[From Manx Quarterly, #11 Oct 1912]

THE NEW HOSPITAL.

OPENING CEREMONY — SEPTEMBER 11th, 1912

King's weather favoured the imposing demonstration which attended the opening of the new hospital which has been erected in Westmoreland-road, Douglas, from the funds in the hands of the trustees under the will of the late Mr Henry Bloom Noble. Bright sunshine obtained, and the temperature was much milder than had been experienced for a month previously. The hospital committee and Noble's trustees did the right thing in deciding that the opening should partake of a public character and that representatives of all classes of the community should be invited to bear a part in it. Liberal as the trustees have been in spending over £20,000 in providing and furnishing the new hospital, and in endowing the institution to the extent of £20,000, public support must be enlisted if the best use is to be made of the fine building. The product of the endowment will only be about £600 a. year, and this sum will not suffice to meet the difference in the cost of maintenance as between the new building and the old. This being so, subscriptions must increase rather than decrease if the full measure of benefit is to be obtained from the munificent gift of the trustees; hence the wisdom of getting together as many persons of all grades as possible at the opening function, and impressing them with the importance of not relaxing in their support of the hospital. Over fifty years ago the first public hospital was opened in Fort-street, the building used for treatment of the sick poor standing on a site now occupied by the coalyard of Andrew Knowles and Sons, Ltd. It had a frontage to the street, and the rear overlooked the fore-shore ere the enclosure of the shore consequent upon the construction of the Loch Promenade and Victoria-street took place. When that enclosure came about the old hospital was shut in, and to its original defects was added inadequacy of space. In these days the Fort-street hospital would be regarded as absurdly insufficient both in size and arrangement for treatment of the sick in Douglas, but good work was accomplished there. For many years ere it closed there was general recognition that a new building was a necessity, and the only question was the provision of the requisite funds. Various schemes were suggested, but all seemed far from realisation when the late Mr and Mrs Noble stepped in and solved the difficulties by offering to present the committee with a new hospital building — Mrs Noble was to give the land, and Mr Noble was to provide the money for the erection of the hospital. The offer was most gratefully accepted, and the out-come was the very handsome set of buildings at the rear of Mona-terrace. This was in 1887, and at the time everybody thought that the new edifice would meet the wants of the sick poor of Douglas and district for a hundred years to come. But medical science has within the last quarter of a century or so made such enormous advances that, well-suited as the original Noble's Hospital was to the latter decade of the nineteenth century, it became out-of-date ere the twentieth century was many years old. Consequently when the trustees of Mr Noble's will came to take counsel with the hospital committee as to the effect which should be given a direction in the will to apply a sum of money in improving the existing hospital or in erecting another building, they came to the conclusion that the wiser policy was to provide a new hospital up-to-date in arrangement and equipment. The trustees accordingly offered the hospital committee £20,000 for the purpose of erecting a hospital on a site in Westmoreland-road, which they — the trustees — made a gift of, and to endow the institution to the extent of £20,000. The committee, after consulting the governors, closed with the offer, and no time was lost in setting to work on the new building. Mr William Henman, F.R.I.B.A., the eminent specialist in hospital design, was retained to furnish plans, and these were approved by the committee. By the way, it may be of interest to here state that the plans for the original Noble's Hospital were by Messrs Cubbon and Bleakley, of Birkenhead. One of the partners in this firm was Mr T. W. Cubbon, brother of Messrs Cubbon, of Rushen Abbey. To return to the inception of the second Noble's Hospital, the plans of Mr Henrnan having been approved, tenders for the erection of the new building were invited. That of the late Mr George Preston, of Douglas, was accepted, but just as the ground had been cleared ready for building operations, Mr Preston was seized with illness to which he quickly succumbed. Mr Mark Carine, of Douglas, was then entrusted with the carrying out of the work, and the trust has been well reposed, for the finished building, in the matter of workmanship, is a credit to the Isle of Man.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION.

