the new chitpore hospital. proposed to establish a new hospital at or about The subject is one which affects the sanitary interests of a very dense suburban population, and we are Ix
is
Chitpore.
therefore glad to give it publicity ; this the more readily, because we are not only biassed in favor of the scheme, but deeply impressed with a sense of the urgency of the conditions which have called for its
adoption. Those who know
THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE.
160
Chitpore, Cossipore, and the northern part of Calcutta must be fully aware of the fact that it is very thickly populated. There reside not only many wealthy native gentlemen, keeping up large establishments, but many thousands of the very poorest classes, for whoso medical wants there at present exists only a Charitable Dispensary. All who are familiar with that portion of the city are agreed as to the advisability of having a new hospital there. The rich are ready to subscribe towards it, and tho poor are most certainly willing to avail themselves of the advantages it must offer to them when they are ill, or injured by accidents. Such an institution is the more required, inasmuch as no establishment of a similar nature, for the reception of indoor patients, exists in the vicinity. Indeed, we believe we aro quite within the limits of accuracy when we state that many a poor creature seized with cholera, and many a workman who had met with serious accident in some one of the adjoining manufactories, has died whilst being conveyed to a distant hospital. There can therefore be very little doubt of the extreme importance of having a new institution as proposed. The matter
A
has been
meeting
taken up
of
gentlemen,
the house
held at
with
every appearance of earnestness.
Native and
European, was lately Singh. The
of Baboo Ivali Prosunno
carefully considered and discussed ; resoluadopted, and a very fair start made in the way of subscriptions. Dr. Naylor well deserves the gratitude of the native community for the zeal he has displayed in their behalf. The liberality of Baboo Heera Lall Seal, in placing one of his private dwelling-houses, with extensive grounds around it, at the disposal of the Committee, to bo used as a temporary arrangement for a year, until the hospital itself shall be built, is worthy of the warmest commendation. We hope to hear that the subscription list is increasing daily. When a handsome sum has been collected, it is not improbable that the local Government may see fit to supplement it by a grant-in-aid, and monetary assistance is, wo believe, also likely to be furnished by the Suburban Municipality. Meanwhile it rests with the wealthy Natives and with charitably disposed persons generally, particularly those interested in Chitpore, to lend substantial aid to this benevolent undertaking. We believe Native gentlemen will now come forward in earnest. One of their number (Baboo Kissory Chand Mitter), at the late meeting already alluded to, made a most telling speech. His mode of delivery was far above the usual standard, and subject
was
tions were
it may interest some of our readers at a distance to know how an educated Native is able to handle such a subject, we
as
think it worth
Addressing
the
while here to
Chairman,
quote
a
few of his sentiments.
he said :?" We are
assembled
here,
Sir, for tho purpose of establishing an institution for affording medical relief to the sick poor of Chitpore and its vicinity, which constitutes perhaps the most important suburb of the metropolis. I feel thankful for living in a state of society in which such a design finds cordial support. I rejoice in this token of progress and benevolence. Man has always felt for bodily wants and physical sufferings of his fellow-man.
the
This
fellow-feeling
and
charity
are
inculcatcd in all
countries,
all creeds. Whatever the detractors among all nations, and by of our nation may say against us, charity is admittedly a prominent and distinguishing trait of the character of the
Hindus.
How
recklessly
and
unscrupulously
soever
the
[June 1,
school of Mordaunt
vilify
and
vituperate
Wells my
and the Scott
countrymen, they
to admit that the Hindus are not deficient in for the
wants and
sufferings
a
1866.
Moncrieffs maywill be
obliged
strong sympathy
of their fellow creatures.
To
minister to those wants and to relieve those cated by Hinduism as a performance of which heaven.
solemn
duty,
the
sufferings is inculrigid and systematic
is considered the surest passport to Of this fact the innumerable tanks and ghats, antit-
salashes, and sarais with which the'country is studded, afford a striking illustration. The distinguished father of my esteemed friend on my left, Baboo Heera Lall Seal, founded at Belighoria an. otitshalah or almshouse where hundreds and thousands are daily fed. The father of my friend here present, Coomar Kally Kissen Roy, contributed largely to the Calcutta Native Hospital, paid Rupees 20,000 to Mrs. Wilson's Female School, and founded several saraiss on the Cuttnck and Balasore roads. These arc not isolated examples ; they are simply suggested by the presence of the sons and representatives of the beneficent donors. They might bo multiplied to any extent. The picture drawn by my friend, Dr. Naylor, of the evils to which the sick poor of this district are subjected, byreason of the want of an institution like the hospital now proposed, are really heart-rending. It is quite time that our community should no longer be disgraced and deformed by the presence of a destitute, miserable, and disease-stricken horde. It is quite time that this unnatural and fearful contrast of conditions should cease. I am sure there is enough of enlightened liberality in this community to ensure success to the proposed undertaking. Poor there will always be till the end of the chapter, in spite of socialists and communists, but they need not exist as a degraded and forsaken class. They need not, and must not, be cut off from the great brotherhood of I now see before me the representatives of several
humanity.
