HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION. 5 



genial, ttat we should consider well if it is not possible, on the 

 one hand, to afford full relief to the truly necessitous, and, on the 

 other, to avoid offering temptation to any to forfeit their inde- 

 pendence. Blind charity — that which is shown by the pecuniary 

 gift, rather than the hearty desire to co-operate with the distressed 

 and assist them to retain their self-respect — discourages thrift and 

 helpfulness, and generates the spirit of dependence, which is the 

 chief source of pauperism. 



With these preliminary remarks, I will proceed to the imme- 

 diate subject of this paper, and in doing so will confine myself as 

 much as possible to general hospital accommodation, assuming that 

 hospitals for special diseases are as a rule undesirable, as equally 

 injurious to the cause of charity and the science of medicine. 



In approaching our subject, it is necessary to bear in mind the 

 difference between the position of London and Sydney in relation to 

 medical charity ; otherwise, in our endeavour to gain information 

 from the experience of our Parent Country, we may be led astray. 



The differences are these : In Sydney we have no organized 

 Poor Law relief; in Sydney wages are much higher ; in Sydney 

 the various Benefit Clubs have assumed a more healthy tone and 

 form, and are far more numerous. 



In the full (and in many respects excellent) Eeport of the 

 Charity Commission, there is an earnestly expressed opinion 

 that the main front and outbuildings of the Sydney Infirmary 

 should be taken down — a recommendation, it is but fair to add, 

 which was made by a Committee of the Directors of that institu- 

 tion, and adopted by them, as long back as March, 1868. 



The Directors of the Prince Alfred Hospital, after much anxious 

 deliberation, entered upon with a firm desire to utilize the fund 

 in strict accordance with the intentions of the subscribers, as 

 expressed in the original resolutions, have determined to plan a 

 large and complete Hospital and Medical School, and to erect a 

 portion of it at once. This scheme has been sanctioned by the 

 Grovernment, which has devoted by Act of Parliament eleven 

 acres of the University ground to the purposes of the future 

 hospital. The plans of two ward pavilions, each of which will 

 contain sixty -three beds, are nearly complete ; and it is in con- 

 templation to commence them as soon as possible. 



Taking it for granted, therefore, that the Infirmary buildings 

 must be presently removed, it is evident we are about to re-orga- 

 nize and construct anew the hospital accommodation of Sydney, 

 except that provided by St. Yincent's Hospital. 



What shall be the form, position, and extent of the accommo- 

 dation, and how shall it be organized, how supported ? These are 

 the questions which demand inquiry and the prompt decision of 

 Government, in order that each may work in harmony with the 

 rest; to one centre of good. 



