Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham Part 14

This was probably nearly the last letter Johnson wrote, for on the 13th of the following month, just twenty-seven days after his arrival in London from Birmingham, oppressed with disease, he was numbered with the dead.

~Hinkleys.~--Otherwise, and for very many years, known as "The Inkleys,"

the generally-accepted derivation of the name being taken from the fact that one Hinks at one time was a tenant or occupier, under the Smalbroke family, of the fields or "leys" in that locality, the two first narrow roads across the said farm being respectively named the Upper and the Nether Inkleys, afterwards changed to the Old and New Inkleys. Possibly, however, the source may be found in the family name of Hinckley, as seen in the register of Harborne. A third writer suggests that the character of its denizens being about as black as could be painted, the place was naturally called Ink Leys. Be that as it may, from the earliest days of their existence, these places seem to have been the abode and habitation of the queerest of the queer people, the most aristocratic resident in our local records having been "Beau Green," the dandy--[see "_Eccentrics_"]--who, for some years, occupied the chief building in the Inkleys, nicknamed "Rag Castle," otherwise Hinkley Hall. The beautiful and salubrious neighbourhood, known as "Green's Village," an offshoot of the Inkleys, was called so in honour of the "Beau."

~Hiring a Husband.~--In 1815, a Birmingham carpenter, after ill-treating his wife, leased himself to another woman by a doc.u.ment which an unscrupulous attorney had the hardihood to draw up, and for which he charged thirty-five shillings. This precious doc.u.ment bound the man and the woman to live together permanently, and to support and succour each other to the utmost of their power. The poor wife was, of course, no consenting party to this. She appealed to the law; the appeal brought the "lease" before the eyes of the judiciary; the man was brought to his senses (though probably remaining a bad husband), and the attorney received a severe rebuke.

~Historical.~--A local Historical Society was inaugurated with an address from Dr. Freeman, Nov. 18, 1880, and, doubtless, in a few years the reports and proceedings will be of very great value and interest.

The fact that down to 1752 the historical year in England commenced on January 1, while the civil, ecclesiastical, and legal year began on the 25th of March, led to much confusion in dates, as the legislature, the church, and civilians referred every event which took place between January 1 and March 25 to a different year from the historians.

Remarkable examples of such confusion are afforded by two well-known events in English history: Charles I. is said by most authorities to have been beheaded January 30, 1648, while others, with equal correctness, say it was January 30, 1649; and so the revolution which drove James II. from the throne is said by some to have taken place in February, 1688, and by others in February, 1689. Now, these discrepancies arise from some using the civil and legal, and others the historical year, though both would have a.s.signed any event occurring _after_ the 25th of March to the same years--viz., 1649 and 1689. To avoid as far as possible mistakes from these two modes of reckoning, it was usual, as often seen in old books or ma.n.u.scripts, to add the historical to the legal date, when speaking of any day between January 1 and March 25, thus:

8(_i.e._ 1648, the civil and legal year.

Jan.30. 164- ( 9(_i.e._ 1649 the historical year.

or thus, January 30, 1648-9.

This practice, common as it was for many years, is, nevertheless, often misunderstood, and even intelligent persons are sometimes perplexed by dates so written. The explanation, however, is very simple, for the lower or last figure always indicates the year according to our present calculation.

~Hockley Abbey.~--Near to, and overlooking Boulton's Pool, in the year 1799 there was a piece of waste land, which being let to Mr. Richard Ford, one of the mechanical worthies of that period, was so dealt with as to make the spot an attraction for every visitor. Mr. Ford employed a number of hands, and some of them he observed were in the habit of spending a great part of their wages and time in dissipation. By way of example to his workmen he laid aside some 12/-to 15/-a week for a considerable period, and when trade was occasionally slack with him, and he had no other occupation for them, he sent his horse and cart to Aston Furnaces for loads of "slag," gathering in this way by degrees a sufficient quant.i.ty of this strange building material for the erection of a convenient and comfortable residence. The walls being necessarily constructed thicker than is usual when mere stone or brick is used, the fancy took him to make the place represent a ruined building, which he christened "Hockley Abbey," and to carry out his deceptive notion the date 1473 was placed in front of the house, small pebbles set in cement being used to form the figures. In a very few years by careful training nearly the whole of the building was overgrown with ivy, and few but those in the secret could have guessed at the history of this ruined "abbey." For the house and some fifteen acres of land 100 rent was paid by Mr. Hubert Gallon, in 1816 and following years, exclusive of taxes, and by way of comfort to the heavily-burdened householders of to-day, we may just add that, in addition to all those other duties loyal citizens were then called upon to provide for the exigencies of the Government, the parochial taxes on those premises from Michaelmas, 1816, to Michaelmas, 1817, included two church rates at 30s. each, three highway rates at 30s. each, and _thirty-six_ levies for the poor at 30s. each--a total of 61 10s. in the twelve months.

