors, held June 24, 1802, the
plan of opening the fever-wards at the west end of the new building was rejected by
a great majority. Dr. Clark, however, being firmly convinced that without such
wards "every infirmary must be very defective," recommended an application to the
bishop of Durham, as Grand Visitor of the charity, to appoint a general meeting to
take into consideration the propriety of this vote. A requisition, very numerously
and respectably signed, was accordingly transmitted to his lordship, who, in compliance with it, directed a general meeting to be held on the 12th of October. At that
meeting, a much more numerous attendance of governors took place than had ever
been known; but as the plan for admitting contagious diseases into the fever-wards
had excited very great alarm, it was not thought for the interest of the charity to
press the question. A compromise therefore took place, by which it was agreed, that
if a separate fever-house, approved by the Grand Visitor, were not ready by the 31st
of October, 1803, he should be empowered to open the fever-wards of the hospital
for the general reception of patients. This resolution accelerated the erection of the
Fever House.
The Infirmary stands in an open, dry, elevated situation, at a short distance from
the town, and from the river Tyne; but during the east winds in the spring months,
it is considerably annoyed by immense clouds of smoke brought from the town and
glass-houses. The out-grounds are convenient, and command a pleasing prospect of
the adjoining country. The old building is of stone, and presents a plain but elegant
front to the south. From the eastern extremity there runs northward a spacious
wing, fronting the east. The principal, or south front, contains four stories; the
basement, the ground-floor, the chamber, and the attic. The wing is two stories
high, with an attic ward at its northern extremity. The ground floor is 13 feet, the
chamber 12, and the attic story 9 feet high. The front and the wing nearly form a
quadrangle; but in erecting the new building, it was an object to avoid this form,
for which reason it commences immediately where the front galleries of the old
building terminated towards the west. By this means, both houses were made to
communicate, and a thorough ventilation is secured. This new erection is built of
brick, and is 125 feet long. The basement story is 11 feet high, and the second and
third stories 14 feet high. Patients are now well accommodated, and the wards are
kept remarkably clean, airy, and neat. All the bedsteads are made of hammered
iron, with joints, to turn up in the day-time; and some of them have a screw to raise
or lower the back, for altering the position of patients when in a weak state. The
wards in the south front have strong Venetian blinds on the outside; and every
window has a portion of each pane in the top of the upper sash cut away, and a
moveable frame of glass placed on a cross bar, in order to admit more or less air at
pleasure. Many other ingenious contrivances are adopted to obtain a succession of
pure fresh air. Such patients as are able to sit up are removed to the dining-rooms,
or cross galleries, for a few hours daily, while their beds are carried into the open air,
and the wards exposed to ventilation. Each story in the new house has a gallery six
feet six inches broad, in which the patients walk when the weather is wet; and every
floor is furnished with a nurse's room, scullery, and water-closet, conveniently situated, and abundantly supplied with water from a large leaden cistern, placed on the
top of the new building, where it joins the old Infirmary. Warm baths, on an
improved plan, were erected by subscription in 1817. The other numerous and
important improvements introduced into this hospital have insured wholesome accommodations to the sick and convalescent, and rendered it one of the most complete
charities of the kind in England. The east wing contains the physicians' and surgeons' consulting-rooms, a waiting-hall, and a dispensary. In the governors' room
are elegant portraits of Sir Walter Blackett, Bart. by Reynolds; Matthew Ridley,
Esq. by Webb; Dr. Joseph Butler, bishop of Durham; Dr. Benson, bishop of
Gloucester; William Ingham, Esq.; and one of Shute Barrington, the late bishop
of Durham, painted by Owen; all of whom were great benefactors to this charity.
Since the commencement of the Infirmary in 1751, to March 31, 1826, no less than
59,877 cures have been performed. During the last Infirmary year, 1447 persons
were restored to their friends and the community wholly freed from their complaints.
Of this number, 803 were in-patients. By the last report, it also appears that 115
patients remained in the house. Persons meeting with sudden accidents, or labouring under diseases requiring the immediate help of surgery, are admitted, without any
recommendation, at any hour of the day or night; but all other patients are admitted
on Thursdays only, by a letter of recommendation from a subscriber or benefactor.
Those not admissible into this charity are, women big with child; children under
seven years of age, except those upon whom surgical operations are to be performed;
persons judged to be incurable, (fn. 10) or in a dying condition, or labouring under insanity,
the small-pox, or other infectious distemper, or afflicted with cancer not admitting of
operation, or with consumption, scrofula, or dropsy, in the last stage.
Governors, who are either annual subscribers of two guineas or upwards, or benefactors of twenty pounds or more at one time, have the direction of the affairs of the
Infirmary. Four general courts are holden in each year, viz. on the first Thursday
in April, July, October, and January, for the dispatch of extraordinary business, and
auditing and ordering payments of the quarterly accounts; and a committee of governors attends weekly on Thursday, to admit and discharge the patients, to examine
the weekly accounts, to superintend the conduct of the officers and servants, and to
control the expenditure of the house. The duties of this committee (which, in its
constitution, is an open committee) are, in their nature, important and various; the
presence, therefore, of any governor, not named on the committee, on a Thursday, at
the Infirmary, is particularly solicited. Two, also, of the neighbouring governors are
appointed, in weekly rotation, to visit the house, and to enquire into the conduct of
the different departments, and into the behaviour of the patients and servants, and to
report their observations to the house committee, in "The House Visitors' Book," in
the governors' hall; and governors, as well those residing in the country as those not
so, are also requested to take the trouble of visiting the house whenever they have
an opportunity.
