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(seq. 11)
I hereby certify that I have several times visited the Marine Hospital at Charlestown by desire of the late Dr Jarvis - that since his death, I have been called on for advice in several cases in said Hospital by Dr. Waterhouse. I have been much pleased with the improvements which he has made, & the regulations which he has established, and am fully of opinion that the duties of his office cannot be discharged by any person with more ability fidelity or ability. Sam [C.] Danforth Boston April 15th 1809.
This may certify that when on a visit at Boston last autumn, I had the curiosity to visit the U.S. Marine hospital of which Dr. Waterhouse is Physician. I examined it pretty deliberately & in every department; and from my acquaintances with the larger hospitals in London, & from thirty years practice, I could form some tolerable judgment of this on a small scale, and I am disposed to declare that for neatness, order & comfortable appearance it exceeded any I had seen.
The patients appeared to have an aspect of cheerfulness, and were surrounded with every thing convenient & comfortable. I therefore join in what I [illegible]
(seq. 12)
I hear, is a general sentiment, that the reforms made in this asylum for the sick do credit to it, Physician and conductors - Experience of thirty years practice may have afforded me some means of judging of this house Samuel Shaw
20th Febry. 1809.
Dr Benjn Waterhouse Cambridge Dear sir My visit the last autumn to the Marine Hospital in Charlestown (Mass) under your immediate direction, afforded me real satisfaction; finding as I did that the medical duties, & the economy of the household more attended & discharged with so much ability; in a manner which evinced great care, prudence, and sound discretion.
The cleanliness of the several appointments of the linnen - cloathing - beds & furniture - the order & salutory regulations of the rest & regimen of the patients, & household, reflected much credit on the [Directors.]
The rules & orders you have adopted, appear judicious, and well designed to preserve good order & decorum; to afford relief & comfort to the afflicted subjects of your charge; and to promote the general interests & objects of the institution.
The professional duties attached to the office of
(seq. 13)
chief surgeon of a public hospital are arduous and complicated, but however critical, in the present [ease], the public have much to hope & to expect from a gentleman of your extensive medical science, experience & research: and I rest assured that your assiduous efforts to discharge with fidelity the duties confided to your skill & care will con-tinue to unite & receive the approbation of the government, the support & countenance of the liberal and candid of your profssion, and ultimately a just tribute of respect & reward from an impartial and enlightened community.
Accept my respectful regards & with comp. to your Lady, believe me Dear Sir Your obedient humble sert. Daniel [Cory.]
Augusta, Maine, March 10th 1809
P.S.
I have been in the practice of surgery & [physic] 30 years; have seen a little of life, of the old & new practice, and should really be astonished (if any thing could astonish me at the present day) that bad folks should undertake to attack your treatment & management of the hospital, but such is the animal man.
(seq. 14)
I hereby certify that Dr W. never received any thing from me for boarding in the hospital. On the contrary I had paid the customary fee, at the expiration of my years [pripillage?], he declined receiving any thing for board, altho' I offered it. He said that neither he, nor the steward ever proposed to reap any emolument from the boarding of pupils, that it was an unsettled thing matter, but that he meant meant to lay the business before the govern-ment in "a system of rules & order" which he was preparing to lay before the Secretay of the Surgery. Dr W. said he expected it would be sanctioned by the government; and therefore he declined receiving any thing, but the fee alluded to
Thos. [Fronter?]
Cambridge May 9th 1809.