~Hollow Tooth Yard.~--At one time commonly called the "Devil's Hollow Tooth Yard." This was the name given to the Court up the gateway in Bull Street, nearest to Monmouth Street.

~Holt Street,~ Heneage Street, Lister Street, &c., are named after the Holte family.

~Home Hitting.~--The Rev. John Home, a Scotch divine, who visited Birmingham in 1802, said, "it seemed here as if G.o.d had created man only for making b.u.t.tons."

~Horse Fair.~--Formerly known as Brick-kiln Lane, received its present name from the fairs first held there in 1777.

~Horses.~--To find out the number of these useful animals at present in Birmingham, is an impossible task; but, in 1873, the last year before its repeal, the amount paid for "horse duty" in the Borough was 3,294 7s. 6d., being at the rate of 10s. 6d. on 6,275 animals.

~Hospital Sat.u.r.day.~--The fact of the contributions on Hospital Sundays coming almost solely from the middle and more wealthy cla.s.ses, led to the suggestion that if the workers of the town could be organised they would not be found wanting any more than their "betters." The idea was quickly taken up, committees formed, and cheered by the munificent offer of 500 from Mr. P.H. Muntz towards the expenses, the first collection was made on March 15th 1873, the result being a gross receipt of 4,705 11s. 3d. Of this amount 490 8s. 10d. was collected from their customers by the licensed victuallers and beerhouse keepers; the gross totals of each year to the present time being--

1873 . . 4,705 11 3 1874 . . 4,123 15 2 1875 . . 3,803 11 8 1876 . . 3,664 13 8 1877 . . 3,200 17 0 1878 . . 3,134 5 0 1879 . . 3,421 10 2 1880 . . 3,760 9 0 1881 . . 3,968 18 7 1882 . . 4,888 18 9 1883 . . 5,489 9 0 1884 . . 6,062 16 6

After deducting for expenses, the yearly amounts are divided, _pro rata_, according to their expenditures among the several hospitals and similar charities, the proportions in 1883 being:--General Hospital.

1,843 4s. 1d.; Queen's Hospital, 931 8s. 3d.; General Dispensary, 561 1s. 7d.; Children's Hospital, 498 0s. 4d.; Eye Hospital, 345 0s. 4d.; Birmingham and Midland Counties' Sanatorium, 211 0s. 4d., Women's Hospital, 193 1s. 9d.; h.o.m.oepathic Hospital, 195 5s. 3d.; Orthopaedic Hospital, 138 13s. 6d.; Lying-in Charity, 67 6s. 5d.; Skin and Lock Hospital, 44 14s. 8d.; Ear and Throat Infirmary, 26 12s. 8d.; Dental Hospital, 9 5s. 3d.; and Birmingham Nursing District Society, 34 17s.

7d. The total sum thus distributed in the twelve years is 48,574 18s.

9d.

~Hospital Sunday.~--There is nothing new under the sun! Birmingham has the honour of being credited as the birth-place of "Hospital Sundays,"

but old newspapers tell us that as far back as 1751, when Bath was in its pride and glory, one Sunday in each year was set aside in that city for the collection, at every place of worship, of funds for Bath Hospital; and a correspondent writing to _Aris's Gazette_ recommended the adoption of a similar plan in this town. The first suggestion for the present local yearly Sunday collection for the hospitals appeared in an article, written by Mr. Thos. Barber Wright, in the _Midland Counties Herald_ in October, 1859. A collection of this kind took place on Sunday, the 27th, of that month, and the first public meeting, when arrangements were made for its annual continuance, was held in the Town Hall, December 14th same year, under the presidency of Dr. Miller, who, therefrom, has been generally accredited with being the originator of the plan. The proceeds of the first year's collection were given to the General Hospital, the second year to the Queen's, and the third year divided among the other charitable inst.i.tutions in the town of a like character, and this order of rotation has been adhered to since.

