THE EAST LONDON HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN. (To rine norms or
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Sin,—At a time when so many appeals are made to the public for hospitals and other charities it may seem almost hopeless to attract attention to the claims of yet another, but the deplorable condition of the finances of the East London Hospital for Children, and the woeful plight of the unfortunate little ones for whom it provides a home in time of sickness, must be the excuse for venturing to intrude on your valuable space. It is not so much immediate financial assistance that is required (urgent though the necessity may be, the indebted- ness to the bankers alone being L4,300) as that a certain number of influential persona only be induced to visit the hospital and see for themselves the good work that is being done in this desperately poor district. All who have paid such visits have expressed their admiration of the wards, the new out-patient department, and the isolation taloa for whooping-cough and diphtheria, the only one of the desorip. tion to be found in any children's hospital in London; they have agreed that the ekill and care displayed by the medical, surgical, and nursing staffs in the treatment of the children are beyond all praise, they have expressed interest and sympathy. But the fact remains that the managers are faced with a large deficit, so that, from motives of economy, they are compelled to close the convalescent home at Bognor for six months of the year, and realize that they most carry on the business of the hospital, which costa 211,000 a year, on an invested income of 21.200 I This has been accomplished in the past, thanks to liberal grants from King Edward's Hospital Fund, the Hospital Sunday and Saturday Funds, and various donations and legacies; but the increasing demands of medical science, the reduction of sub- acriptions, and the interest on the debt incurred render the outlook for the future terribly gloomy unless the public can be roused by the influence of those in high positions to take a greater interest in this little-known and most deserving insti- tution. It may be mentioned that an appeal endorsed by the Lord Mayor resulted in donations amounting to 0210, while an appeal from the Chairman to former benefactors produced C850, a total just sufficient to pay current expenses for three weeks. If further support is not forthcoming the alternative will be for the managers to sell out invested stock, to close a ward, and to abolish the convalescent home, thus causing untold misery to hundreds of destitute children of dock labourers and artisans who are constantly appealing for admission to the hospital, and to whom refusal means enfeebled constitutions and probably death. Visitors to the hospital will be heartily welcomed by the secretary, Mr. W. M. Wilcox.—We are, Sir, &a,
POETIAND. Easom..
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