Sisters of Mercy Hospital,
Life Span: 1870-1967
Location: 2525 S. Michigan, Calumet avenue, between Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth streets
Archiect: TBD
Chicago Tribune, January 20, 1870
No. 9 Mercy Hospital.
In the summer of 1849, when the city of Chicago contained not over 30,000 inhabitants, the citizens were visited by that dreaded pestilence the Asiatic Cholera. At that time we were destitute of sewers, and such an institution as a public hospital was unknown. An engine and pump, stationed at the foot of Lake street, supplied the city with a very limited amount of water, and the spread of the epidemic in the memorable season to which we allude was greatly facilitated by the utter want of sanitary improvement. About this time the need of a permanent public hospital began to occupy the attention or the public authorities, and a charter for one had been procured from he State Legislature. The manner in which the public money was squandered, however, upon the erection of temporary structures for the advancement of the sanitary condition of the city, awakened much dissatisfaction in the minds of several leading citizens, who resolved to take some measures towards the erection of a hospital under the charter which had been obtained. Dr. N. S. Davis was one or the most active and earnest promoters of this movement, and with a view to call public attention to the whole subject, he announced a course of six public lectures, me proceeds of which wore to be devoted to the opening of a hospital. The small sum of $100 was raised in this way, with which, and a few trifling sums added by contribution, twelve beds were purchased and put into rooms on the third floor of the old Lake House, then occupied as a private boarding house. The beds were soon filled with patients who were nursed by the lady who kept the boarding house, and attended by some of our prominent physicians, among whom was the late Daniel Brainard.
These twelve beds constituted the foundation of the present great and useful institution known as the Mercy Hospital. It has now one of the finest buildings in Chicago, and on the completion of the handsome new edifice which was only commenced last summer, its sphere of usefulness will be extended to a degree commensurate with the wants of the public, and the aims of the society under whose care it has reached its present height of prosperity.
In the spring of 1851 the Sisters of Mercy made an offer to the Trustees named to the charter, to take charge of the hospital, and meet all the expenses of its management except the rent of the building, which was readily accepted. They increased the number of beds, and soon occupied the old Lake House building, the rent of which was paid for three years by private subscription. From the Lake House, it was moved to a building on Kinzie street, and after a few months, to another building on Wabash avenue, where it remained for several years. Then it was removed costly to the present site at the corner of Calumet avenue and Twenty-sixth street, to a house which was originally constructed as a seminary for young ladies. Since it passed into the hands of the Sisters of Mercy, its growth has been steady and uniform, until it now stands as an ornament to the city and a monument to the liberality of its founders.
The surroundings of the hospital are quiet, pleasant and healthy, and the new building has been constructed with all the new improvements which will render it one of the most compute and perfect in the country. It fronts on Calumet avenue, occupying 200 feet, with a frontage on Twenty-sixth street of 85 feet. The north wing is formed of the old hospital, which has been enlarged and remodeled, and there is a third wing in the rear of the main building which extends back 80 feet, making the three wings of equal size and depth. The building is three stories in height, with a basement, raised partially above the street level, beneath which is a deep cellar. The front is divided into five sections, three of which are surrounded by towers with canopy tops, which are used as ventilators. The main entrance is in the centre of the building, and opens into a hall leading to the corridor, which passes along the rear wall on each side of the three stories and basement. This plan of construction in the interior has been adopted in the belief that it «ill afford free circulation of air from the front and rear, the foul air escaping through the rear windows instead of passing through the rooms on the other side of the corridor. On one side of the main hall in the basement is the visitors’ room, and on the other side the reception room for patients. In the rear of these is the dining hall, kitchen, store-room, and pantry, while still further back are a number of cells for uncontrollable patients, and a ward 28 feet wide by 38 feet long. The patients’ rooms are located in the north side of the same floor, and the laundry department, which is furnished with every modern convenience. is in the centre wing.
