In the first five years of its existence, the formative period of its affairs, its average death rate was 7.648 per cent and its per diem $1.06.

In its second period, the seven years in which it had become fairly settled to work according to old methods, its deathrate was 8.027 per cent and its per diem $1.05.

In the succeeding four years in which it has been adjusting itself to new methods its death rate has been reduced to 6.897 per cent and its per diem has been $1.57.

When enabled by its increased income to augment the number of its patients, its per diem will probably stand at about $1.35.

The difference between this and the per diem of former periods will be offset by profits from its increase of private rooms, or, if any difference remain, it will be the price paid for decreased mortality and the benefit the public gains from having highly trained nurses at command. It has a site and buildings estimated to be worth $450,000, and endowment funds amounting to $616,277.77. Total (property and endowment), 1,066,277.77.

Four of its wards are endowed by legacies, and sixty-five free beds in addition have been endowed.

Its medical corps is constituted as follows: Resident physicians, each serving eighteen months, 6; dispensary staff, serving eleven dispensaries, 36; assistant surgeons, 2; assistant physicians, 4; other assistants, 4; the medical staff, 13; total, 65. Of which there hold duplicate positions 2, making a total corps 63.

Its clinics and wards are daily frequented by the 800 students of the medical school of the University; lectures and lessons from the living subject are given to these students for twenty hours per week during their school term.

Not far from 3,000 students have already gained from these instructions the practical knowledge they have taken into professional life. That the hospital is not alone an infirmary, but also a school, augments the expectation its patients have of recovery because of the close scrutiny teachers must give to diseases in order to describe them.

Its board of managers consists of 26 women and men, and the board of women visitors of 24 women, 4 of the latter being included in the former.

These persons, together with the medical corps, make a total of 113 care-takers of this hospital. These move together in that harmony and mutual respect by which alone the great results they have accomplished could have been achieved.

CHAPTER XV.

THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT,

Prof. Rush Shippen Huidekoper, in his introductory address at the opening of the Veterinary Department of the University of Pennsyl vania, in October, 1884, says: "Our Veterinary Department has been contemplated for some time, and was rendered practicable through the acquisition by the University of this piece of land from the city of Philadelphia, and the liberality of Mr. J. B. Lippincott and Mr. Joseph E. Gillingham, who have furnished the means for these substantial buildings and outfit. Unfortunately a veterinary school can not be ordered and completed like a primary schoolhouse, and we have but the corner stone of what I believe will be a great institution."

In the same address the professor speaks of the suggestions in 1806 of Dr. Benjamin Rush, of the University, as to the importance of adding a Veterinary Department to the institution. He then gives masses of figures, both as to numbers of domestic animals in the United States and as to their money value, running up into the hundreds of millions, and which since that time have increased to many more millions. The effects of disease, especially of epidemics, upon these numbers and these values are forcibly pictured, so that no thinking person can doubt the importance of intelligent veterinary instruction and its good influence upon the humanity, the health, and the wealth of communities.

The progress of the Veterinary Department towards becoming a "great institution" has been as follows:

Under date of November 14, 1882, Mr. J. B. Lippincott writes: Mr. WHARTON BARKER, Esq.,

Treasurer:

DEAR SIR: I herewith inclose 10 of the first-mortgage bonds, series A, of $1,000 each, of the Sunbury, Wilkesbarre and Hazelton Railroad. These bonds are intended as a contribution to an endowment fund for the purpose of establishing a Veterinary Department under the control of the University of Pennsylvania. Until the said department is established, the income of the said bonds is to be disposed of according to the best judgment of the trustees of the University, and always having in view the object of the contribution.

Very respectfully,

J. B. LIPPINCOTT.

A special committee on organization was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Lippincott, Eli K. Price, and Fairman Rogers. This committee reported December 5, 1882, recommending further subscriptions and

giving outlines of plan, and requesting an appropriation of land. The subscriptions were authorized and the land dedicated.

On February 1, 1883, Mr. J. E. Gillingham sent a check for $10,000, and March 6, 1883, the chair of veterinary anatomy and pathology was created. Dr. Huidekoper was nominated for the position, and on April 3, 1883, he was elected to fill the place. Pending the construction of the buildings and further organization, he visited Europe in order to observe and to profit from any improvements in the teachings of veterinary science in the old country.

On May 1, 1883, the committee presented plans of buildings, which were approved and construction ordered; and

On June 5, 1883, a contract was approved for the construction of the main buildings, at a cost of $16,905.

On December 3, 1883, the committee on the Department of Medicine reported a plan of organization, and recommended that the chairs be filled as follows: Chemistry and medical chemistry, Prof, Theodore A. Wormley; materia medica and therapeutics, Prof. Horatio C. Wood; physiology, Prof. Harrison Allen; comparative physiology, Prof. R. M. Smith; morbid anatomy and general pathology, Prof. James Tyson; botany, Prof. Jos. T. Rothrock; zoölogy and parasites, Prof. A. J. Parker; veterinary anatomy, internal pathology, contagious diseases, and sanitary police, Prof. R. S. Huidekoper.

A permanent standing committee on the Veterinary Department was authorized, and Messrs. Lippincott, Price, Rogers, Dr. Mitchell, and Dr. Hutchinson were appointed.

In December Mr. Lippincott offered another $10,000, provided $15,000 should be raised by subscription. This sum Mr. Lippincott generously gave a few months later apart from the condition, thus making his entire contribution to the school $20,000.

On October 2, 1884, the department was formally opened, 20 students having been enrolled, with an inaugural address by Dr. Huidekoper, from which quotations are made in the beginning of this article. A few weeks after, W. Horace Hoskins, V. S., was appointed demonstrator of veterinary anatomy, and Alexander Glass, V. S., demonstrator of veterinary pharmacy.

In 1884 the erection of stables to be used as a hospital was undertaken. Plans were approved of structures to extend 210 feet on Pine street, 36 feet wide, with a 10-foot piazza, at a cost of $16,000. Dr. William L. Zuill was elected professor of surgical pathology, and Dr. William Hunt a member of the veterinary committee of the Board of Trustees.

On January 5, 1886, Mr. J. B. Lippincott died, a loss to the school memoralized in fitting resolutions by the trustees. Since then his children have generously sustained the department, and have given annually at least $4,000 for its support.

In 1887 the veterinary faculty was authorized to apply to the legislature for an appropriation of $50,000 for its hospital, half of which was secured.