A more detailed description of the New Hospital buildings has been furnished to our representative, which may be of some interest. Beginning at the top of the administrative building, the roof is of the best Buttermere slates, which are the most durable that can be obtained. On the top or third floor there are twelve adequate and up-to-date lavatories. These bedrooms for night nurses, provided with apartments are closed by doors in the corridors. The whole of the lighting of the interior of the buildings is by electric light, with separate switches for each room and corridor. There is also gas-lighting in case of a breakdown of the electric system. Telephonic communication is provided to the principal wards and rooms, and there is also general telephonic communication from the hospital to the Exchange, and communication by electric bell from the gateway on the road, in case of accidents at night. There is also a separate telephone communication to the nurse in the male surgical ward for accident cases. The floors and skirting are of maple. The walls are all white duresco. Every room has an air inlet and an air outlet carried up the flues - the chimney stacks. This portion of building commands a view of Douglas There are no sharp angles or co throughout the interior of the building which dirt can collect; everything rounded oft to avoid dust and the collation of germs. The bedrooms are heated by hot water pipes, and there open fires in the principal sitting-room. The lavatories are of glazed tile dado and the corridor and lavatory floors in marbled terrazzo with cooed ornamental border and glaze-tiled skirting. Altogether, there are twelve bedrooms an this floor, and a store-room fitted up with cupboards, etc. The whole of the stair-case in the administrative building, from basement to the top floor, is of reinforced concrete, finished with terrazzo and tiled skirting. The balustrades are of ornamental iron with teak handrail, The staircase is handsome, well-lighted, and nicely arranged.

On the second floor there are the same number of bedrooms with ample lavatory accommodation and housemaid's sink. The end door of the corridor opens out on the terrace roof of the main entrance porch. It is surrounded by heavy lime-stone balustrades, worked by the men at the Scarlet quarries-some of the best ornamental work in limestone ever done in the Island. Substantial and handsome oak furniture is placed in every room, consisting of wardrobe, dressing table, wash-stand, and shelved table for books and papers.

On the first floor are found some of the principal apartments. The main entrance is by a massive limestone porch opening to a wide corridor. On the left side is the committee-room, a handsome oak-wainscotted room with a large circular window looking out on the seaward side. The room is floored with maple. There is an ornamental open fireplace. Telephones communicate with all parts of the hospital, and also with the Exchange. Electric and gas lighting are provided, and the room is nicely furnished with tables, chairs, and bookcases. On the right-hand side of the corridor are two bedrooms and lavatory for the House Surgeon and any possible assistant or guest. The House Surgeon's sitting-room adjoins the committee-room. Next we come to the private reception rooms, and then to the matron's sitting-room. The matron's bedroom, office, and stores form a suite of rooms all at the south-east end of the administrative department. here are on the corridor on the ground floor of the administrative department, branching off to the north, two large storerooms, and a scullery, kitchen, and servery, with glazed dado. They are fitted with gas fires and cooking requisites. There is electric light, hot and cold water, and every modern arrangement for a hospital. The floor is terrazoed. Opposite these rooms are the porter's bedroom and the stores. The servants' room faces the kitchen. Then we come to the house surgeon's and the matron's dining-room. Across the corridor, on the south side, are the nurses' dining-room, the service-room, and the nurses' sitting-room.