There are three entrances leading up to the main door in each section, and the hails are constructed after the same methods as those in the basement. A large hall, which will comfortably accommodate 300 people, is fitted up on the third floor as a lecture-room. The north wing of the main floor is entirely for patients’ rooms, the wards, 25 feet wide by 37 feet long, being situated north and south of the main hall on the corridor. In the second story the halls and corridors are similar to those below, and in the south wing are a number of elegant parlors, where convalescent patients may enjoy quiet social intercourse. The third floor is arranged in about the same manner as the floor below, with the exception or the chapel. This is constructed in a plain but tasteful style, and has a seating capacity of about 300.
The above it a brief outline of the main points of the new building, which will be ready for the reception of patients some time daring the coming spring. The old portion of the hospital has been in active use daring all the time of the construction of the new wings.
The Mercy Hospital is a self-supporting institution, but as for as its resources will permit, it also offers an asylum to sufferers who are unable to pay. No one has ever been turned away from the door while there was a bed left for its accommodation. During the present year the hospital has accommodated 875 patients, of which number 123 were free, besides a number who were taken at reduced prices. Thirty beds are always reserved for the free patients who are received into the hospital irrespective of creed or country. Although it is conducted under the care of those protesting the faith of the Roman Catholic Church the question of religion is not permitted to interfere in the work of relieving human suffering, and the religious opinions of the patient are in no case sought to be influenced. The institution is open to all.
The terms on which patients are admitted to the privileges of the hospital are $15 per week for private room; in the general ward the charge is from $3 to $7 per week, according to the means of the patient. Some who are not able to pay so much are allowed to remain at as low as $3 per week.
The expenses incurred in the management of the hospital are at present from $18,000 to $20,000 a year. This expense id defrayed entirely by rent of the wards, no aid being sought from private subscription or other sources. Great economy has to be practiced in order to render it self supporting, which is all that is contemplated by the society.
The hospital is attended free by the faculty of Rush Medical College, who are about to build their new college on the ground adjoining the hospital. Hr. N. S. Davis; who may claim to be one of the original founders of the institutions, continues to be one of its most zealous supporters, and its constant medical attendant. Dr, Andrews, Dr. Byford, and Dr. Johnson also give their services to the aid of the institution.
Those who die in the hospital without friends to take care of their remains, are buried at the expense of the hospital, which has a lot in Calvary Cemetery set apart for that purpose. In other cases the remains are disposed of according to the wishes of the relatives or friends.
Chicago Tribune, January 20, 1870
In the spring of 1851 the Sisters of Mercy made an offer to the Trustees named to the charter, to take charge of the hospital, and meet all the expenses of its management except the rent of the building, which was readily accepted. They increased the number of beds, and soon occupied the old Lake House building, the rent of which was paid for three years by private subscription. From the Lake House, it was moved to a building on Kinzie street, and after a few months, to another building on Wabash avenue, where it remained for several years. Then it was removed costly to the present site at the corner of Calumet avenue and Twenty-sixth street, to a house which was originally constructed as a seminary for young ladies. Since it passed into the hands of the Sisters of Mercy, its growth has been steady and uniform, until it now stands as an ornament to the city and a monument to the liberality of its founders.
Chicago Tribune, September 14, 1963
Array of fire apparatus in action at Mercy hospital yesterday as firemen quickly extinguished fire that started in roof of old section of five-story building. Firemen were on hand with five snorkel towers and three tall ladders to reach the blaze. All patients in the danger zone were evacuated without injury.
Chicago Tribune, August 1, 1965
By Ronald Kotulak.
The operating amphitheater at Mercy hospital is mostly quiet now. Dim light from the 63-year-old fixtures 30 feet overhead fights a losing battle with the shadows lurking among the high-backed seats rising in steep tiers from the operating area.
But it wasn’t always like this. At one time policemen had to be stationed at the entrances to keep the crowds of doctors and interns out while an overflowing audience on the inside watched medical miracles performed.
History-Making Surgery
That was when the amphitheater was one of the world’s leading stages where new life-saving techniques in surgery were first tried and from which modern medicine got a big helping hand.
