Philadelphia, December, 1874. 
i/The undersigned have been engaged for the past three years in the task of establishing a great General 
Hospital in connection with the University of Pennsylvania. 
No one familiar with the growth of the population of this State, and particularly with the increase of the 
classes engaged in mining and manufacturing, can be ignorant of the pressing need that has existed for some 
years past for a large increase in the free Hospital accommodation at some one of the great centres of the State. 
Figures might easily be given to show the extent of this, but we will merely refer to its most practical proof, 
the number of poor sick and injured sufferers who are every day brought to this city for medical or surgical treat- 
ment from every section of the State. 
The close business connections which exist between Philadelphia and all parts of Pennsylvania, and its ready 
accessibility by rail from every quarter, must always lead to a large and constantly increasing number of cases 
of severe accident, of surgical diseases requiring operation, and of serious chronic illness, being brought to this 
city for hospital treatment. 
In addition to this, the amount of Hospital accommodation in Philadelphia has, for some years, been grow- 
ing more and more inadequate to meet the demand. 
It is impossible that this need of the State and city should be fully satisfied save by the erection of a General 
Hospital, possessing accommodations to the extent of from 200 to 300 beds, free for all worthy applicants from 
every section of the Commonwealth. 
It has been determined since 1871 to establish such an institution here in Philadelphia; and, in order to 
give assurance of its liberal and judicious management, and of its entire freedom from any local or sectarian 
character, it has been decided to associate it with the venerable University of Pennsylvania, the oldest and most 
illustrious institution of learning in the State. 
The plan proposed has been to erect a Hospital with a central building, containing offices of administration, 
rooms for private patients, etc., and two wings, each capable of accommodating about 140 patients, so that the 
entire capacity of the institution shall be nearly 300 beds. 
In order to carry out this great enterprise, however, there will be needed about $1,000,000, of which $175,000 
wras to be expended for a building site, $325,000 for the buildings, and $500,000 for investment as an Endowment 
Fund for the support of the institution. 
The City of Philadelphia has, with wise liberality, given for this purpose a splendid building site, containing 
6 acres of ground, close to the Junction Railroad in West Philadelphia, so that it is immediately accessible to all 
the lines of railroad converging in this city. 
Application was made to the Legislatures of 1871 and 1872 for $100,000 each, to be devoted to the building 
fund exclusively, and to be paid only on condition that the additional sum of $350,000 was subscribed for the 
endowment of the institution. 
These appropriations were made, the required amount of endowment was secured, and in the spring of 1873 
the foundations of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania were laid. In June, 1874, it was inaugurated 
by his Excellency, Governor Hartranft, and solemnly devoted to the service of the State. Unfortunately, it was 
impossible with the $200,000 appropriated by the State to erect more than the central building and one wing, 
with a capacity of 140 beds. It is now vitally important that the other wing should be erected without delay. 
It is impossible in the present building to classify the patients, or to properly separate the sexes. The number 
of patients also is steadily increasing, and before long it will be impossible to afford accommodation for the press- 
ing claims which are presented every day for the admission of worthy applicants from every section of the State. 
Already during the five months which the Hospital has been in operation, nearly 2000 patients have been 
treated in the Hospital and Dispensary Departments; and of these over 25 per cent, have been from outside of 
Philadelphia County, representing most sections of the State. 
It is thus evident that this great State charity is already actively engaged in fulfilling its pledges to the 
State, so far as its present limited will admit. And it is proposed, in order to secure the completion 
of the building, to appeal to the present State Legislature for a final appropriation of $125,000, based upon the 
securing of an additional $100,000 towards the Endowment Fund. If, as is earnestly hoped, this appeal be successful, the State will soon be in the possession of a magnificent 
Hospital, located in the most favorable position, and dedicated to the perpetual service of the State in receiving, 
without charge, all cases of recent accident occurring in Pennsylvania, and all cases of disease so far as its 
accommodation will permit. 
None will doubt that it is the plain and imperative duty of the State to provide thoroughly for these unfortu- 
nate sufferers; and it is equally clear that, by contributing to complete this Hospital, she can secure her object in 
the most advantageous manner. Thus 
By contributing to Building Fund ........ $325,000 
The State will obtain the use of additional value of land appropriated by City of 
Philadelphia .......... 200,000 
And of Endowment Fund, contributed b}' individuals or corporations . . . 450,000 
$975,000 
It has been shown above that already over one-fourth of all patients treated in this hospital are from outside 
of Philadelphia County; and so soon as the second wing is completed, it will be in position to redeem its pledge 
of maintaining forever 200 beds free for all persons recently injured in this State. 
[Jjgp33 We trust that the above statements have made clear to you the urgent importance of securing this appro- 
priation at the present session of the Legislature; and we would earnestly request you to aid this great charity 
by using your personal influence to secure the favorable consideration of the Senitors and Representatives from 
your district. 
We would also invite your attention to the strong claims of this Hospital upon the liberal support of all 
who are engaged in mining and manufacturing enterprises, requiring the employment of numerous laborers. In 
case of sickness or accident the doors of the Hospital stand ever widely open to receive the sufferer without an 
instant’s delay. 
But the amount of endowment required to properly support such an institution, with over 200 free beds, is, 
of course, very great. Each free bed requires for its maintenance for one year the annual income on $5000, or 
a little over $300. 
Contributions of any amount are earnestly solicited. 
It has also been specially provided that every individual or firm subscribing $5000 to endow a free bed 
shall be entitled to have continually a patient in the wards of the Hospital. 
The average stay of each patient is not over twenty-five da}rs ; so that such a generous gift provides shelter 
and skilled treatment for at least fifteen poor sufferers annually for all time. 
Already a very large number of firms and corporations, or wealthy individuals, have availed themselves of 
this mode of subscribing. 
Very Respectfully Yours, 
ALFRED STILLE, M.D., 
D. HAYES AGNEW, M.D., 
R. A. F. PENROSE, M.D., 
JOHN NEILL, M.D., 
WILLIAM GOODELL, M.D., 
WILLIAM F. NORRIS, M.D., 
GEORGE STRAW BRIDGE, M.D., 
HORATIO C. WOOD, M.I)„ 
LOUIS A. DUHRING, M.D., 
JAMES TYSON, M.I)., 
WILLIAM PEPPER. M.I)., 
Medical Staff of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.