Subscribers, who commenced their subscriptions prior to the 2d day of April, 1807,
may recommend, for one guinea, yearly, one in-patient, or two out-patients; for two
guineas, double this number; and so in proportion for larger sums. Benefactors of
ten pounds have the same right of recommendation as subscribers of one guinea
yearly; and benefactors to a larger amount, after the same ratio. But those subscribers who commenced their subscriptions on and after the 2d day of April, 1807,
recommend, for one guinea yearly, not more than one out-patient; and, for two guineas yearly, not more than two out-patients, or one in-patient: and this is a scale of
recommendation which belongs to benefactors whose benefactions were made on or
since the 2d of April, 1807, and will govern all future benefactions.
The revenues of the Infirmary arise partly from funded property, but principally
from annual contributions and donations. The disbursements are much diminished,
in consequence of great quantities of coals being given by the principal coal-owners
in the neighbourhood. The greater part of the pecuniary capital belonging to the
Infirmary hath been invested (in virtue of the power of an act of parliament, passed
in the 1st year of his present majesty's reign, for amending the savings banks acts of
parliament passed in his late majesty's reign) in the names of Sir Matthew White
Ridley, Bart. M. P. and Cuthbert Ellison, Esq. M. P. as trustees for the Infirmary,
which investment produces interest at the rate of £4, 11s. 3d. per centum per annum,
and by which a permanent advantage has accrued to the institution, namely, an increase of capital to its funds, and annually to its receipts; the dividends formerly
arising yielding only £199, 4s. annually, whereas the present interest received from
the savings bank yields £289, 17s. 1d. annually, being an annual increase of £90,
13s. 1d. in favour of the charity; and this change was effected very seasonably, as a
reduction of interest, from £5 to £4 per cent. had taken place on certain moneys belonging to the institution, to the amount of £30 a year. An accurate idea of the
accounts of the Infirmary may be obtained from the following abstract, from 1st
April, 1825, to 31st March, 1826, inclusive:—
|
| RECEIPTS. | PAYMENTS. |
| L. | s. | d. | Victuals. | L. | s. | d. | L. | s. | d. |
| 1825. 1st April, 1826 | To balance in the treasurer's hand | 266 | 13 | 1 | Bread and flour | 259 | 8 | 6 | | | |
| 31st March | Amount of annual subscriptions received from 1st April, 1825, to this date Subscriptions due for this year, unpaid, L431, 13s. | 1584 | 3 | 6 | Butcher meat | 441 | 2 | 8 | | | |
| Arrears received this year | 141 | 15 | 0 | Subscriptions received in advance, commencing 1st April, 1826 | 38 | 17 | 0 |
| Dividends, Interest, and Rent-charge, viz. | Cheese and butter | 36 | 13 | 8 | | | |
| To cash of the corporation of Newcastle, from one year's interest on 3500l. at 4l. per cent. per annum, due 17th February, 1826 | L140 | 0 | 0 | | | | Eggs and milk | 226 | 3 | 4 | | | |
| Ditto, a year's interest on 500L at 4l. per cent. per annum, due 5th Feb. 1826 | 20 | 0 | 0 | | | | Fish and poultry | 7 | 16 | 0 | | | |
| Ditto, for a year's interest on 100l. the Rev. Dr. Tew's legacy, due 9th January, 1826 | 4 | 0 | 0 | | | | Garden stuff, including potatoes | 54 | 16 | 3 | | | |
| Ditto, for a year's perpetual rent-charge given by the late Mrs. E. Baker, due 5th November, 1825 | 4 | 10 | 0 | | | | Oatmeal | 56 | 4 | 0 | | | |
| The trustees of the Ponteland road, one year's interest on 1000l. due 7th December, 1825 | 50 | 0 | 0 | | | | Pot Barley | 28 | 13 | 0 | | | |
| Interest on 6353l. 5s. invested in the Newcastle upon Tyne Savings Bank, due 20th November, 1825, at 4l. 11s. 3d. per cent. | 289 | 17 | 1 | | | | Groceries | 96 | 15 | 0 | | | |
| The trustees of the Wearmouth Bridge and Tyne Bridge turnpike road, 2 years' interest on 100l. due 12th May, 1825 | 10 | 0 | 0 | | | | Salt | 2 | 9 | 7 | | | |
| 518 | 7 | 1 | | 1210 | 2 | 0 |
| Benefactions. | Liquors. |
| Cuthbert Dunn, Esq. Newcastle | 21 | 0 | 0 | | | | Malt, hops, and brewing | 95 | 7 | 0 | | | |
