CHARTER 
AND 
BY-LAWS 
OF THE 
COLUMBIA HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN 
AND 
LYING-IN ASYLUM. 
Approved June 10, 1886. 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
Gibson Bros., Printers and Bookbinders. 
1886. i886. 
OFFICERS. 
Rev. RUSH R. SHIPPEN, President. 
Vice-Presidents: 
Gen. E. D. TOWNSEND, Mb. JOHN T. MITCHELL. 
C. H. CRAGIN, M. D., Treasurer. 
L. W. RITCHIE, M. D., Secretary. 
P. J. MURPHY, M. D., Surgeon in Charge. 
JOHN W. BOVEE, M. D„ ) Resident Assistants 
JAMES T. SWEETMAN, Jr., M. D., J liesMenl Assistants. 
JOSEPH A. HORIGAN, Phar. D., Pharmacist. 
Mrs. A. L. S. THOMBS, Matron. 
DIRECTORS: 
Hon. Z. B. Vance, U. S. S. 
Hon. Louis E. McComas, M. C. 
Hon. G. D. Wise, M. C. 
Hon. Samuel E. Wheatley. 
Gen. E. D. Townsend. 
Mr. F. H. Smith. 
Mr. John T. Mitchell. 
Mr. A. S. Solomons. 
Mr. Henry A. Willard. 
C. H. Cbagin, M. D. 
Jas. E. Morgan ,*M. D. 
Rev. Rush R. Shippen. 
L. W. Ritchie, M. D. 
Col. John M. Wilson, U. S. A. 
Nathaniel Wilson, Esq. 
Rev. W. A. Babtlett, D. D. 
Rev. Samuel Giesy, D. D. 
Mr. Thos. J. Fisher. 
ADVISORY BOARD OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS. 
C. H. Cbagin, M. D., L. W. Ritchie, M. D., and Jas. E. Mobgan, M. D. 
COMMITTEES. 
RULES. 
EXPENDITURES 
The President of the Board,(ex officio.) 
C. H. Cbagin, M. D. 
Nathaniel Wilson, Esq. 
Mr. F. H. Smith. 
Col. John M. Wilson. 
Mr. Thos. J. Fishes. 
AUDIT. 
PERSONAL PROPERTY. 
Mr. Henby A. Willabd. 
Jas. E. Mobgan, M. D. 
Mr. John T. Mitchell. 
Louis W. Ritchie, M. D. 
Gen. E. D. Townsend. 4 
WAYS AND MEANS. 
ANNUAL REPORT. 
The Treasurer, (ex officio.) 
Hon. Samuel E. Wheatley. 
Hon. Louis E. McComas. 
The President of the Board, (ex officio.) 
Rev. W. A. Bartlett, D. D. 
Hon. G. D. Wise. 
Mr. Henry A. Willard, Rev. Samuel H. Giesy, D. D., Hon. Z. B. Vance. 
LADY VISITORS. 
VISITING COMMITTEES FOR 1886. 
Hon. Z. B. Vance. 
Hon Louis E. McComas. 
January, February, and March. 
Hon. Geo. D. Wise. 
Col. John M. Wilson. 
April, May, and June. 
Rev. Rush R. Shippen. 
Mr. John T. Mitchell. 
Dr. Jas. E. Morgan. 
Mr. F. H. Smith. 
July, August, and September. 
Hon. Samuel E. Wheatley. 
Dr. L. W. Ritchie. 
Mr. T. J. Fisher. 
Dr. C. H. Cragin. 
Rev. S. H. Giesy, D. D. 
Gen. E. D. Townsend. 
Rev. W. A. Bartlett, D. D. 
October, November, and December. 
Mr. Henby A. Willard. 
Mr. A. S. Solomons. 
Nathaniel Wilson, Esq. 
Mrs. Henby A. Willard, President1333 K street N.W. 
Mrs. Wm. B. Snell, Secretary941 K street N.W. 
Miss Mabgaret Washington 1412 G street N.W. 
Mrs. Samuel Emery301 C street N.W. 
Mrs. S. Phillips Lee1653 Penna, ave. N.W. 
Mrs. T. L. Moobe-.1680 Thirty-first street N.W. 
Mrs. S. Ledyabd Phelps1500 Thirteenth street N.W. 
