Public Health and Social Welfare Work
377
Santa Rosa Hospital was formally opened with a Mass on December 3, two days later than announced. Soon a large number of persons regis- tered for treatment, not all being pay patients. In those early days the Sisters suffered many privations cheerfully, foregoing not infrequently meals and other necessities so that the charity patients might want for nothing. A representative of the loyal Weekly Express visited the hospital on January 13, 1870, a little more than a month after its opening and has left us an eyewitness description in his article. The hospital was situated in what then was called the west end of the city, opposite the Courthouse. Two stories high, it had three large, stone, door entrances and was roofed with slate. There was a little chapel for those who wished to pray. The four large halls were divided into rooms by moveable partitions for the easy enlargement of any one when need arose. There were fifty rooms in all, with high ceilings, and all well ventilated and lighted, each capable of accommodating two patients. The water system was most ingenius, the reporter commented. It was pumped from a large reservoir into a tank above from which it was led through pipes to the "bathing house. the washing house, and into several departments." There was also a rain cistern for the water to be used for drinking and cooking. The grounds looked desolate as yet for lack of a garden and flowers, but that would come later. At the lower end of the yard were two small buildings, one for laundry purposes and the other for keeping "the dead" when so ordered by the physician. In the beginning the city charity patients were received without charge, but the moderate rates collected from pay patients left little profit to care for the poor. The rates were 50 cts., 75 cts., and "occasionally $1.25" a day. By September, 1871, a contract had been made with the city to care for the indigent for 50 cents a day each. But great was the spirit of charity that animated the devoted Sisters who often labored all day in the kitchen or the laundry after spending the preceding night by the bedside of the sick. The rapid growth of San Antonio made imperative the erection of a new three-story building with operating rooms, general wards and addi- tional rooms for private patients. In January, 1887, The Dail-y Express commented on the attractiveness of the new building and accommodations. The private rooms with their immaculate white beds and curtains. cheery bright carpets and pictures are almost seductive enough to make one play invalid . . . to enjoy them and the tender nursing of tht'
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