Publi& H ealtk and Social Welfare Work
their services free from all pecuniary consideration, doubt the success of our efforts to place the Island City Hospital in a condition to compare favorably with any similar institution."' The Sisters accordingly took over the nursing care of the patients on May 8, 1868. These members of the Order, which had fortunately· been reinforced by six after the epidemic, set about cleaning and putting in order the sadly neglected City Hospital. The Galveston News commented shortly afterwards: "A visitor of the City and Marine Hospital informs us that the institution is now conducted in fine style. Everything is kept tidy and clean. The patients have the careful and unremitting attention of the best nurses." Under the new efficient management the City Hospital was put on a revenue producing basis that greatly pleased the city. During the first two months the receipts exceeded expenditures in the amount of $1,406.00, even after making allowance for the modest compensation g·iven the Sisters. In spite of the reduced expenses, an inspection showed the patients had been supplied everything they needed in food and medi- cine and the public was invited to see for itself by visiting the institution. 9 In the first six months 1,1 IO patients were received and cared for with a mortality of less than four per cent. The Sisters were allowed the sum of $500.00 as a donation for their services from May to December, 1868. The demands, however, grew to such proportions, that in justice to the patients, and to avoid a return to conditions which had previously existed, it was decided to make some new arrangements with the Sisters. The City Hospital was, therefore, discontinued as a separate institution in 1879, and an arrangement made with the Sisters to take care of city patients in St. Mary's Infirmary, as their old Charity Hospital came to be known. 10 On May 28, 1879, the City Council entered into a contract with the Sisters of St. Mary's Infirmary for them to care for the city patients. The City Hospital was abandoned; the rambling, rundown shack placed under a caretaker; and the medicines, other perishable supplies, and an old cow sold to St. Mary's Infirmary. Until the John Sealy Hospital was opened in January, 1890, St. Mary's continued to care for the city patients, the contract having been renewed annually. The most cordial relations existed between the Texas Medical College and Hospital and the Sisters. The catalogue of the college published in 1 /bill., 24. 9 For a report on an official visit made in July, I 868, see Galveston Daily N nPS, July I 2, I 868. 10 Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, /)ia,,,ofld Jubi/44 1 24-26.
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