The great and famous physicians from all over the world regularly came to Mercy to study the daring innovations and to take back what they learned to save lives in their homelands.
The first two rows of seats, which have received many Dr. John B. Murphy thick coats of varnish over the decades, were always reserved for visiting doctors. The two seats in the middle of the first row were the favorites of the Mayo brothers who later opened their famous clinic. Often they could be seen leaning over in their seats with their arms protruding over the low dividing wall, Intently watching an operation.
Mercy Hospital, which will be torn down when its new 20 million dollar structure is completed in 1967.
“Thrilling” for Dr. Mayo
Dr. William J. Mayo later described the dramatic life and death struggles that took place in the amphitheater as a “thrilling” experience Most of the crowds came to watch Dr. John B. Murphy, the greatest surgeon of his time, who did more to elevate the stature of American medicine thruout the world than any other man. “He was a dramatic figure in the operating room,” Dr. Mayo wrote. “With instrument in hand he fairly thrilled his audience, as he reviewed the history of the case, exhibited a specimen, and proved the minute accuracy of his diagnosis.”
The brilliant staffs that have studded the history of Mercy hospital, the oldest hospital in Chicago, are still in evidence today. Altho the hospital was founded in 1851 by the Sisters of Mercy, it wasn’t until 1869 that the first hospital building was opened at 26th street and Prairie avenue.
Original Building in Use
That original building is still in use. The building housing the amphitheater, which has since been renamed for Dr. Murphy, was built in 1902, replacing a smaller amphitheater at that site.
Mercy hospital is a rare combination of a building, top medical staff, nurses, nuns, and a spirit of friendliness. Altho the structure has outlived its usefulness, the spirit has never left.
Many of the city’s top physicians ana surgeons are on Mercy’s staff including Dr. Harold Voris, one of the lead ing neurosurgeons in the coun try, who recently operated on the late Albert Cardinal Meyer, and Dr. Robert Schmitz, whose father established at Mercy hospital the first clinic in Chicago for using X-ray in the treatment of cancer.
In the past many famous persons, such as Theodore Roosevelt, came to Mercy for treatment. Today many prominent residents, including Mayor Daley’s family, regularly use the hospital.
Scare of Its Life
But the old building got the scare of its life two years ago when a fire erupted on the roof and for a time threatened to spread thruout the antiquated structure.
Altho the fire was put out with no loss of life, hospital officials realized that they could no longer put off the construction of a new Mercy hospital. When the new 20-million-dol-lar, 520-bed Mercy hospital is completed in 1967, the old building will be abandoned and torn down. The new building is located west of the old structure.
“I have a very, very warm feeling about the old hospital,” said Sister Mary Gwendoline, administrator of the 355-bed institution.
“One of my big concerns about moving into the new building is that I hope we don’t lose the spirit we have here, that friendly feeling at Mercy.”
Ultra-Modern, Automated
The new building will be ultra – modern with automation taking over many of the tasks now done on foot by nurses and attendants. It will also have one of the largest X-ray units for the treatment of cancer.
Mercy’s many spectacular medical achievements began early in the hospital’s history. Physicians from all over the country watched with great interest one of the big steps forward in surgical annals when, in 1871, Dr. William H. Byford performed the first stomach operation in Chicago.
In the winter of 1872, the amphitheater was again crowded to capacity when Dr. Byford performed the first ovariotomy an incision into the ovaries, the female reproductive organ that was ever performed here.
Murphy Was Chief Surgeon
Mercy’s outstanding claim to fame is its partnership with Dr. Murphy, who was chief surgeon at the hospital from 1895 until his death in 1916.
Most surgeons of his time stood in awe of his work. Some could not keep pace with his achievements and as a result did not understand what he was doing.
In Chicago and thruout the country and even in many world capitals, his name to the public was a byword for medical miracles.
In a sense he was a medical miracle worker because his daring operations snatched many patients from the clutches of death. More important, his new techniques, many of which are accepted now as standard medical practice, were spread thruout many lands by those who came to watch him in the amphitheater.