Mrs. Thos. A. R. Keech645 Penna, ave. S.E. 
Mrs. Jas. B. Edmonds1625 K street N.W. 
Mrs. S. R. Bond13 Iowa Circle N.W. 
Mrs. H. Mai A2009 Mass. ave. N.W. 
Mrs. A. B. Mullett2501 Penna, ave. N.W. 
BOARD OF LADY VISITORS. CHARTER. 
AN ACT to incorporate the Women's Hospital Association of the 
District of Columbia. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Represent- 
atives of the United States in Congress assembled, That 
Abram D. Gillette, Byron Sunderland, Charles H. Hall, 
George W. Sampson, J. N. Coombs, William B. Matchett, 
Henry D. Cooke, William W. Corcoran, Charles Knap, 
J. H. Thompson, Moses Kelly, Ansel St. J ohn, Mrs. Ade- 
laide J. Brown, Mrs. Mary W. Kelly, Elmira W. Knap, 
Mary C. Havener, Mary Ellen Norm ent, Jane Thomp- 
son, Mary L. Harkness, Isabella Margaret Washington, 
Mary F. Smith, Mrs. Elmira W. Powell, and Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Samson, and their successors, duly chosen, are 
hereby constituted and created a body-corporate in the 
District of Columbia, by the name of the Columbia Hos- 
pital for Women and Lying-in Asylum. 
Sec. 2. And be it f urther enacted, That said corpor- 
ation hereby constituted shall consist of twenty-four 
members. They shall have power to fill all vacancies 
created by death, resignation, or otherwise, and to make 
by-laws, rules, and regulations : Provided, That such 
by-laws, rules, and regulations are not repugnant to 
the Constitution or laws of the United States. 
Sec. 3. And be it f urther enacted, That the affairs 
of said corporation shall be under the control and man- 
agement of a board of twelve directors, to consist of the 
5 6 
first twelve of the above-named incorporators, or such 
further number as the duties of the corporation may 
require, such increase of numbers to be made by a vote 
of two-thirds of the existing board. The board of direc- 
tors shall also have power to appoint all sub-committees 
necessary to the direction and efficiency of the institu- 
tion hereby authorized to be established. 
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the first 
twelve corporators named in the first section hereof, 
together with those who may be elected directors as 
provided in the preceding section, shall constitute the 
first board of directors, who shall from their number 
elect a president, two vice-presidents, a secretary, and 
treasurer; and seven of the directors, of whom the 
president or one of the vice-presidents shall be one, 
shall form a quorum for the transaction of business. 
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the object 
of the association hereby incorporated is to found in 
the city of Washington a hospital and dispensary for 
the treatment of diseases peculiar to women, and a 
lying-in asylum, in which those unable to pay therefor 
shall be furnished with board, lodging, medicine, and 
medical attendance gratuitously, and to that end full 
powers are hereby conferred on the association. 
Sec. 6. And be it f urther enacted, That said corpor- 
ation shall have power to accept, purchase, receive con- 
veyance of. and hold property, either personal or real, 
to an amount necessary for the full accommodation, 
convenience, and support of the institution and those 
participating in its benefits. 
Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That the property, 7 
personal or real, so held by said corporation shall be 
exempt from all taxes and assessments levied under 
act of Congress or by authority of any municipal cor- 
poration or board within the District of Columbia. 
Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That Congress 
may at any time hereafter alter, amend, or repeal this 
act. 
Approved, June 1, 1866. 
[Extract from Sundry Civil Bill, 1872.] 
For purchase of building now occupied by said hos- 
pital, with forty thousand feet of ground, twenty-five 
thousand dollars : Provided, That the title to said real 
estate shall be vested in the United States, for the use 
of said hospital, and that no part of the real or personal 
property now held or hereafter to be acquired by said 
institution shall be devoted to any other purpose than 
a hospital for women and lying-in asylum without the 
consent of the United States; and that, in addition to 
the directors whose appointment is now provided for 
by law, there shall be three other directors appointed 
in the following manner: One Senator, by the Presi- 
dent of the Senate, and two Representatives, by the 
Speaker of the House; these directors shall hold their 
offices for the term of a single Congress, and be eligi- 
ble for reappointment. 
Approved, June 10, 1872. 