The following is a list of the gross amounts collected since the establishment of the movement:--

1859 General Hospital..........5,200 8 10 1860 Queen's Hospital.......... 3,433 6 1 1861 Amalgamated Charities..... 2,953 14 0 1862 General Hospital.......... 8,340 4 7 1863 Queen's Hospital.......... 3,293 5 0 1864 Amalgamated Charities..... 3,178 5 0 1865 General Hospital.......... 4,256 11 11 1866 Queen's Hospital.......... 4,133 2 10 1867 Amalgamated Charities..... 3,654 9 7 1868 General Hospital.......... 4,253 9 11 1869 Queen's Hospital.......... 4,469 1 8 1870 Amalgamated Charities..... 4,111 6 7 1871 General Hospital.......... 4,886 9 2 1872 Queen's Hospital.......... 5,192 2 3 1873 Amalgamated Charities..... 5,370 8 3 1874 General Hospital.......... 5,474 17 11 1875 Queen's Hospital.......... 5,800 8 8 1876 Amalgamated Charities..... 5,265 10 10 1877 General Hospital.......... 5,280 15 3 1878 Queen's Hospital.......... 6,482 12 10 1879 Amalgamated Charities..... 5,182 3 10 1880 General Hospital.......... 4,886 1 8 1881 Queen's Hospital.......... 4,585 1 3 1882 Amalgamated Charities..... 4,800 12 6 1883 General Hospital.......... 5,145 0 5 1884 Queen's Hospital..........

~Hospitals.~--_The General Hospital_ may be said to have been commenced in the year 1766, when the first steps were taken towards the erection of such an inst.i.tution, but it was not formally opened for the reception of patients until 1779. The original outlay on the building was 7,140, but it has received many additions since then, having been enlarged in 1792, 1830, 1842, 1857 (in which year a new wing was erected, nominally out of the proceeds of a fete at Aston, which brought in 2,527 6s.

2d.), 1865, and during the last few years especially. The last additions to the edifice consist of a separate "home" for the staff of nurses, utilising their former rooms for the admittance of more patients; also two large wards, for cases of personal injury from fire, as well as a mortuary, with dissecting and jury rooms, &c., the total cost of these improvements being nearly 20,000. For a long period, this inst.i.tution has ranked as one of the first and n.o.blest charities in the provinces, its doors being opened for the reception of cases from all parts of the surrounding counties, as well as our own more immediate district. The long list of names of surgeons and physicians, who have bestowed the benefits of their learning and skill upon the unfortunate sufferers, brought within its walls, includes many of the highest eminence in the profession, locally and otherwise, foremost among whom must be placed that of Dr. Ash, the first physician to the inst.i.tution, and to whom much of the honour of its establishment belongs. The connection of the General Hospital with the Triennial Musical Festivals, which, for a hundred years, have been held for its benefit, has, doubtless, gone far towards the support of the Charity, very nearly 112,000 having been received from that source altogether, and the periodical collections on Hospital Sundays and Sat.u.r.days, have still further aided thereto, but it is to the contributions of the public at large that the governors of the inst.i.tution are princ.i.p.ally indebted for their ways and means. For the first twenty-five years, the number of in-patients were largely in excess of the out-door patients, there being, during that period, 16,588 of the former under treatment, to 13,009 of the latter. Down to 1861, rather more than half-a-million cases of accident, illness, &c., had been attended to, and to show the yearly increasing demand made upon the funds of the Hospital, it is only necessary to give a few later dates.

In 1860 the in-patients numbered 2,850, the out-patients 20,584, and the expenditure was 4,191. In 1876, the total number of patients were 24,082, and the expenditure 12,207. The next three years showed an average of 28,007 patients, and a yearly expenditure of 13,900. During the last four years, the benefits of the Charity have been bestowed upon an even more rapidly-increasing scale, the number of cases in 1880 having been 30,785, in 1881 36,803, in 1882 44,623, and in 1883 41,551, the annual outlay now required being considerably over 20,000 per year.

