KIDD’S OWN JOURNAL. 
259 

A LEAF FROM MY DIARY. 
THE HOSPITALS OF LONDON. 
FULL MANY AN EARNEST and inquiring 
gaze is turned by the stranger in’ London 
on these noble institutions, whilst passing 
and re-passing them day after day. Could 
this gaze but penetrate those substantial 
walls, and reveal the mournful, soul-stirring, 
and alas! too often heart-sickening sights 
that are concealed within,—how would the 
most stoical shrmk back! A thought would 
readily suggest itself,—‘‘ Why should I be 
exempted from the fearful category of 
agonies, endured by fellow creatures less 
able to pass the fierce ordeal than myself?” 
Such was my soliloquy whilst entering 
one of our large metropolitan hospitals ; and 
now, let my reader accompany me whilst 
mentally I retrace my steps, and again in 
thought enter “those substantial walls.” 
See, what a noble building lies before us! 
But for its name one might fancy oneself in 
one of our aristocratic mansions. 
Passing through the corridor we are, by 
the courtesy ofa medical gentleman, admitted 
to the receiving-room. Its interior and 
occupants have riveted our attention. We 
seem to start at our own footsteps, as they 
tread the echoless floor; and we feel relieved 
by being able to sit down, in order that our 
intrusion may not be so apparent. 
On our right lies an infant child, out- 
stretched upon the cushioned form; its 
breath drawn deeply with that peculiar sound 
accompanying intense pain; its eyes closed. 
A by-stander removing, we get a better view 
of tliat child’s face; now we fear one eye is 
closed for ever. In a low tone, we inquire 
the cause of the fearful laceration. We 
find it was produced by the kick of a 
horse. 
On our left, stands a man who is anxiously 
awaiting his turn to ascertain whether a 
serious blow has caused the fracture of a 
bone. At the extreme end of the room, 
are three or four stout Herculean-looking 
men surrounding a poor workman, whose 
hand has just been crushed in a crane. 
Observe his expressive features, whilst be- 
holding the mutilated limb which he has 
just uncovered! No hope has he of ever 
again being able to use it, either for his own 
benefit or for the benefit of those depending 
_upon his labor for their daily bread. How 
agonising is his look, whilst lifting the fingers 
all but severed, and letting them again hang 
down—accompanied by that relaxation of the 
features so indicative of despair ! 
A movement in the next room has now 
broken the spell that had fixed upon all 
beholders. The hurrying to and fro of the 
nurse, with the appearance of some of the 
medical staff, tell us of the conclusion of 
‘| we descend to the ground floor. 
some surgical operation, and we behold the 
subject of it carried through on a litter. 
Our friend now returns, with an apology 
for having kept us waiting so long; and he 
kindly offers himself as our Cicerone through 
the building. Gladly, most gladly do we quit 
this scene, fraught with so much fearful 
excitement, and change it for the less 
painful one of a stroll through the 
wards. What an air of perfect cleanli- 
ness prevails therein ! and what order ! Surely 
all that poor human nature requires for its 
physical comfort, is here provided; and as 
our eye wanders from ward to ward, from 
bed to bed, we cannot but bestow a heart- 
felt blessing upon the philanthropic indivi- 
duals who are the supporters of such an 
institution ! 
Let us particularly notice the beds pro- 
vided for persons afflicted with spinal com- 
plaints. The most wealthy in the land 
could have nothing better adapted for easing 
their sufferings ; and as for nurses, the atten- 
dants here far surpass in tenderness and true 
feeling, four-fifths of the pampered, and 
over-fed nurses who live ‘‘in great houses.”’ 
There are restorative agents too of the most 
expensive character,—and these without 
limit, and medical advisers out of number. 
Then how cheering to the eye, how grateful 
to the ear, to note the convalescents holding 
converse with their friends or relations,— 
rejoicing in the hope of soon being able to 
depart! How full of gratitude for the past, 
how full of hope for the future ! 
Our guide ever and anon courteously 
directs attention to some interesting case of 
surgery ; but these I shall not dwell on, as 
it is not my wish to harrow up the feelings. 
Having now traversed the extent of the 
building which is open to public inspection, 
And who 
is this before us? It is a poor sufferer, who 
has just left the receiving-room,—after 
having (without a murmur) submitted to the 
amputation of three fingers! Look at his 
remaining thumb and little finger! Poor 
fellow ! we shall indeed think of you, whilst 
in the full enjoyment of a perfect hand. 
May our gratitude for the preservation of 
such a gift, be in proportion to its great 
Wale Ly oo es aaa 
Our observation is now directed to an 
escrutoire, in which are being replaced the 
various instruments that have just been used. 
“ How multifold are they inuame, configura- 
tion, and purpose!” “Yes,” said our 
Cicerone, with an air of professional pride, 
“if it required the wealth of a Croesus to 
purchase an instrument which could effec- 
tively add to the number, we would obtain 
it.” He said this with an energy that 
delighted us. 
He then told us that the wants of the 