Then we pass into the hospital proper, proceeding up a small flight of steps from the administrative department, and passing through folding doors to the first floor. On the left-hand side — that is the south side — is the children's ward, a large, well-lighted ward with 10 beds. Electric light is used, and open fires. The lavatories are directly off the ward, also the bathrooms, with tiled and terrazoed floors. Opposite these is the nurse's duty-room, having convenient connection with the ward, and having gas fires and being thoroughly furnished with necessary conveniences. Next to the lavatories and bathroom are the linen stores. Coming again into the central corridor, there is on the north side a day-room. On the south, a children's single ward leads on to an open balcony. Further on there are other doors which open from the corridor on to the balcony had lift. On the other side of the corridor there is the women's medical partment, sisters' room, and single ward. The housemaids' room is at the end the corridor. The men's medical department, with private ward and sisters' room, are on the south side of the corridor. Returning to the ground floor, we e to the isolation block, where there the men's and women's wards for any case suspected of fever. There are nurses' duty-rooms in connection with this. The men's surgical and women's surgical wards are on the ground floor, occupying corresponding positions to the .medical wards on the first floor. On the main corridor there is also situated lavatory accommodation. Doors open out on the south side on to the balcony. The operating room in connection with the surgical department is specially roofed with Chaunce's glass. It is fitted with radiators and electric light, and has all the modern arrangements. The walls are of glazed tiling-the bottom green-glazed, the top decorated white tiles. The operating room has doors opening on to the sterilising and anaesthetic rooms on the right, and has easy access to the X-rays department across the corridor. Passing through this room, we come to the out-patients' main entrance, which has convenient access to the waiting-hall, the consulting-room, the examination-room, and the surgery. On the other side of this suite are the dispensary and medicine room, the dentist's room, and the recovery room. The exit is from the medicine room, and then there is the lavatory accommodation for the out-patients on each side of the main entrance.

In the basement there is the store-room for house coals, the general store-room, the pipe duct which goes under the building from one part to another, with branches under the different wards, and with all the heating pipes. The electric switchboards are placed here, and also the motor room for the lift. An arrangement has been made by which the water from the main passes through a strainer to avoid sediment getting into the pipes. Other departments are the heating chamber for hot water and for the hot water pipes throughout the building. Outside in the grounds there is the electrical generating station and battery room. The 12-horse power engine, which works automatically, supplies the electric force for the building, including the lift and X-rays. Next to the electrical station is the accumulation room which serves it. Then there is the store room for the gardeners, and also the pathological room. The building opposite contains the post-mortem examination room and the mortuary. On the southern side of the hospital a tennis ground is going to be laid out. The lift is arranged to stop at any of the floors of the building, and is fitted with electric light.

DEMONSTRATION AND OPENING CEREMONY.

There was a hearty response to the invitations both specific and general issued by the hospital committee in connection with Wednesday's opening function. Members of the Legislature and of municipal and other public bodies from East, West, and South of the Island, Freemasons, members of the Oddfellows', Foresters', and Rechabite Friendly Societies, boy scouts, and school children all turned up to witness his Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor and Lady Raglan perform the leading parts in the ceremony; and all were edified, the arrangements being so admirable that there was no hitch in the proceedings. The opening had a strong Masonic flavour, Lord Raglan attending in his dual capacity of Governor of the Isle of Man and Provincial Grand Master of the Freemasons of the Isle of Man. His Excellency was well supported by his brethren of the Mystic Tie; the great majority of the officers of Provincial Grand Lodge attending him on the occasion, while there was a big gathering of members of craft lodges. All the Freemasons who attended officially wore their masonic clothing, the purple and gold collars and aprons of the officers of Provincial Grand Lodge having an effective foil in the modest yet becoming blue and silver of the brethren who had not reached provincial rank. The Provincial Grand standard and sword-bearers carried the emblems of their respective office. and a conspicuous feature of the procession was the volume of the Sacred Law borne by the Provincial Grand Chaplains. It is interesting to recall that the last previous occasion on which the Freemasons of the Island took part in a public function was the laying of the foundation stone of the Ramsey Cottage Hospital — another gift of the Noble's trustees. The general procession on Wednesday was marshalled at the Town Hall by Messrs A. B. Cuthbertson (Deputy Town Clerk) and GeorSt Robertson, while the Freemasons assembled and clothed in the Court House, and subsequently fell into their appointed place in the procession. The following was the order of the procession:-

