Main description:

Financed through the will of Dr Richard Steevens (1653-1710), and brought into existence by his surviving twin sister, Griselda, Dr Steevens' Hospital (1733) rapidly became a vital institution in the city of Dublin's provision of health care. In its origins, it was promoted by leading citizens, including Jonathan Swift and William King. Throughout its long period of activity, it advanced medical science in both the clinical and educational spheres. Abraham Colles (1773-1843) was only one of its world-renowned surgeons and physicians. To its doors were brought the victims of Invincible crime in 1882.T. P. C. Kirkpatrick's magisterial account of Steeven's was the greatest of his many medical publications, rich in detail, attentive to historical context, and ably conveying the professional significance of the work undertaken throughout the decades and centuries. Privately distributed by subscription in 1924, it is now re-published to mark the 275th anniversary of the hospital's opening, together with all the original photographs.

Contents:

Introductory; Dublin in 1700; Richard Steevens, The trustees of Dr Steevens' will; Preparations for the building; The trustees of Madam Steevens' deed; The opening of the hospital; Edward Worth - the Worth library; Swift and the hospital; The completion of the hospital; Early medical and surgical practice in the hospital; Changes in the staff; The hospital property; Closing years of the eighteenth century; Philip Woodroffe; Cusack as resident surgeon; The fever epidemic of 1817-1818; Regulations for medical practice in 1825; Medical teaching in Dublin; South's scheme for the school; Women students; Nursing in the hospital; Improvements in the hospital; The hospital stewards; Appendices; References; Index.