STATEMENT Orphans' Home, at Davenport, from October 1, 1879, to October 1, 1881. 274 73 $ 506.55 $ 108 04 $ 51.60 $24.00 $ 19.62 $. 512.12 562.82 175.61 88.58 31.35 161.28 $7.60$ 4.00 $ 92.71 $. 29.27 2.70 66.02 51.35 10.02 10.12 11.90 133.55 72.31 82.95 110.27 21.50 74.25 159.45 117.49 7.00 60.83 116.58 $5.65 3.66 32.31 20.30 ....... ....... 5.05 27 55 189.13 557 65 227.28 62.99 94.72 20.50 3.75 9341.16 11925.57 4024.83 3102.45 3332.94 3200.66 162.86 254.44 1361.81 2015.77 104.82 243.22 1047.45 $40,117.98 $40,447.71 PHYSICIAN'S REPORT. DAVENPORT, IOWA. Sept. 30th, 1881. To the Honorable Board of Trustees, Iowa Orphans' Home: IN furnishing you with a history of the medical and surgical management of the Home since my last biennial report, I have to state in detail, that in the late winter and early spring of 1880, many of the children were subjected to the influence of a severe epidemic of scarlet fever, which was introduced into the institution by an adult. female employe. In all, there were forty-six cases-only one death resulting, and that in a boy four years old, Joseph Harbert, who had six weeks before been admitted in an impoverished condition from a county poor-house. Notwitstanding many of the cases had severe and dangerous complications, in no instance did recovery occur attended by deformity or a defective constitution-results which exist after the dreadful disease has passed away. Malaria has shown itself in only one case, that of typho-malarial fever in one of the boys. In the winter of 1881 there were three cases of pneumonia, all of which recovered. In April two of the girls suffered from severe erysipelas of the face. During the same spring there was a slight epidemic of ulcerated sore throat-not diphtheria. Grace Richmond, of Manchester, died January 24th, 1881, on account of specific disease of the blood; showing itself locally in the bones of the nose and head. The illness was of chronic duration, and toward the close she was a great care to the Matron. There have been but few cases of skin eruptions; in fact, the inmates may be said to be practically free from disorders of the skin. There has been very little proneness to diseases of the eyes, only an occasional case having occurred. In February, 1881, I vaccinated all of the children and such of the employes as required it for protection purposes. One case of extensive and long-standing ulceration of the leg has been cured. There is now on hand a case of paralysis of the lower limbs, due to organic disease of one or more of the vertebral bones, making pressure on the spinal cord. The patient cannot recover. The following surgical operations have been successfully performed: The hygienic management of the Home is excellent. The regular hours, the wholesome food, and the plain, good clothing, are the chief causes for the average good health enjoyed by the children. The new buildings furnish warm and comfortable quarters. I am, however, disposed to think that too many children are "homed" in one room. The necessity for this will disappear when the buildings in contemplation are completed. I desire to especially compliment Supt. Pierce and his excellent wife, the Matron, for their watchfulness over the children, both in sickness and in health, also for the valuable service which they have rendered in assisting me in the discharge of my duties. Respectfully submitted, W. F. PECK, Surgeon. |