HOSPITALS. 



11 



were not received for four hours, which de- 

 lay actually caused their death, from want 

 of timely applications, which this foolish 

 procrastination rendered unavailing when 

 they were at last procured. There is a la- 

 mentable deficiency of medical drugs and 

 medical aid throughout the whole republic, 

 but I trust it will be speedily supplied through 

 the active exertions of Dr. Mayne, who has 

 presented a proposal, now under the consi- 

 deration of the government, for supplying 

 the state with sufficient persons and needful 

 medicines. At present there are but two 

 dispensaries, that of San Juan de Dios, and 

 a private one, both of which vend their medi- 

 cines at an exorbitant price, and sell articles 

 of an inferior quality. One great drawback 

 to the natives obtaining better advice and 

 assistance is their adherence to the old 

 Spanish custom of paying only four rials 

 (two shillings British) a visit, and unless they 

 can be induced to pay a higher fee, or the 