Members of the police, including the mounted section.
Representatives of Friendly Societies. Douglas Trades and Labour Council. President and Council of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce.
Representatives of the Isle of Man Volunteers Representatives of tha Boy Scouts. Representatives of the Rocket Corps. Committee of the Isle of Man Licensed Victuallers' Association.
Committee of the Douglas Boarding-house Keepers' Association.
Committee of the Car-owners Association. Members of the Lifeboat committees of the Isle of Man.
Members of the general public and representatives of Public Companies. Representatives oI St John's Ambulance Society. Chairman and Committee of the House of Industry.
Chairman and Committee of the Isle of Man Industrial Home.
Chairman and Committee of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Chairman and Committee of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty& to Animals. Educational Authorities of the Island. Guardians of the Poor.
Town, Parish, and Village District Commissioners.
Mayor, Aldermen, and Town Councillors of Douglas.
The High-Bailiffs of Douglas and Ramsey, and the Captains of Parishes of the Island. Justices of the Peace of the Isle of Man. Clergy and Ministers of all Denominations. Officials of the Insular Government Boards. Legislative Council.
Speaker and Members of the House of Keys. Ramsey Hospital Committee.
Noble's Trustees.
Freemasons of the Isle of Man, in Masonic clothing. Lord Raglan, R.W. Provincial Grand Master of the Isle of Man.
Lady and gentlemen collectors, stall-holders and helpers (town and country).
Employees' Hospital Committee.
Ladies' Committees of the Nursing Associations of the various districts of the Island. Noble's Hospital Committee and the Medical staff.
The Isle of Man Medical Society.

The route from the Town Hall to the new hospital was by way of Great George's-street, Church-street, Upper Church-street, and Westmoreland-road. March music, supplied by the Isle of Man Volunteers and Douglas Town Bands, inspired the processionists and added to the enjoyment of the thousands of people who lined the route or viewed the page-antry from points of vantage. It is computed that about 4,500 school children were drawn up in ranks on either side of Upper Church-street and Westmoreland-road. These children were present at the invitation of Noble's Trustees, conveyed through the School Board of Douglas, and were in charge of their teachers. They were all cleanly and neatly attired, and presented a happy and healthy appearance. The following schools were represented:— Onchan, Braddan, Baldwin, Kewaigue, Tynwald-street (two departments), Hanover-street (three departments), Murray's-road (two departments), Athol-street (two departments), Park-road (one department), Demesne-road (one department), St. Mary's (two departments), and St. Thomas' (one department). Shortly before the arrival at the new hospital of the procession, Lady Raglan, accompanied by her three daughters and one of her sons, and attended by Mr B. E. Sargeaunt (Government Secretary), drove up in a motor car, and the party were con-ducted to the raised platform which had been erected in front of the main building. This platform was draped with Union Jacks, and was so placed that it commanded a good view of the assemblage. Once the procession arrived, no time was lost in proceeding with the ceremony, the general public being at once admitted within the Hospital curtilage to join the ticket-holders who had previously had entry. The Bishop of Sodor and Man (Dr Denton Thompson), at the call of the C'erk of the Rolls, chairman of the Hospital Committee and of Noble's Trustees, who presided. opened the for-malities by announcing the hymn, "Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old," which was devotionally sung to the accompaniment supplied by the Palace Orchestra (Mr Harry Wood, conductor). Then the Bishop offered the appointed prayers — (I) that God might enlighten the Hospital with His loving kindness, and grant unto its inmates the protection of His Divine Majesty; (2) for the doctors; and (3) for the matron and nurses. He also thanked Almighty God for His goodness, and concluded the supplications by leading in the general recital of the Lord's Prayer. The next portion of the programme consisted in the presentation by Miss Pantin, daughter of Dr Pantin, to Lady Raglan of a very beautiful bouquet, into the composition of which orchids largely entered. Miss Pantin, who was attired in nurse's costume, dropped a pretty curtsey as she made her floral offering to her Ladyship, and was graciously thanked for the gift.

The Clerk of the Rolls then said: I have now the honour, on behalf of the Hospital Committee, to request the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master (his Excellency Lord Raglan) and Lady Raglan to open the new Hospital. I request Mr Henman, the architect, and Mr Carine, the contractor, to present Lady Raglan with the necessary key to open the main door.

Mr Carine, in the course of a brief speech which could not be heard from the reporters' table, presented Lady Raglan with a gold key, chaste of design and admirable of workmanship, and suitably inscribed.