AN ACT making appropriations to provide for the expenses of 
the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year 
ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and eighty-one, and 
for other purposes. Approved, June 4, 1880. 8 
"Provided, That one of the Commissioners of the 
District of Columbia, to be selected by the Board of 
Commissioners, shall be a trustee of said hospital and 
lying-in asylum, with all the powers, privileges, and 
duties of other trustees of the same." BY-LAWS AND REGULATIONS. 
Be it ordained by the Board of Directors of the 
Columbia Hospital for Women and Lying-in Asylum, 
and it is hereby ordained by thdr authority, That the 
following By-Laws and Regulations be, and are hereby, 
established as laws and ordinances of said corporation, 
and that all by-laws, rules, and regulations, or parts 
thereof, heretofore made, inconsistent with these, are 
hereby repealed. 
Chapter I. 
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of 
not more that fifteen members, with such special mem- 
bers as may be added by authority of Congress. Seven 
Directors, of whom the President or one of the Vice- 
Presidents shall be one, shall constitute a quorum. 
Sec 2. If any elected Director remove permanently 
from the District of Columbia, or be absent without 
excuse from four consecutive meetings of the Board, 
such absence shall be deemed a resignation of director- 
ship, and the vacancy shall be filled by the Board. 
Sec. 3. Vacancies in the Board of Directors may be 
filled at any regular or special meeting of the Board, 
nomination thereto having been made at a previous 
meeting. 
Sec. 4. The Directors shall hold quarterly meetings 
Of the Directors. 
9 10 
during the year at the Hospital, on the second Thurs- 
days of March, June, September, and December, at 
half past 7 p. m.; that in December shall be the annual 
meeting. 
Sec. 5. At the annual meeting there shall be elected, 
by a majority of the Directors present, a President, two 
Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Surgeon in 
Charge, and a Matron for the ensuing year. They shall 
also, at the annual meeting, elect, in like manner, an 
Advisory Board of Physicians and Surgeons, residents 
of the District of Columbia, to consist of four mem- 
bers, eminent in their profession; and a Board of Lady 
Visitors to consist of not less than six, nor more than 
twelve members. At the same meeting, or as soon 
thereaftei' as practicable, the President shall appoint 
the following Committees : 
I. Committee on Rules. 
II. Committee on Expenditures 
III. Committee on Audit. 
IV. Committee on Personal Property. 
V. Committee on Ways and Means. 
VI. Committee on Annual Report. 
VII. Committee on Medical and Surgical Supplies. 
VIII. Committee on Lady Visitors. 
Sec. 6. The term of office in all the above shall begin 
with the first day of the ensuing January and continue 
to the end of the last day of the next December, or 
until their successors are appointed and duly qualified. 
Sec. 7. Vacancies occurring in the officers of the 
Hospital or in the Advisory Board of Physicians and 11 
Surgeons may be filled, for the unexpired term, at the 
next regular, or at a special meeting called as herein- 
after provided. 
Sec. 8. The following shall be the order of business 
at the regular meetings of the Board: 
1. Calling the roll. 
2. Reading the minutes of the last meeting. 
3. Communications. 
4. Report of the Surgeon in Charge. 
5. Report of the Advisory Board of Physicians and 
Surgeons, (annual.) 
6. Report of the Treasurer. 
7. Report of the Matron. 
8. Reports of Standing Committees. 
9. Reports of Special Committees. 
10. Unfinished business. 
11. Resolutions and new business. 
12. Election of officers. 
13. Nomination and election of Directors. 
Sec. 9. All reports and resolutions shall be in writing, 
and signed by the authors thereof. 
Chapter II. 
President and Vice-Presidents. 
Sec. 1. The President, a Vice-President, or two Di- 
rectors may call a special meeting of the Directors and 
appoint a time for such meeting, giving two days' no- 
tice of the same, and the object of said meeting. 
Sec. 2. The President, and in his absence one of the 
Vice-Presidents, shall preside at all meetings of the 
Board of Directors, and preserve order therein. He 12 
shall appoint all standing committees, and also all 
special ones when requested by the Board. 
Chapter III. 
Sec. 1. The Secretary shall attend the meetings of 
the Directors, take minutes of the proceedings, and 
transcribe them in a book provided for that purpose. 
