the regular attendance, the members of the board were frequently present at the hospital. The result of their observations enables them to refer in commendation to the good management of the institution during the past year. At the instance of the surgeon in charge the staff held thirty-seven meetings at the hospital for the purpose of consultation in grave cases, and to render assistance when operations were required. It is a source of great gratification to this board to be able to present a most satisfactory report of the sanitary condition of the hospital throughout the year, a remarkable absence of fatality, and the excellent results in those cases operated on. In order to carry out the requirements of the law in reference to the out-door department, the following resolution was adopted February 8, 1878: Resolved, That, after the term of inspection service of the hospital expires, the members of the advisory board on duty shall assume charge of the out-door department in connection with the surgeon in charge, and in case any member shall decline to serve in the out-door department, such vacancy shall be filled by election at a meeting of the board after due notification. In accordance with this resolution the duties of the department referred to were performed by different members of the staff, together with Dr. Murphy, by a tri-weekly attendance. The board thinks it unnecessary to specify the work accomplished, as doubtless it will be fully laid before you in the report of the surgeon in charge. In addition to the professional duties devolving upon the staff, your honorable body saw fit to impose an additional responsibility-that of investigating certain charges reflecting upon the professional and private character of the surgeon in charge, and also of mismanagement of the affairs of the institution. The intimate and friendly relations which we held with Dr. Murphy rendered this a very delicate and trying position, and one which we would have gladly renounced; but conceiving that our first duty was due to the hospital, we entered upon the work, and endeavored to make a thorough and impartial investigation. While the year has passed without any pressing need for the detached buildings recommended by a previous board, yet we feel that at any moment an exigency may arise whereby many lives may be jeopardized, unless means should be provided for the removal of cases of puerperal infectious diseases out of the main buildings; we therefore feel called upon to bring the subject again to your consideration, and express the hope that Congress at the next session may make an appropriation for the erection of said buildings. Very respectfully, To the Board of Directors of the Columbia Hospital for Women and Lying-in Asylum: GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to submit the yearly account of the disbursements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. The vouchers for the three first quarters have been audited by the Treasury Department and approved. For the last quarter the vouchers have been submitted, but are not as yet approved. The fund derived from pay patients shows a balance on hand at date of $3,527.06. JOHN T. MITCHELL, SEPTEMBER 30, 1878. Treasurer. Amount of appropriations for the support of Columbia Hospital for the year ending June 30, 1878 $18,000.00 Amount of special appropriations 2,000 00 Estimate of appropriations required for the service of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880, by the Columbia Hospital for Women and Lying-in Asylum. 12 40 2,000 00 1,070 10 790 00 1,970 10 29 90 COLUMBIA HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN AND LYING-IN ASYLUM, To the Board of Directors of the Columbia Hospital for Women and Lying-in Asylum : GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to report that all drugs and medicines received during the past fiscal year ending June 30, 1878, excepting such stock as is at present on hand, have been used for the benefit of the hospital and dispensary. All books, surgical instruments, appliances, &c., received during the year and those already on hand, excepting such as have been worn out or otherwise rendered unfit for use, are in good condition. The records submitted for inspection contain a correct inventory of all the hospital property under my immediate charge. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, P. J. MURPHY, P. J. MURPHY, M. D., Surgeon in charge Columbia Hospital: SIR: In compliance with the by-laws of the institution, I beg leave to submit my annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. All articles of furniture, kitchen and dining-room ware, cooking utensils, &c., on hand June 30, 1877, and such as have been received during the past year, unless worn out or rendered unfit for use, are in good condition, a full inventory of which is kept in the accompanying record. All the mattresses and pillows have been thoroughly cleansed and remade, without additional expense, and are in good order. The supply of table and bed linen, spreads, blankets, &c., has been replenished from time to time as necessity demanded, and such of these articles as no longer served the purpose for which they were intended, have been converted to other use. The number of pay patients admitted during the year has been more than double that of any previous year, and the amount received from such source and paid over to the treasurer is $2,121. I have to thank most cordially several beneficent ladies for their kindness in sending articles of clothing, old linen, books, magazines, &c., for the use and amusement of the patients, and am especially indebted to the White House for the many contributions of flowers for the wards of the hospital during the summer months. Very respectfully, A. L. S. THOMBS, Matron. COLUMBIA HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN AND LYING-IN ASYLUM, To the Board of Directors Columbia Hospital: The undersigned, members of the committee on personal property, have inspected and examined the personal effects of the hospital, compared the inventories of the matron and surgeon in charge, and find a proper correspondence with the same. F. A. ASHFORD. W. W. GODDING, M. D., Superintendent, and ex-officio Secretary of the Board of Visitors. A. H. WITMER, M. D., Second Assistant Physician. MAURICE J. STACK, M. D., Third Assistant Physician. |