diligent inquiry

sum, and desires

1872.

for

was burned

had, and is now

per month. That after

is unable to obtain any suitable quarters for a less

That if the Committee shall aid applicant to pay the above

rent,

believes that

port, in whole or in part.

will be able to furnish

The individual applying for rent, will

fill in the blanks in this applica

tion, and sign it here. Applicant's name,

month

own sup

REMARKS:

Have this recommendation signed by two prominent citizens.

We hereby certify that we are acquainted with the above named

; that

is renting

as above stated, and we

believe to be an honest and worthy person, whose statements are entitled to credit.

Send application through the mail to Special Relief Committee, Standard Hall, corner Michigan Avenue and Thirteenth Street.

The indorsement on back of above was :

No.

Application for Rent of

Approved for $

Money paid

Order drawn on Geo. M. Pullman.

27

The applicant must make out for himself a list or a bill of the tools, or instruments he wants; name the price of each tool, and pin the list to this application, or he will receive no attention.

and would be able to contribute largely to his own support if he could obtain them, and he is destitute of means to purchase them, and desires

The individual applying for Tools or

Instruments will fill in the blanks

in this application, and sign it here. Applicant's name,

Have this recommendation signed by two prominent citizens.

CHICAGO,

1872.

The undersigned are acquainted with the above named and believe him to be a deserving person, and that the facts above stated

Send application through the mail to Special Relief Committee, Standard Hall, corner Michigan Avenue and Thirteenth Street.

CHAPTER XIII.

SICK, SANITARY, AND HOSPITAL MEASURES.

MMEDIATELY after the fire, the Board of Health be

IMM

gan to gather the sick and injured who could not find refuge in private families, into churches and school-houses where they were tenderly cared for by physicians and citizens, who very generally tendered their services. In order that there might be as little delay as possible, the sanitary policemen were authorized by the Mayor to impress teams for the transportation of the sick from the prairies and vacant lots whither they had been driven by the flames. At the headquarters of the Citizen's Committee, corner of West Washington and Ann streets, Drs. Rauch and Johnson, of the Board of Health, and Dr. J. E. Gilman of the Citizen's Committee were constantly engaged in assigning physicians and providing medicines. and stores for the churches and other buildings used as temporary hospitals.

When the Relief and Aid Society took charge of the General Relief work in accordance with the proclamation of the Mayor, it assigned to Dr. H. A. Johnson the special duty of organizing and directing this department, with authority to associate with himself such members. of the medical profession as he should think best. The following gentlemen comprised the Committee as finally constituted: Dr. H. A. Johnson, chairman, and Drs. B. McVickar, R. Ludlam, M. J. Asche, J. H. Rauch, M. Manheimer, Ernst Schmidt, B. C. Miller, and Rev. H. N. Powers. Dr. J. E. Gilman was appointed secretary.

For several weeks the committee held daily meetings, and weekly meetings were held during the entire win

ter.

VISITATION.

The city was divided into districts and sub-districts, with the same boundaries and the same offices as those of the Superintendents of Distribution.

To each of these divisions a Medical Superintendent and a sufficient number of visiting physicians were appointed. Their duties were defined in the following circular:

TO MEDICAL OFFICERS.

First. Each visiting physician will establish an office in connection with the depot of distribution in his district.

Second. He will, at a specified hour, morning and evening, visit the office and answer such calls as may be left by the Superintendent of Distribution, the visitors, and the Medical Superintendent of the district.

Third. He will supply himself with a case and medicines for the use of those only who are the proper subjects of relief by this Society. Fourth. He will affix to each prescription that he may send to the dispensing chemist, his signature, with a statement that this prescription is on account of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society.

Fifth. He will especially examine into the sanitary condition of his district, the quantity and quality of food, clothing, dwellings, etc., and all matters having a bearing upon public or private health.

Sixth. He will report daily to the Medical Superintendent of his district, the name, age, sex, and nativity of each patient, with the name of the disease, result of treatment, number of visits to each patient, and such other information as the Medical Superintendent may, from time to time, require.

Seventh. Each Medical Superintendent will have the immediate direction of the medical service and sanitary interest of his district, and will be held responsible for the faithful performance of this work. He will assign visiting physicians to sub-districts, and require of them daily reports of their work. These reports he will condense and present weekly to the Committee. He will admit patients to hospital, and in cases of emergency, visit patients at their homes.

The General Superintendent directed visitors to report all cases coming to their knowledge requiring medical attendance, and the person in charge of each office had such reports at all times in readiness for the medical officer of the district, when he called. All possible aid was given the medical officer of the district, and he was allowed free access to the office and books of the Society at all times.

MEDICAL DISPENSARIES.

In addition to this provision for the visitation of the sick at their homes, dispensaries were established at convenient points, where such patients as were able to apply in person for advice were treated, and where medicines were dispensed upon the prescriptions of any physician certifying that his services in the case were gratuitous. In the North Division of the city there was only one of these institutions; in the West Division there were three, and in the South Division two. Medicines were also dispensed, and out-patients treated at all of the hospitals.

The physicians to these dispensaries were men of approved character and professional standing.

HOSPITALS.

For the relief of such patients as could not safely be treated in their homes or quarters, and who could not apply at a dispensary, hospital accommodations were provided. Fortunately the principal hospitals of the city were in the unburned district. Arrangements were made with all these institutions by which patients were received on account of this Society, without charge for medical and surgical attendance, nursing and general care; the Society furnishing only medicines, rations, and