Immediately after the election of Directors and officers 
he shall give notice to the persons so elected. He shall 
give not less than two days' notice of each special and 
stated meeting to each of the Directors. At every meet- 
ing, unless otherwise ordered, he shall read the minutes 
of the preceding meeting. All reports relating to the 
Hospital and Dispensary, except such as can be prop- 
erly preserved on file for reference, shall be entered on 
the minutes. 
Sec. 2. The Secretary shall keep a roster of the Di- 
rectors, arranging them, as nearly as practicable, in 
equal numbers, as Visiting Committees, and at each 
quarterly meeting shall notify the Directors he has 
designated as Visitors for the ensuing quarter. 
Secretary. 
Chapter IV. 
Sec. 1. The Treasurer is the custodian of all papers 
and documents relating to the property of this Hos- 
pital, and of all moneys belonging thereto, except his 
own official bond to the Hospital, which shall be in the 
custody of the President of the Board of Directors. 
He shall give bonds and security, as required by the 
Treasurer. 13 
regulations of the United States Treasury. He shall 
also give bonds and security, satisfactory to the Board 
of Directors, for such money as may be received from 
pay-patients. He shall pay no moneys except under 
resolution of the Board of Directors, or upon vouchers 
approved by the Committee on Expenditures. All pay- 
ments shall be by checks, and checks drawn upon the 
pay-patient fund shall be countersigned by a majority 
of the Committee on Expenditures. At each quarterly 
meeting he shall present an account showing the state 
of the treasury in his hands, and report in detail at the 
quarterly meeting in September his receipts and ex- 
penditures for the preceding fiscal year, ending with 
the 30th day of June, which report shall then be re- 
ferred to the Committee of Audit for examination and 
report at the next stated meeting. 
Chapter V. 
Committee on Rules. 
Sec. 1. This committee shall consist of the President 
of the Board of Directors, and two other members, to 
which shall be referred all motions to alter and amend 
the By-Laws, and who shall report thereon at the next 
meeting of the Board, with such recommendations as 
they deem best. 
Chapter VI. 
Committee on Expenditures. 
Sec. 1. The Committee on Expenditures shall consist 
of three Directors. They shall elect a chairman and 14 
secretary, and have supervision and control of all ex- 
penditures. They shall not authorize alterations or 
repairs without personal inquiry and inspection, and 
shall not approve any expenditure for such purposes 
not previously authorized by them or the Board of 
Directors. 
Chapter VII. 
Committee of Audit. 
Sec. 1. This Committee shall consist of two Direc- 
tors. They shall examine the annual report of the 
Treasurer and the quarterly reports of the Matron, 
with their vouchers, and report thereon at the next 
regular meeting of the Board of Directors. 
Chapter VIII. 
Sec. 1. This Committee shall consist of three Direc- 
tors. It shall be their duty to inspect and compare 
witn the inventories of the surgical, medical, and house- 
hold supplies of the Hospital, as hereinafter required 
to be kept by the Surgeon in Charge and the Matron, 
respectively, all the books, surgical and medical sup- 
plies, linen, kitchen and household furniture, garden 
tools, live stock, etc., the property of the Hospital. 
The annual reports of the Surgeon in Charge and the 
Matron on these matters shall be referred to this Com- 
mittee for examination and report thereon at the next 
regular meeting of the Board 
Committee on Personal Property. 15 
Chapter IX. 
Committee on Ways and Means. 
Sec. 1. This Committee shall consist of the Treasurer 
and of two other Directors. It shall be their duty to 
keep themselves informed of the amount of money on 
hand available for Hospital purposes; to make estimates 
of the amount that will probably be required during 
the succeeding fiscal year for improvements, repairs, 
salaries, and Hospital support; to report thereon to 
the Board of Directors at the quarterly meeting in 
September, and represent the interests of the Hospital 
before Congress. 
Chapter X. 
Committee on Annual Report. 
Sec. 1. This Committee shall consist of the President 
and two Directors, whose duty it shall be to prepare 
and present to the Board of Directors the annual re- 
port of the Board of Directors to the proper authority. 
Chapter XI. 
Committee on Medical and Surgical Supplies. 
This Committee shall consist of one member of the 
Board of Directors. 