community. I know you are deeply impressed importance of the work which has been laid before you j and I consider it superfluous to urge you to contribute, of your substance, to its furtherance ; I shall therefore conclude by simply recalling to your mind the use of prosperity. It is not to minister to self-indulgence or to fritter away thousands of rupees on nautches, and jattras and marriages and shiads, or to widen the space between the rich and the poor, but to bridge the gulf between the prosperous and less prosperous, to cement your bonds of unity with your fellow-beings, to open np new spheres of active usefulness, and to render you the delegates of sections of
our
with the
Divine benevolence." Such was the speech delivered, with the most perfect fluency, by one speaking in a foreign tongue. We consider it net onlycurious, but most satisfactory evidence of Native talent and Native modes of thought. We perfectly sympathize with the speaker when he alludes to the harsh judgment of certain Englishmen regarding his countrymen ; more particularly do such allusions fall appropriately now, when Mr. Scott Moncrieff has been engaging in a Pharisaical Jehad agaiust an entire nation. If the Asiatics around us are to be systematically vilified under the pretence of Missionary enthusiasm, if they are to be made to believe that they are base and degraded as L eegees, Botocudos, never expect them Bosjesmen, it is clear that we need to support public charities, or to be good citizens, in any sense of the term. Any one who calmly thinks of our position
and
June 1, in
India,
ANALYSIS OF WATER IN INDIA.
1866.] and of the
responsible
will allow that racial animosities even
in the name of
religion
;
duties incumbent
ought
not to be
on
us
here,
disseminated,
but that all the common sympa-
developed and indulgently fostered, so that the unworthy, of whatever caste or creed, may be judged in charity, and even men with darker skins than ourselves allowed to act conscientiously in their own way. thies of our common
nature should be
only about a dozen Native gentlemen present meeting for the establishment of the Chitpore Hospital, yet they subscribed upwards of Us. 5,000, and we have no doubt that many other influential men will give evidence of better dispositions than Mr. Moncrieff would give them credit for. By their works let them be judged. If some are mean, it may be that many are liberal. We now appeal to the Native gentlemen of Calcutta, as a body, to prove themselves ready to display those attributes of well-judged and pure charity that are incompatible with the meannesses of character with which their detractors would brand them. We fee] disposed to think that they will prove themselves not only true to their own consciences, but true to their fellow-creatures in poverty and distress, which is even more practically useful than striving to read the Institutes of Menu with Mr. MoncriefFs spectacles. There were
at the
Prom Rs. 20,000 to 30,000 are still and
required for the founding
permanent establishment of the Chitpore Hospital ; in the large enlightened population of Calcutta, it ought not to be very
difficult to collect this
sum.
161
is
Chitpore.
therefore glad to give it publicity ; this the more readily, because we are not only biassed in favor of the scheme, but deeply impressed with a sense of the urgency of the conditions which have called for its
adoption. Those who know
THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE.
160
Chitpore, Cossipore, and the northern part of Calcutta must be fully aware of the fact that it is very thickly populated. There reside not only many wealthy native gentlemen, keeping up large establishments, but many thousands of the very poorest classes, for whoso medical wants there at present exists only a Charitable Dispensary. All who are familiar with that portion of the city are agreed as to the advisability of having a new hospital there. The rich are ready to subscribe towards it, and tho poor are most certainly willing to avail themselves of the advantages it must offer to them when they are ill, or injured by accidents. Such an institution is the more required, inasmuch as no establishment of a similar nature, for the reception of indoor patients, exists in the vicinity. Indeed, we believe we aro quite within the limits of accuracy when we state that many a poor creature seized with cholera, and many a workman who had met with serious accident in some one of the adjoining manufactories, has died whilst being conveyed to a distant hospital. There can therefore be very little doubt of the extreme importance of having a new institution as proposed. The matter
A
has been
meeting
taken up
of
gentlemen,
the house
held at
with
every appearance of earnestness.
Native and
European, was lately Singh. The
of Baboo Ivali Prosunno
carefully considered and discussed ; resoluadopted, and a very fair start made in the way of subscriptions. Dr. Naylor well deserves the gratitude of the native community for the zeal he has displayed in their behalf. The liberality of Baboo Heera Lall Seal, in placing one of his private dwelling-houses, with extensive grounds around it, at the disposal of the Committee, to bo used as a temporary arrangement for a year, until the hospital itself shall be built, is worthy of the warmest commendation. We hope to hear that the subscription list is increasing daily. When a handsome sum has been collected, it is not improbable that the local Government may see fit to supplement it by a grant-in-aid, and monetary assistance is, wo believe, also likely to be furnished by the Suburban Municipality. Meanwhile it rests with the wealthy Natives and with charitably disposed persons generally, particularly those interested in Chitpore, to lend substantial aid to this benevolent undertaking. We believe Native gentlemen will now come forward in earnest. One of their number (Baboo Kissory Chand Mitter), at the late meeting already alluded to, made a most telling speech. His mode of delivery was far above the usual standard, and subject
was
tions were
it may interest some of our readers at a distance to know how an educated Native is able to handle such a subject, we
as
think it worth
Addressing
the
while here to
Chairman,
quote
a
few of his sentiments.
he said :?" We are
assembled
here,
Sir, for tho purpose of establishing an institution for affording medical relief to the sick poor of Chitpore and its vicinity, which constitutes perhaps the most important suburb of the metropolis. I feel thankful for living in a state of society in which such a design finds cordial support. I rejoice in this token of progress and benevolence. Man has always felt for bodily wants and physical sufferings of his fellow-man.
the
This
fellow-feeling
and
charity
are
inculcatcd in all
countries,
all creeds. Whatever the detractors among all nations, and by of our nation may say against us, charity is admittedly a prominent and distinguishing trait of the character of the
Hindus.