When the centenary of the Hospital was celebrated in 1879, a suggestion was made that an event so interesting in the history of the charity would be most fittingly commemorated by the establishment or a Suburban Hospital, where patients whose diseases are of a chronic character could be treated with advantage to themselves, and with relief to the parent inst.i.tution, which is always so pressed for room that many patients have to be sent out earlier than the medical officers like. The proposal was warmly taken up, but no feasible way of carrying it out occurred until October, 1883, when the committee of the Hospital had the pleasure of receiving a letter (dated Sept. 20), from Mr. John Jaffray, in which he stated that, having long felt the importance of having a Suburban Hospital, and with a desire to do some amount of good for the community in which, for many years, he had received so much kindness, and to which, in great measure, he owed his prosperity, he had secured a freehold site on which he proposed to erect a building, capable of accommodating fifty male and female patients, with the requisite offices for the attendants and servants, and offered the same as a free gift to the Governors, in trust for the public. This most welcome and munificent offer, it need hardly be said, was gratefully accepted, and a general appeal was made for funds to properly endow the "Jaffray Suburban Hospital," so that its maintenance and administration shall not detract from the extending usefulness of the parent inst.i.tution. The site chosen by Mr. Jaffray is at Gravelly Hill, and it is estimated the new branch hospital, of which the first stone was laid June 4, 1884, will cost at least 15,000 in erection. Towards the endowment fund there have been nine or ten donations of 1,000 each promised, and it is hoped a fully sufficient amount will be raised before the building is completed, for, in the words of Mr. Jaffray, we "have great faith in the liberality of the public towards an inst.i.tution--the oldest and n.o.blest and ablest of our medical charities--which for more than a century has done so much for the relief of human suffering: and cannot help believing that there are in Birmingham many persons who, having benefited by the prosperity of the town, feel that they owe a duty to the community, and will gladly embrace this opportunity of discharging at least some part of their obligation." Patients are said to be admitted to the General Hospital by tickets from subscribers; but, in addition to accidents and cases of sudden illness, to which the doors are open at all hours, a large number of patients are admitted free on the recommendation of the medical officers, the proportion of the cases thus admitted being as six to ten with subscribers' tickets.

It is estimated that a capital sum of at least 60,000 will be required to produce a sufficiently large income to maintain the Jaffray Suburban Hospital, and donations have been, and are solicited for the raising of that sum. Up to the time of going to press with the "Dictionary," there has been contributed nearly 24,000 of the amount, of which the largest donations are:--

G.F. Muntz, Esq...............2,000 0 0 The Right Hon. Lord Calthorpe 1,000 0 0 Trustees of Dudley Trust...... 1,000 0 0 W.B. Cregoe Colmore, Esq...... 1,000 0 0 Ralph Heaton, Esq............. 1,000 0 0 James Hinks, Esq.............. 1,000 0 0 Lloyds' Old Bank.............. 1,000 0 0 W. Middlemore, Esq............ 1,000 0 0 Mrs. Elizabeth Phipson........ 1,000 0 0 Miss Ryland................... 1,000 0 0 Mrs. Simc.o.x .................. 1,000 0 0 Messrs. Tangyes (Limited)..... 1,000 0 0 Henry Wiggin, Esq., M.P....... 1,000 0 0 Mr. John Wilkes............... 1,000 0 0

About 5,000 more has been sent in hundreds and fifties, and doubtless many other large gifts will follow.

_The Queens Hospital_ was commenced in 1840, the first stone being laid by Earl Howe on the 18th of June. His Royal Highness the Prince Consort was chosen as first president, and remained so until his death, the office not being filled up again until 1875, when Lord Leigh was appointed. Many special efforts have been made to increase the funds of this hospital, and with great success; thus, on Dec. 28, 1848, Jenny Lind sang for it, the receipts amounting to 1,070. On July 27, 1857, a fete at Aston Park added 2,527 6s. 2d. (a like sum being given to the General Hospital). In 1859, Mr. Sands c.o.x (to whom is due the merit of originating the Queen's Hospital), commenced the arduous task of collecting a million postage stamps, equivalent to 4,166 13s. 4d., to clear the then liabilities, to erect a chapel, and for purposes of extension. Her Majesty the Queen forwarded (Feb. 15, 1859) a cheque for 100 toward this fund. On January 16, 1869, the workmen of the town decided to erect a new wing to the Hospital, and subscribed so freely that Lord Leigh laid the foundation stone Dec. 4, 1871, and the "Workmen's Extension" was opened for patients Nov. 7, 1873. In 1880 a bazaar at the Town Hall brought in 3,687 17s., increased by donations and new subscriptions to 5,969. The system of admission by subscribers'