He shall examine and approve all vouchers for med- 
ical and surgical supplies, purchased for the use of the 
Hospital and Dispensary, before the same are sub- 
mitted to the Committee on Expenditures. 16 
Chapter XII. 
Committee on Lady Visitors. 
Sec. 1. This Committee shall consist of three Direc- 
tors, whose duty it shall be to receive and report to the 
Board of Directors, with such recommendations as may 
be deemed necessary, all written communications com- 
ing to them from the Board of Lady Visitors. 
Chapter XIII. 
Visiting Committee. 
Sec. 1. The Visiting Committee shall visit and inspect 
the Hospital twice in each month. They shall record 
in a book kept for that purpose their opinion of the 
condition of the Hospital and its inmates, and such 
suggestions as may appear to them advisable, reporting 
the same at each quarterly meeting. 
Chapter XIV. 
The Surgeon in Charge. 
Sec. 1. The Surgeon in charge shall be present at all 
meetings of the Board of Directors. 
Sec. 2. He shall reside in the Hospital and receive 
his board and lodging free, and such salary as the 
Board of Directors may determine. He shall devote 
his time to the interests of the Hospital and its in- 
mates, and see that at no time it be left without com- 
petent medical attendance. He shall keep an exact 
record of the medical and surgical treatment of each 
patient, and at each regular meeting shall report in 17 
writing to the Board of Directors the number of 
patients admitted and treated in the Hospital and Dis- 
pensary during the preceding quarter. At the quarterly 
meeting in September, in addition to the quarterly re- 
port, he shall submit to the Board an annual report of 
the medical, surgical, and obstetrical service of the in- 
stitution during the fiscal year ending with the 30th 
day of the preceding June, and shall make such sugges- 
tions and recommendations as he may deem advisable. 
Sec. 3. Being responsible to the Directors for the 
proper conduct of the Hospital and Dispensary, he, ad- 
vised and aided by the Advisory Board of Physicians 
and Surgeons, shall have entire control of the internal 
police and management thereof; shall engage, or cause 
to be engaged, all necessary cooks, nurses, and such 
other employes as may be required for the proper at- 
tendance and comfort of the inmates, and shall have 
power to discharge for cause; but the approval of the 
Committee on Expenditures is requisite before the em- 
ployment of laborers or workmen on the building or 
grounds. 
Sec. 4. He shall receipt for all medical and surgical 
property furnished for the use of the Hospital; and no 
voucher for any such article shall be approved or paid 
unless indorsed by him as received for the use of the 
Hospital. He shall keep in a book, provided for that 
purpose, an accurate inventory of books, bound vol- 
umes of medical and other journals, surgical, scientific, 
and medical instruments, stores, etc., in? his possession, 
adding thereto each new purchase when made. At the 
quarterly meeting in September he shall make an annual 18 
report of all such property in his possession and its 
condition, which report shall be referred to the Com- 
mittee on Personal Property for examination, and re- 
port thereon at the next regular meeting of the Board: 
and no book, medical or surgical appliance, or other 
property shall be removed from the Hospital without 
written receipt therefor, and security, satisfactory to 
him, for the return thereof in proper order and time 
by the party desiring its temporary use. 
Sec. 5. No capital operation requiring' anaesthesia 
shall be performed, except in cases of urgent necessity, 
without the approbation of two of the Advisory Board 
of Physicians and Surgeons present after due notifica- 
tion, nor shall any operation be performed by any other 
than the Surgeon in Charge, except as provided for in 
Chap. XIV, Sec. 5. No medical examination of patients 
shall be made except by the Surgeon in Charge, or by 
such of the Advisory Board as he may elect. 
Sec. 6. In order to render the Hospital, so far as may 
not conflict with the welfare of the patients, conducive 
to the advancement of medical science, the Surgeon in 
Charge is authorized to admit such medical gentlemen 
to see the medical and surgical practice of the house 
as he may think proper. 
Sec. 7. He is also authorized to appoint, with the ap- 
proval of the Advisory Board of Physicians and Sur- 
geons, two graduates in medicine, to hold office for one 
year from date of appointment, with privilege of re- 
appointment, who shall not engage in the practice of 
medicine outside of the Hospital. They shall be entitled 
to reside in the Hospital free of cost, to assist in the 19 
service of the Hospital and Dispensary, and attend to 
such duties as may be assigned them there, but subject 
to removal for cause. 
