The following is an extract from the annual report for the year 1857 which was published in January 1858. The report is amongst uncatalogued material at the Dorset History Centre (temporary reference number NG/HH/DO(C)/Accession 4898).

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REPORT OF 1857, SUBMITTED JANUARY 7th, 1858.

The Committee desire anew to record their gratitude to that gracious Providence, which has permitted them to carry on the labours of the Hospital through the 17th year of its existence, and therein to confer an unusual amount of blessing upon their sick and suffering brethren.

The pressure for admission has been greater than for the last few years;  and, consequently, not only has all the available accommodation, especially for Male-Patients, been occupied during a considerable part of the year, but not infrequently applicants have had to wait some weeks before they could be received.

Under these circumstances, the Committee would venture to impress upon the Governors the importance of restricting their recommendations, as far as they can possibly ascertain, to such cases as are more peculiarly suited for Hospital treatment.  It sometimes happens that persons are sent from a distance, either with an imperfect medical account of their complaint, or with none, who require little else but rest, and a better diet, such as either public or private charity might supply at home.  It is always painful to refuse such applicants, and not always easy to analyze their condition, until they have been, perhaps, for some little time occupying beds, which are sorely needed by others.

The daily average of In-Patients (47) as well as the total number treated during the year (404) has been in excess of any previous years;  and the expenditure has been of course heavy.  In fact, upon reference to the Treasurer’s Report, it will be seen that the total income of the year has been exceeded by the sum of about £130.  To justify this excess, the Committee would plead the hope they constantly entertained, that the fluctuating receipts, viz., the Donations, and Congregational Collections, would reach their average  amount.  This has been far from the case;  and it may be possibly accounted for, in some measure, by the urgent demands that have been recently made upon public sympathy in other directions;  and also by the special contributions received in the preceding year from both these sources of income, some £450 of which was funded.

The calls, which are likely to arise in the present year, for the furnishing, &c. Of the Bankes’ Wing, will necessarily be great; but the Committee, from their experience of the past, look forward with much confidence to the future, relying that the County will be prepared adequately to meet the generosity of Mrs. Bankes, and thus to express their high respect and regard for her late lamented husband.

A Contract was entered into for the new Works in the early part of the year;  and the Committee earnestly hoped that they would have been finished, both externally and internally, ere this.  They are sorry, however, to state that, in spite of constant remonstrations, the terms of the Contract have not been fulfilled, and the progress of the buildings up to this period has been most unsatisfactory.  The Contractor (Mr. Wellspring, of Dorchester) has received the notice that the penalties which he has incurred will be enforced.

Shortly after the commencing of the year, Mr. Bacot’s health was sufficiently restored to enable him to resume the duties of House-Apothecary with his accustomed efficiency and intelligence.  Under his superintendence, and that of the kind and excellent Matron, the comforts and discipline of the Institution have been duly maintained.

The Rev. G. E. Moule has vacated the Chaplaincy, having offered himself as a Missionary to the Church Missionary Society.  The Committee are convinced that he carries with him to China, for which  country he has recently embarked, the good wishes of all who have had an opportunity of witnessing the zeal and devotedness which he here displayed.

The Rev. Edward Williams, late curate of St. Peter’s, Coventry, has been elected to the vacant post.  The Committee request again to draw the attention of the Governors to the Chaplaincy Fund, which, although it has received the acquisition of several new friends, still falls short of the amount required.

Every year, of course, increases the weight of obligation, under which the Institution lies to it’s able and attentive Honorary Medical Officers.

The Committee scarcely know how to approach the mournful subject which now remains to be noticed.  In the few short days which have elapsed since the close of 1857, the Institution has sustained a grievous, and , humanly speaking, an irreparable loss. It has pleased God to deprive them, after a brief illness, of their noble and beloved Patron, the Earl of Ilchester, whose generous and unremitting care for the well-being of the Charity has been manifested continuously from its original projection to the very close of his life. It was not merely the benefit of an honourable and highly-respected name that he bestowed upon it, but, to use the language of one who had the best opportunity of observing his course in this matter, (and of whose own affectionate interest in the Hospital, which he so largely contributed to establish, it has also been deprived during the past year,) the late Arthur Dyke Troyte, Esq.-“he helped it still, working its way step by step, by his kind, and always valued, because real, patronage.”

In losing such tried, and untiring, and influential friends, the Committee might well be faint-hearted, if they were not assured that the work was begun in faith, and had been constantly blessed to the promotion of God’s glory, in the relief of the sick and needy. They cannot, therefore, allow themselves to despond, but would rather anticipate that the solemn events, to which they have been referring, will be accepted as warnings to make new efforts in this cause, and to work, whilst it is called to-day, since the night cometh, when no man can work.

C. W. BINGHAM, CHAIRMAN.

January 7, 1858.

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STATISTICAL TABLE OF PATIENTS.

		During the past Year.			From the com-mencement.
		In Patients.	Out Patients.		In Patients.	Out Patients.
On the Books 1st January, 1857.		34	56		–	–
ADMITTED since, viz.–
On Recommendations		320	443		3322	6033
Household Servants		7	–		100	–
Freely as Accident cases		39	6		689	45
Emergencies		4	–		37	–
		370	449
		404	505		4148	6078
RENEWED TICKETS–In-Patients 63. Out-Patients 81. Casual Cases (1857) 618. From commencement 10582
DISCHARGED–
Cured		127	145		1964	2864
Relieved		98	116		1026	1510
Made Out-Patients		66	–		481	–
Made In-Patients		–	32		–	346
At their own request		14	8		198	55
For misconduct		3	–		10	4
Not Relieved		28	2		92	34
Incapable of further relief		1	–		83	40
Improper objects		2	2		16	53
Non-attendance		–	57		–	822
Tickets unrenewed		–	–		19	22
Died		17	8		174	102
No report		1	47		38	138
		357	417		4101	5990
Remaining on the Books		47	88		47	88

Weekly average of In-patients – 47.

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