tickets was done away with Nov. 1, 1875, a registration fee of 1s. being adopted instead. This fee, however, is not required in urgent cases or accident, nor when the patient is believed to be too poor to pay it. The ordinary income for the year 1882 was 5,580, as compared with 4,834 in the previous year, when the ordinary income was supplemented by the further sum of 4,356 from the Hospital Sunday collection, which falls to the Queen's Hospital once in three years. The chief items of ordinary income were, subscriptions 1881, 2,780; 1882, 2,788; donations, 1881, 397; 1882, 237; Hospital Sat.u.r.day, 1881, 711; 1882, 852; legacies, 1881, 208; 1882, 870; dividends, 1881, 178; 1882, 199; registration fees, 1881, 538; 1882, 597. The expenditure for the year was 7,264, as compared with 6,997 in 1881. The number of in-patients in 1882 was 1,669, as compared with 1,663 in 1881; the number of out-patients was 16,538, as compared with 14,490 in the preceding year. The cost of each in-patient was 3 2s. 3-1/4d. Of the in-patients, 811 were admitted by registration, the remainder being treated as accidents or urgent cases.

Of the out-patients, 8,359 were admitted by registration, the remainder, namely, 8,179, were admitted free.

_The Children's Hospital_, founded in 1861, was first opened for the reception of patients Jan. 1, 1862, in the old mansion in Steelhouse Lane, fronting the Upper Priory. At the commencement of 1870 the Hospital was removed to Broad Street, to the building formerly known as the Lying-in Hospital, an out-patient department, specially erected at a cost of about 3,250, being opened at the same time (January) in Steelhouse Lane, nearly opposite the mansion first used. The Broad Street inst.i.tution has accommodation for about fifty children in addition to a separate building containing thirty beds for the reception of fever cases, the erection of which cost 7,800; and there is a Convalescent Home at Alvechurch in connection with this Hospital to which children are sent direct from the wards of the Hospital (frequently after surgical operations) thus obtaining for them a more perfect convalescence than is possible when they are returned to their own homes, where in too many instances those important aids to recovery --pure air, cleanliness, and good food are sadly wanting. In addition to the share of the Sat.u.r.day and Sunday yearly collections, a special effort was made in 1880 to a.s.sist the Children's Hospital by a simultaneous collection in the Sunday Schools of the town and neighbourhood, and, like the others, this has become a periodical inst.i.tution. In 1880, the sum thus gathered from the juveniles for the benefit of their little suffering brethren, amounted to 307 9s. 11d.; in 1881, it was 193 10s. 5d.; in 1882, 218 5s. 2d.; in 1883, 234 3s.

1d. The number of patients during 1883 were: 743 in-patients 12,695 out-patients, 75 home patients, and 475 casualties--total 13,998. The expenditure of the year had been 4,399 0s. 3d., and the income but 4,087 14s. 2d.

_Dental_.--This Hospital, 9, Broad Street, was inst.i.tuted for gratuitous a.s.sistance to the poor in all cases of diseases of the teeth, including extracting, stopping, scaling, as well as the regulation of children's teeth. Any poor sufferer can have immediate attention without a recommendatory note, but applicants requiring special operations must be provided with a note of introduction from a governor. About 6,000 persons yearly take their achers to the establishment.

_Ear and Throat Infirmary_, founded in 1844, and formerly in Cherry Street, has been removed to Newhall Street, where persons suffering from diseases of the ear (deafness, &c.) and throat, are attended to daily at noon. During the year ending June, 1883, 6,517 patients had been under treatment, and 1,833 new cases had been admitted. Of the total, 1,389 had been cured, 348 relieved and 116 remained under treatment. The increase of admissions over those of the previous year was 181, and the average daily attendance of patients was 25. The number of patients coming from places outside Birmingham was 577. The income of this inst.i.tution is hardly up to the mark, considering its great usefulness, the amount received from yearly subscribers being only 129 13s. 6d., representing 711 tickets, there being received for 875 supplementary tickets, 153 2s. 6d., and 15 11s. from the Hospital Sat.u.r.day collections.