Chapter XV. 
Advisory Board of Physicians and Surgeons. 
Sec. 1. The Advisory Board of Physicians and Sur- 
geons shall be considered as counsellors of the Sur- 
geon in Charge. They shall, except in cases of urgent 
necessity, be invited to attend at all capital operations re- 
quiring anaesthesia, and no such operation shall be 
performed against the advice of a majority of such 
Board present, except as specified in Chapter XIII, 
Section 5. They shall also advise and assist the Sur- 
geon in Charge in the conduct of the Dispensary of the 
Hospital, and adopt such rules for the government 
and administration of that service as they, with the 
approval of the Surgeon in Charge, may deem proper. 
They shall give their counsel in all cases when called 
upon by the Surgeon in Charge. 
Sec. 2. During their term of service at the Dispen- 
sary, when unable to attend, the Resident Assistants, 
with the approval of the Surgeon in Charge, shall con- 
duct such service. 
Sec. 3. Each member of the Advisory Board shall 
have the privilege to invite practitioners and students 
of medicine to witness such surgical operations as he 
may deem advisable, with the consent of the Surgeon 
in Charge. 
Sec. 4. During their term of service they may visit 20 
the Hospital as often as they or any of them deem nec- 
essary, and at each visit they shall report in writing, 
in a book to be kept for that purpose, the condition of 
the Hospital and its inmates. They shall also present 
to the Board of Directors, at the quarterly meeting in 
September, an annual report, with such recommenda- 
tions as the interest of the Hospital demands. 
Sec. 5. At the request of the Surgeon in Charge, an 
Advisory Physician may visit any particular patient as 
often as he, the Surgeon in Charge, may desire, and in 
no case shall the Surgeon in Charge elect other than an 
Advisory Physician to make such visits, except by the 
special request of the patient and with the approbation 
of such Advisory Physician. All consultations shall be 
confined to the members of the Advisory Board, ex- 
cept as above provided; and nd surgical operation shall 
be performed except by the Surgeon in Charge, or, at 
his request, by some member of the Advisory Board, or 
other fully recognized member of the profession, and 
with the approbation of the members of the Advisory 
Board present. 
Chapter XVI. 
Sec. 1. The Lady Visitors shall, by one or more of 
their number, visit the Hospital from time to time, after 
an order to be arranged by themselves, and may at 
any time, in writing, make suggestions for the com- 
fort of the inmates, through the Committee on Lady 
Visitors. 
The Board of Lady Visitors. 21 
Chapter XVII. 
The, Matron. 
Sec. 1. The Matron is the housekeeper of the Hos- 
pital, under the general direction of the Surgeon in 
Charge. She shall have the immediate oversight and 
direction of its domestic management, and shall super- 
intend and direct the cooking and distribution of food; 
shall see the supply is sufficient and of good quality, 
and in all cases precisely in accordance with the orders 
of the Surgeon in Charge. 
Sec. 2. She shall visit all patients in the Hospital at 
least once every day, and if any complaints are made 
by the patients of incivility, want of proper attention, 
or improper conduct by the nurse, she shall report the 
same immediately to the Surgeon in Charge. 
Sec. 3. She shall, under the direction of the Surgeon 
in Charge, have charge of and be responsible to him 
for all housekeeping furniture of every description, 
and all requisitions for new purchases of such fur- 
niture shall be submitted to him and approved in 
writing before purchase. Assisted by the apothecary, 
she shall keep in a book provided for this purpose an 
accurate inventory of such purchases; and no voucher 
shall be paid unless endorsed by the Surgeon in 
Charge as having been received for the benefit of the 
Hospital and Dispensary. She shall also make an 
annual return of all articles that have been disabled or 
worn out; which return shall then be referred to the 
Committee on Personal Property for examination, and 
report at the next regular meeting of the Board of 
Directors. 22 
Sec. 4. She shall also keep a correct account of the 
reception and discharge of pay-patients and the terms 
of their admission; make out the bills for their board, 
and receive payments for the same; and all moneys re- 
ceived by her belonging to the Hospital shall be paid 
to the Treasurer at the. end of each month, or as much 
oftener as he shall direct, taking his receipt therefor ; 
and she shall report to the Board of Directors, through 
the Secretary, at each quarterly meeting all such sums 
so received and paid, with the vouchers therefor, which 
report shall then be referred to the Committee of Audit 
for examination and report at the next regular meeting 
of the Board. 
