BOARD OF ASSISTANTS.

July 18, 1831.
 

The Report of the Committee on Charity and the
Almshouse, in relation to the Medical Depart¬
ment of the Almshouse, having been read, was
laid on the table and ordered to be printed.

B. CRANE, Ci.ERK.
 

The Committee upon the Almshouse and Charity, beg leave
to ofier the following Report upon the present state of the Medical
Department of the Almshouse, and to suggest a plan for its im¬
provement.

The number of patients in the institution of all classes, varies
from 500 to 550, and from the last return they consisted of 150
medical, 129 surgical, 108 insane, 122 opthalmic, and 10 other
diseases. The number of obstetrical cases last year was 54. There
is a Resident Physician who receives a salary of $1500 per annum,
besides his board. He is assisted by four young men, who are re¬
quired by law to have pursued the study of medicine two years.

It will be acknowledged that a charge so extensive, must require
great activity and corresponding knowledge to fulfil its duties.
The phases of these varied diseases demand an intellectual com¬
bination of extraordinary dexterity and power, to apply its force to
their management with safety to the patient and reputation to the
institution. In all Hospitals of Europe and America, the care of
so great number is unprecedented, and a division of diseases is
deemed necessary to fulfil the objects contemplated by the project¬
ors of such charities. The number of patients in the New-York
Hospital rarely exceed two hundred at one time in the house.
There are four Consulting Physicians and Surgeons, eight Attend¬
ing Physicians and Surgeons, a Resident Physician and Surgeon,