_The Eye Hospital_ was originated in 1823, and the first patients were received in April, 1824, at the hospital in Cannon Street. Some thirty years afterwards the inst.i.tution was removed to Steelhouse Lane, and in 1862 to Temple Row, Dee's Royal Hotel being taken and remodelled for the purpose at a cost of about 8,300. In 1881 the number of patients treated was 12,523; in 1882, 13,448 of whom 768 were in-patients, making a total of over a quarter of a million since the commencement of the charity. Admission by subscriber's ticket. Originally an hotel, the building is dilapidated and very unsuitable to the requirements of the hospital, the s.p.a.ce for attendants and patients being most inadequate.

This has been more and more evident for years past, and the erection of a new building became an absolute necessity. The governors, therefore, have taken a plot of land at the corner of Edmund Street and Church Street, upon a lease from the Colmore family for 99 years, and hereon is being built a commodious and handsome new hospital, from carefully arranged plans suitable to the peculiar necessities of an inst.i.tution of this nature. The estimated cost of the new building is put at 20,000, of which only about 8,000 has yet been subscribed (5,000 of it being from a single donor). In such a town as Birmingham, and indeed in such a district as surrounds us, an inst.i.tution like the Birmingham and Midland Eye Hospital is not only useful, but positively indispensable, and as there are no restrictions as to distance or place of abode in the matter of patients, the appeal made for the necessary building funds should meet with a quick and generous response, not only from a few large-hearted contributors, whose names are household words, but also from the many thousands who have knowledge directly or indirectly of the vast benefit this hospital has conferred upon those stricken by disease or accident--to that which is the most precious of all our senses. It is intended that the hospital should be a model to the whole kingdom of what such an inst.i.tution ought to be; the latest and best of modern appliances, both sanitary and surgical, will be introduced. There will be in and out departments, completely isolated one from the other, though with a door of communication. From sixty to seventy beds will be provided, special wards for a certain cla.s.s of cases, adequate waiting-rooms for out-patients, and the necessary rooms for the officers and medical attendants, all being on an ample scale.

_Fever Hospital_.--There was a Fever Hospital opened in March, 1828, but we have no note when it was closed, and possibly it may have been only a temporary inst.i.tution, such as become necessary now and then even in these days of sanitary science. For some years past fever patients requiring isolation have been treated in the Borough Hospital, but the Health Committee have lately purchased a plot of land in Lodge Road of about 4-1/2 acres, at a cost of 4,500, and have erected there on a wooden pavilion, divided into male and female wards, with all necessary bath rooms, nurses' rooms, &c., everything being done which can contribute to the comfort and care of the inmates, while the greatest attention has been paid to the ventilation and other necessary items tending to their recovery. This pavilion is only a portion of the scheme which the committee propose to carry out, it being intended to build four, if not five, other wards of brick. A temporary block of administrative buildings has been erected at some distance from the pavilion. There accommodation is provided for the matron, the resident medical superintendent, the nurses when off duty, and the ordinary kitchen, scullery, and other offices are attached. When the permanent offices have been erected this building will be devoted to special fever cases, or, should there be a demand, private cases will be taken in. The cost of the whole scheme is estimated at 20,000, including the sum given for the land. It is most devoutly to be wished that this hospital, which is entirely free, will be generally used by families in case of a member thereof be taken with any nature of infectious fever, the most certain remedy against an epidemic of the kind, as well as the most favourable chance for the patient being such an isolation as is here provided. The hospital was opened September 11, 1883, and in cases of scarlet fever and other disorders of an infectious character, an immediate application should be made to the health officer at the Council House.

_h.o.m.oeopathic_.--A dispensary for the distribution of h.o.m.oeopathic remedies was opened in this town in 1847, and though the new system met with the usual opposition, it has become fairly popular, and its pract.i.tioners have found friends sufficient to induce them to erect a very neat and convenient hospital, in Easy Row, at a cost of about 7,000, which was opened November 23rd, 1875, and may possibly soon be enlarged. A small payment, weekly, is looked for, if the patient can afford it, but a fair number are admitted free, and a much larger number visited, the average number of patients being nearly 5,000 per annum.

Information given on enquiry.