Sec. 5. The Matron shall receive visitors, wait upon 
them through such parts of the house as the Surgeon 
in Charge may direct, and perform any other indoor 
service he may require, and shall not leave the Hospital 
without his knowledge and consent. 
Chapter XVIII. 
Nurses and Employes. 
Sec. 1. The nurses shall treat the patients with uni- 
form kindness and respect, evince good-will, interest, 
and sympathy, and never address a patient coarsely or 
with rudeness. 
Sec. 2. Any complaints made to the nurses by the 
patients shall be immediately reported to the Matron. 
Sec. 3. Under no circumstances shall a nurse or other 
employe be allowed to inform any one of the nature of 
the disease from which a patient may be suffering, nor 23 
shall they be allowed to speak with disrespect of any 
officer of the Hospital, under pain of prompt dismissal. 
Sec. 4. Employes shall not be permitted to absent 
themselves from the Hospital without first obtaining 
the consent of the Surgeon in Charge ; and in all cases 
they shall strictly obey his instructions, and be subject 
to such regulations as he may find necessary to es- 
tablish. 
Chapter XIX. 
Patients. 
Sec. 1. No patient shall be admitted without being 
first examined by the Surgeon in Charge and receiving 
his approval. Having such approval, patients shall be 
admitted to the free-wards of the Hospital by an order 
from the Hon. Commissioners of the District of Colum- 
bia, or from any member of the Board of Directors. 
Sec. 2. Patients shall be admitted to the pay-ward in 
the Hospital on the payment of not less than six dollars 
a week ; and to separate rooms at rates to vary with 
the room occupied and attendance required. Such 
rates shall be determined by the Surgeon in Charge, 
with the approval of the Advisory Board. And the 
Surgeon in Charge shall compare and verify the Ma- 
tron's account of moneys received by her for the Hos- 
pital with the record of pay-patients admitted, with the 
dates of their admission and discharge. Board is to be 
paid weekly in advance. 
Sec. 3. Patients shall be discharged by order of the 
Surgeon in Charge only; but no } atient shall be re- 
tained who may be suffering from an infectious or in- 
curable disorder, except by the advice of the Advisory 24 
Board or a majority of the members present, after due 
notice. 
Sec. 4. No patient shall be admitted who is not 
suffering from some " disease peculiar to women," or 
which is modified by her sex, or who is suffering from 
a contagious disease. 
Sec. 5. Patients are not permitted to use any article 
of diet, drink, or medicine, except such as are pre- 
scribed by the Surgeon in Charge, nor to visit the 
rooms of other patients or the working-rooms of the 
Hospital, or to leave the Hospital without his consent. 
Chapter XX. 
Visitors. 
Sec. 1. Visitors may be admitted between the hours 
of 10 a. m. and 6 p. m. on Tuesdays and Fridays of 
each week, or at other times by special permission of 
the Surgeon in Charge. 
Sec. 2. No visitor shall be allowed to carry articles 
of diet to patients unless by permission of the Surgeon 
in Charge. 
Sec. 3. Patients shall receive visitors in the parlor 
unless confined to them rooms. 
Chapter XXI. 
Sec. 1. The dispensary service of this Hospital is 
intended for poor women only, who are unable to pay 
for the services of a physician, and who are suffering 
The Dispensary. 25 
from diseases peculiar to, or essentially modified by, 
their sex. 
The days for attendance will be Mondays, Tuesdays, 
Thursdays, and Fridays, from 1 to 3 p. m. 
Patients will be required to furnish their own bottles 
for medicine. 
Chapter XXII. 
Amendment of the By-Laws and Bides. 
Sec. 1. These By-Laws and Rules, or any of them, 
may be altered or amended by a two-thirds vote of the 
Directors present at any regular or special meeting of 
the Board of Directors, provided such alteration or 
amendment shall have been proposed in writing at a 
previous meeting of the Board. 
Approved June 10th, 1886. 
Attest: E. D. TOWNSEND, 
Vice-Presiden t. 
Compared with original resolutions and found to be 
correct. 
LOUIS W. RITCHIE, M. D., 
Secretary.