Boston illustrated; . ofthe original structure was hammered and fitted by the convicts at the StatePrison. Tlie system on which this noble institution is managed is admirable, inthat it is so designed as to combine the principles of gratuitous treatment andthe payment of their expenses by those who are able to do so. The Hospitalturns away none who come Nvithin the scope of its operations, while it has roomto receive them, however poor they may be. It has been greatly aided in thiswork by generous contributions and bequests. The fund permanently investedto furnish free beds amounts to over $ 6
Boston illustrated; . ofthe original structure was hammered and fitted by the convicts at the StatePrison. Tlie system on which this noble institution is managed is admirable, inthat it is so designed as to combine the principles of gratuitous treatment andthe payment of their expenses by those who are able to do so. The Hospitalturns away none who come Nvithin the scope of its operations, while it has roomto receive them, however poor they may be. It has been greatly aided in thiswork by generous contributions and bequests. The fund permanently investedto furnish free beds amounts to over $ 600,000; and the annual contributionsfor free beds support about 100 at $ 100 each. To all who are able to pay fortheir board and for medical treatment the charges are in all cases moderate,never exceeding the actual expense. The general fund of the Hospital is about$1,100,000, and the total of restricted funds attains the same amount. Theannual income is a quarter of a million dollars, which is usually slightly in ex-. The Massachusetts General Hospital. B OS TON ILL US TRA TED. 17 cess of the expenses. These figures are for the Hospital proper and for theMcLean Asyhim for the Insane at Somerville, which is a branch of the institu-tion. From 1,800 to 2,000 patients are treated yearly, of whom more thanthree-fourths pay nothing-. Besides these who are admitted to the Hospital,there are annually from 16,000 to 20,000 out-patients, who receive advice andmedicine, or surgical or dental treatment. It will show more clearly how greatgood is done precisely where it is nuost needed, if we say that three-fourths ofthe male patients are classed as mechanics, laborers, teamsters, seamen, andservants; and more than half the female patients are seamstresses, operatives,and domestics. Nearly one-half of the patients are foreigners, the natives ofIreland far exceeding those of Massachusetts. In the section of the city which we have included in the North End districtfour of the eight railroads
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