| Frederick Pollock, Esq. barrister on the northern circuit | 20 | 0 | 0 | | | | Wine | 69 | 13 | 0 | | | |
| John Wilson, Esq. Ryton | 20 | 0 | 0 | | | | | 165 | 0 | 0 |
| Matthew Bell, Esq. M. P. | 50 | 0 | 0 | | | | Furniture and Repairs | 179 | 0 | 4 |
| The Right Honourable Lord Prudhoe | 50 | 0 | 0 | | | | Candles | 17 | 3 | 9 | | | |
| 161 | 0 | 0 | Cloth, thread, &c. including calico and tape for the surgery | 33 | 3 | 4 | | | |
| Donatlons | Incidents. |
| Edward Swinburne, Esq. | 5 | 0 | 0 | | | | Garden | 27 | 9 | 3 | | | |
| Edward Hurry, Esq. of London | 10 | 10 | 0 | | | | Shaving and sending patients home | 19 | 8 | 0 | | | |
| A lady, by the hands of H. Hewitson, Esq. | 5 | 0 | 0 | | | | Washing | 15 | 12 | 6 | | | |
| The executors of the late Mrs. Kirton, of Albion Street | 5 | 0 | 0 | | | | Porter's clothes | 4 | 0 | 6 | | | |
| C. T. | 1 | 0 | 0 | | | | Matron's sundries, viz. hardware, earthenware, woodenware, brushes, sand, mats, whitening, cord, &c. | 29 | 11 | 0 | | | |
| The Slaters' and Tylers' Company | 3 | 0 | 0 | | | | | 146 | 8 | 4 |
| Mr. Birch, of Newgate Street | 2 | 2 | 0 | | | | Salaries and Wages. |
| Miss Jackson, of Whitburn | 2 | 0 | 0 | | | | House-surgeon | 60 | 0 | 0 | | | |
| A gentleman, by the hands of the treasurer | 50 | 0 | 0 | | | | Secretary | 42 | 0 | 0 | | | |
| Mr. Richard Goodlad | 2 | 0 | 0 | | | | Chaplain | 20 | 0 | 0 | | | |
| 96 | 2 | 0 | Matron | 42 | 0 | 0 | | | |
| Church Collection. | Nurses and servants | 128 | 14 | 6 | | | |
| Collection at the anniversary sermon, 9th Oct. 1825 | 21 | 12 | 3 | | 292 | 14 | 6 |
| Incidents. | Coals leading, and keel dues and wood | 29 | 16 | 6 |
| Balance from the anniversary dinner, 3d Aug. 1825 | 31 | 19 | 6 | Printing, paper, stamps, postages, and advertisements | 37 | 14 | 6 |
| Contents of the Poor Box | 2 | 7 | 7 | One year's ground-rent to the corporation of Newcastle | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Sale of yeast and grains | 11 | 12 | 4 | One year's new water rent | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| Amount of discount allowed by tradesmen | 26 | 1 | 0 | One year's insurance at the Newcastle Fire-office on 7000l. | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| | | | | | | | Apothecary's drugs, surgical instruments for the house use, trusses, &c. | 592 | 19 | 1 |
| House-surgeon, the second portion of Mr. Holt's apprentice-fee | 42 | 0 | 0 |
| Window tax and servants tax | 7 | 9 | 4 |
| Ground and water rent paid Geo. Anderson, Esq. 2 years | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| 2748 | 14 | 1 |
| By balance due from the treasurer 31st March, 1826 | 154 | 16 | 3 |
| L 2903 | 10 | 4 | | L 2903 | 10 | 4 |
The establishment of the Infirmary, for the 75th year, ending the 31st March,
1826, was as follows:—
Grand Visitor, The Honourable and Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Durham. Presidents, His Grace
the Duke of Northumberland; His Grace the Duke of Portland; The Right Honourable the Earl Grey;
The Most Noble the Marquis of Bute; The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Newcastle; The Right Honourable the Earl of Tankerville. Vice-presidents, Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bart. M. P.; The Right
Honourable Lord Ravensworth; Thomas Richard Beaumont, Esq.; Charles John Brandling, Esq. M. P.;
Sir John Edward Swinburne, Bart.; Cuthbert Ellison, Esq. M. P. Stewards, for Northumberland, Sir
H. D. C. St. Paul, Bart. M. P.; John Davidson, Esq.: for Durham, William Barras, Esq.; Samuel
Walker Parker, Esq.: for Newcastle, George Shadforth, Esq.; Thomas Wailes, Esq. Preacher of the Anniversary Sermon, The Reverend William Hawks, B. D. Physicians, Thomas Emerson Headlam, M. D.;
Noel Thomas Smith, M. D.; Darnell Bulman, M. D.; Thomas M'Whirter, M. D. Surgeons, Mr. Thomas
Leighton; Mr. Edward Smiles; Mr. William Moore; Mr. John Baird. Treasurer, William Boyd, Esq.
Secretary, Mr. Nathaniel John Winch. House-surgeon, Mr. James Church. Chaplain, The Rev. John
Parkin. Matron, Mrs. Eleanor Pattison.