A contemporary of Murphy’s, Dr. George W. Crile, said, “The place of American surgery abroad is due-more to the brilliant discoveries of Murphy and their forceful presentation than to the work of any other American; and he taught the world what it knows about abdominal surgery, and the surgery of tuberculosis, the blood vessels, and bones and joints.”
Anyone recovering from acute appendicitis today owes a special thanks to Dr. Murphy’s brilliant diagnostic talent. He was the first surgeon to outline the symptoms that still are observed today in diagnosing this ailment, and he was the first to recommend the appendix be surgically removed before it ruptured. Doctors had previously waited until the appendix ruptured before attempting to remove it. As a result many patients died.
“I can still remember the way Dr. Murphy insisted upon use of the three symptoms,” said Dr. William J. Pickett, director of Mercy’s emergency service.
Doctor Recalls Scene
Dr. Pickett took a seat in the dim amphitheater, about half way up, where he used to sit as a young intern to watch Dr. Murphy at work.
“He said there was first the abdominal pain and tenderness, followed by nausea and vomiting, and finally the rigidity of the right rectus muscle the right abdominal mus- & Sister Mary Gwendoline cle,” Dr. Pickett recalled. “It’s too bad he never knew how many lives she saved thru his work.”
One of Dr. Murphy’s earliest innovations was his invention of the Murphy Button which paved the way for modern surgery involving the intestine. The button enabled surgeons for the first time to sever an intestinal tube and later join the ends together. When the splice was healed, the button was dislodged and eliminated thru the lower tract.
Other Progress Noted
His other great accomplishments include: 1897, sutures of arteries and veins; 1893, surgery of the lung; 1907, surgery of the spinal cord; and 1912, arthro-plasty, surgery of thee bones, joints, and tendons.
But the inexorable progress of medicine also contributed to the decline of the amphitheater. Operations have not been performed there for many years. While Dr. Murphy was busy performing his ingenious operations in the open, other researchers were busy learning more about the microbes that cause infection.
Sister Mary Victoria “It is amazing now how so many people survived operations here,” Dr. Pickett said. “Doctors used to sit right around the operating table to watch, and they didn’t wear masks. There were many infections.”
His Mastery Extoled
Another person who knew Dr. Murphy is Sister Mary Victorine, 87, who began working with the doctor in 1906 as a nurse.
“You knew when he stood at the operating table that no matter what emergency came up he would be the master of it,” she recalled.
Sister Victorine, who is now in charge of mending for the hospital, sparkles with vivid stories of the great surgeon and his unbounded energy.
“When his eyes began to shine you knew he had a big idea and that something important was going to come up,” she remarked.
Attended President’s Wound
Sister Victorine attended Dr. Murphy when Theodore Roosevelt came to the hospital by special train from Milwaukee where he had been wounded by a gun shot The former President had been campaigning for a comeback in 1912 when the attempted assassination occurred.
Altho elaborate preparations were set up for an operation to remove the bullet, after examining Roosevelt Dr. Murphy decided that there was less risk in leaving the bullet in than removing it, she said.
“He told me that was how President Garfield died,” she added. “They probed for the bullet, and he developed blood poisoning.”
Dr. Murphy, who had treated the policemen wounded in the Haymarket riot, had become an internationally known expert on gunshot wounds. All that Roosevelt required was a simple gauze dressing over the wound.
Other Firsts Listed
Mercy has also had other distinctions in its long history. In 1853 it became Chicago’s first teaching hospital thru its affiliation with Rush Medical college and in 1909 it opened the city’s first outpatient clinic.
The legacy left by the innovators and teachers at Mercy goes on today, and the roles of teaching and medical research will be expanded when the new hospital plant is opened.
Besides the 20-million-dollar hospital, plans call for the construction of a 100-bed nurses’ building, a nursing home to accommodate 250 elderly persons, and a four-story research building.
Because Mercy is a private institution (altho its outpatient care is free) it depends primarily on gifts and donations for its multimillion dollar building program.
Mercy Hospital
Robinson Fire Insurance Map
1886
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