_Hospital for Women_.--This establishment in the Upper Priory was opened in October, 1871, for the treatment of diseases special to females. No note or ticket of recommendation is required, applicants being attended to daily at two o'clock, except on Sat.u.r.day and Sunday. If in a position to pay, a nominal sum of 2s. 6d. a month is expected as a contribution to the funds, which are not so flourishing as can be wished. The in-patients' department or home at Sparkhill has accommodation for 25 inmates, and it is always full, while some thousands are treated at the town establishment. The number of new cases in the out-patient department in 1883 was 2,648, showing an annual increase of nearly 250 a year. Of the 281 in-patients admitted last year, 205 had to undergo surgical operations of various kinds, 124 being serious cases; notwithstanding which the mortality showed a rate of only 5.6 per cent.

As a rule many weeks and months of care and attention are needed to restore the general health of those who may have, while in the hospital, successfully recovered from an operation, but there has not hitherto been the needful funds or any organisation for following up such cases after they have left Sparkhill. Such a work could be carried on by a District Nursing Society if there were funds to defray the extra expense, and at their last annual meeting the Managing Committee decided to appeal to their friends for a.s.sistance towards forming an endowment fund for the treatment of patients at home during their convalescence, and also for aiding nurses during times of sickness. An anonymous donation of 1,000 has been sent in, and two other donors have given 500 each, but the treasurer will be glad to receive additions thereto, and as early as possible, for sick women nor sick men can wait long. The total income for 1883 amounted to 1,305 16s. 4d., while the expenditure was 1,685 4s. 11d., leaving a deficit much to be regretted.

_Lying-in Hospital_.--Founded in 1842, and for many years was located in Broad Street, in the mansion since formed into the Children's Hospital.

In 1868 it was deemed advisable to close the establishment in favour of the present plan of supplying midwives and nurses at the poor patients'

homes. In 1880 the number of patients attended was 1,020; in 1881, 973; in 1882, 894; in 1883, 870. In each of the two latter years there had been two deaths in mothers (1 in 441 cases) about the usual average of charity. The number of children born alive during the last year was 839, of whom 419 were males, and 420 females. Four infants died; 37 were still-born. There were 6 cases of twins. The a.s.sistance of the honorary surgeons was called in 24 times, or once in 37 cases. The financial position of the charity is less satisfactory than could be wished, there being again a deficiency. The subscriptions were 273, against 269 in 1882 and 275 in 1881. There was a slight increase in the amount of donations, but an entire absence of legacies, which, considering the valuable a.s.sistance rendered by the charity to so many poor women, is greatly to be deplored. The medical board have the power to grant to any woman who pa.s.ses the examination, the subjects of which are defined, a certificate as a skilled midwife, competent to attend natural labours.

One midwife and four monthly nurses have already received certificates, and it is hoped that many more candidates will avail themselves of the opportunity thus readily afforded to them, and supply a want very generally felt among the poor of the town. Subscribers have the privilege of bestowing the tickets, and the offices are at 71, Newhall Street.

_Orthopaedic and Spinal Hospital_--Was founded in June, 1817; the present establishment in Newhall Street being entered upon in December, 1877.

All kinds of bodily deformity, hernia, club feet, spinal diseases, malformations, and distortions of limbs, &c., are treated daily (at two o'clock) free of charge, except where instruments or costly supports are needed, when the patient must be provided with subscribers' tickets in proportion to the cost thereof. In 1881 and 1882, 4,116 cases received attention, 2,064 being new cases, and 678 from outside Birmingham. The variety of diseases was very numerous, and instruments to the value of 420 were supplied to the patients.

_Skin and Lock Hospital_, Newhall Street, was founded in 1880, and opened Jan. 10, 1881. Admission on payment of registration fee, attendance being given at two o'clock on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in each week.

_Smallpox Hospital_.--A few years back, when there was a pretty general epidemic of smallpox, a temporary ward or addition was attached to the Workhouse, but many persons whose intelligence led them to know the value of isolation in such cases, could not "cotton" to the idea of going themselves or sending their friends there. The buildings in Weston Road, Winson Green, and now known as the Borough Hospital, have no connection whatever with the Workhouse, and were opened for the reception of persons suffering from smallpox and scarlet fever in Nov.

1874. The latter cases are now taken to the Hospital in Lodge Road, so that present accommodation can be found in the Borough Hospital for nearly 250 patients at a time should it ever be necessary to do so.

Persons knowing of any case of smallpox should at once give notice to the officers of health at Council House.