How
recklessly
and
unscrupulously
soever
the
[June 1,
school of Mordaunt
vilify
and
vituperate
Wells my
and the Scott
countrymen, they
to admit that the Hindus are not deficient in for the
wants and
sufferings
a
1866.
Moncrieffs maywill be
obliged
strong sympathy
of their fellow creatures.
To
minister to those wants and to relieve those cated by Hinduism as a performance of which heaven.
solemn
duty,
the
sufferings is inculrigid and systematic
is considered the surest passport to Of this fact the innumerable tanks and ghats, antit-
salashes, and sarais with which the'country is studded, afford a striking illustration. The distinguished father of my esteemed friend on my left, Baboo Heera Lall Seal, founded at Belighoria an. otitshalah or almshouse where hundreds and thousands are daily fed. The father of my friend here present, Coomar Kally Kissen Roy, contributed largely to the Calcutta Native Hospital, paid Rupees 20,000 to Mrs. Wilson's Female School, and founded several saraiss on the Cuttnck and Balasore roads. These arc not isolated examples ; they are simply suggested by the presence of the sons and representatives of the beneficent donors. They might bo multiplied to any extent. The picture drawn by my friend, Dr. Naylor, of the evils to which the sick poor of this district are subjected, byreason of the want of an institution like the hospital now proposed, are really heart-rending. It is quite time that our community should no longer be disgraced and deformed by the presence of a destitute, miserable, and disease-stricken horde. It is quite time that this unnatural and fearful contrast of conditions should cease. I am sure there is enough of enlightened liberality in this community to ensure success to the proposed undertaking. Poor there will always be till the end of the chapter, in spite of socialists and communists, but they need not exist as a degraded and forsaken class. They need not, and must not, be cut off from the great brotherhood of I now see before me the representatives of several
humanity.
community. I know you are deeply impressed importance of the work which has been laid before you j and I consider it superfluous to urge you to contribute, of your substance, to its furtherance ; I shall therefore conclude by simply recalling to your mind the use of prosperity. It is not to minister to self-indulgence or to fritter away thousands of rupees on nautches, and jattras and marriages and shiads, or to widen the space between the rich and the poor, but to bridge the gulf between the prosperous and less prosperous, to cement your bonds of unity with your fellow-beings, to open np new spheres of active usefulness, and to render you the delegates of sections of
our
with the
Divine benevolence." Such was the speech delivered, with the most perfect fluency, by one speaking in a foreign tongue. We consider it net onlycurious, but most satisfactory evidence of Native talent and Native modes of thought. We perfectly sympathize with the speaker when he alludes to the harsh judgment of certain Englishmen regarding his countrymen ; more particularly do such allusions fall appropriately now, when Mr. Scott Moncrieff has been engaging in a Pharisaical Jehad agaiust an entire nation. If the Asiatics around us are to be systematically vilified under the pretence of Missionary enthusiasm, if they are to be made to believe that they are base and degraded as L eegees, Botocudos, never expect them Bosjesmen, it is clear that we need to support public charities, or to be good citizens, in any sense of the term. Any one who calmly thinks of our position
and
June 1, in
India,
ANALYSIS OF WATER IN INDIA.
1866.] and of the
responsible
will allow that racial animosities even
in the name of
religion
;
duties incumbent
ought
not to be
on
us
here,
disseminated,
but that all the common sympa-
developed and indulgently fostered, so that the unworthy, of whatever caste or creed, may be judged in charity, and even men with darker skins than ourselves allowed to act conscientiously in their own way. thies of our common
nature should be
only about a dozen Native gentlemen present meeting for the establishment of the Chitpore Hospital, yet they subscribed upwards of Us. 5,000, and we have no doubt that many other influential men will give evidence of better dispositions than Mr. Moncrieff would give them credit for. By their works let them be judged. If some are mean, it may be that many are liberal. We now appeal to the Native gentlemen of Calcutta, as a body, to prove themselves ready to display those attributes of well-judged and pure charity that are incompatible with the meannesses of character with which their detractors would brand them. We fee] disposed to think that they will prove themselves not only true to their own consciences, but true to their fellow-creatures in poverty and distress, which is even more practically useful than striving to read the Institutes of Menu with Mr. MoncriefFs spectacles. There were
at the
Prom Rs. 20,000 to 30,000 are still and
required for the founding
permanent establishment of the Chitpore Hospital ; in the large enlightened population of Calcutta, it ought not to be very
difficult to collect this
sum.
161
