THE HOSPITAL.—FEMALE PATIENTS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 418, 2 December 1868, Page 2

THE HOSPITAL.—FEMALE PATIENTS.

(7b the Editor of'the Westport Times and Charleston Argus.) Sir.—Permit mo to make a remark or two upon the case which forms the subject of your leading article of this morning.

On Thursday last, being at Giles Terrace I was called in to see this patient, who was suffering from a severe burn. I prescribed for her, and gave directions that, if certain symptoms continued, a message should be sent to Dr. Tliorpe. I have no hesitation in saying that it was imprudent to bring the patient in to Westport ; that it was attended with risk ; and that it ought not to have been done, without first informing the doctor of the circumstances. Whether or not the patient was kept waiting a quarter of an hour I do not know. I can only say, that I am surprised it was not much longer, since the Hospital has no accommodation for female patients, and there could have been no reason to suppose that the case could be admitted at all. The statement that the delay was caused by the~ necessity of getting an order from the Magistrate is, of course, a mistake, since such an order is not required in any case. As soon as the application was made to the Visiting Committee it was resolved after a little consultation to " strain a point " to admit the case by turning the Hospital attendant out of his room. I believe the patient was actually admitted before her husband arrived with the order he had obtained.

Should another female case present itself to-morrow, I do not see how

it could possibly be admitted, however urgent. I have been induced to write thus much by the belief that your remarks in the article referred to are likely to do considerable and undeserved mischief to the Hospital. I had some intention of saying a few words upon the singular view which some persons appear to have taken of the functions of the Hospital by supposing that every subscriber of a guinea is entitled to admission at pleasure, but I abstain for the present. —lam, Sir, Yours obediently, Joseph Giles. Dec. 1.