Chariiahle Institutions. 93 



managed. It appears, however, rather singular that the sur- 

 gical are separated from the medical cases, whilst no separation 

 exists amongst the patients who may happen to be labouring 

 under contagious diseases. The most frequently recurring 

 diseases are cutaneous, a circumstance which need excite no 

 surprise in a country where the natives pay so little attention 

 to the cleanliness of their bodies, and where Government itself 

 favours as it were this carelessness by levying a considerable 

 tax upon the importation of soap ! Dysentery prevails 

 throughout the year ; intermittent fever and inflammatory 

 diseases occur more rarely ; but apoplectic cases are at times 

 very numerous. The nominal amount of the funds of the 

 hospital is estimated at £40,000 ; the annual income being 

 about £1800 sterling. 



The hospital for lepers is fitted up for the reception of about 

 forty patients, most of whom come from places in which the 

 black has least mixed with the white race. 

 . The workhouse, for 230 paupers, was founded in 1847 by 

 public subscription, and has an annual income of from 3000 to 

 4000 piastres. 



The nunnery of St. Isabel, for the reception of female 

 orphans, was erected as early as I726. Great care is taken 

 of the education of the inmates, who are not permitted to 

 leave the establishment, except in case of getting married or 

 respectably employed. 



Foundlings, of whom, in one single year, 839 were main- 

 tained by the commune of Funchal, are given out to nurse ; 