Mr Henman said: Right Worshipful Grand Master, the craftsmen having completed their work, and the builder having handed to me, as the architect, the key of this building, I am instructed by Noble's Trustees to ask your Excellency's acceptance of it and Lady Raglan's, wherewith to open the building.

The Lieut.-Governor and Lady Raglan accepted the key, with which her Ladyship at once proceeded to unlock the main door of the building, which was thrown open. Their Excellencies then returned to the platform.

The Clerk of the Rolls: I have now very great pleasure in asking Lady Raglan first to address you (applause).

Lady Raglan, who was received with applause, and who spoke very clearly, said; This magnificent new Hospital is now opened. May the glorious light of everlasting sunshine enter in and dwell there with those who are sick and suffering, and may it shed its lustre to give courage and joy to them, as well as to those who attend them. We have received this key with a very great deal of pleasure. It is a most lovely key, and will always be treasured by us as a souvenir of our most happy associations with Noble's Hospital. I thank Miss Pantin for my lovely bouquet (loud applause). The Clerk of the Rolls: You will now be very pleased to hear a speech from the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master (applause).

The Governor, who had a very cordial reception, said: Clerk of the Rolls, my Lord Bishop, ladies and gentlemen, Right Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Worshipful Masters, officers, and brethren,-It has been a great pleasure to Lady Raglan and myself to be here to-day, and to take part in so important a function; because I would like you to remember this is an exceedingly important function, for we have this day opened the very best hospital in the world (laughter and applause). Next week another hos-pital will be opened somewhere, I suppose, and that will then be the best, but for the moment this is the very best. I am sure you don't want a long speech from me, but I would like to say one word with regard to the Hospital. All of you know that we owe this Hospital to the benevolence of the late Mr H. B. Noble. Mr Noble, as you know, was the founder of the old Hospital, and he left in his will directions that sufficient money should be applied by his trustees either to improve the old Hospital or build a new one. Then we all know that Noble's Trustees have provided a large an enormous sum of money to build this new Hospital; but I would like you to also remember that they have not only given a great deal of money, but they have also given an immense amount of thought, an immense amount of care, and an immense amount of time to the arrangements; and the same remarks apply in almost equal degree to the committee of the Hospital, who are well-known to most of you, and whose names I will not therefore repeat. But that committee has given the very best attention and a great amount of time, and has gone into the utmost detail, so as to ensure that this building, when opened, will be the best of its sort and the best of its size, and have calculated to the best of their ability so that it may well carry out the purpose for which it, has been founded. I would like to say one other word before I finish, and it is this. The late Mr Noble's trustees the various helpers have done their part and it now remains for us to do our part, and that is to support to the best of our ability this very excellent and deserving charity (applause). If there is one thing in the world there is ii,-abota, it is that the claims of h -_ appeal to all. There is difference of opinion as to some other charities, -~ say we shouldn't give a penny to :: in the street, as it is a wrong thing to do, and I am afraid that we very often put the penny back in our pot (laughter)-but there is no difference to this question of hospitals. All c, and all sections of the community-I d know how many there are (laughter and all sorts of people, the old and young, the rich and the poor-they ought to do something, and can do some thing, for the Hospital. I therefoe appeal to you all, and especially to brethren in front of me, and whom it is a pleasure to me to see present at this function, on behalf of this institution (applause). It has been a very great pleasure to Lady Raglan and myself to be here this afternoon- (loud applause).

VOTES OF THANKS.

The Clerk of the Rolls called on the Lord Bishop to move a vote of thanks to Lord and Lady Raglan.

The Bishop, who was heartily greeted, said: Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, your Excellency, Lady Raglan, and my friends, — It gives me the greatest possible pleasure to propose a very hearty vote of thanks to his Excellency and Lady Raglan for the part they have taken in this day's proceedings. I am quite sure that no words of mine are necessary to express what I am sure will be the feeling most predominant in every part of this Island-we are proud and thankful to have at the head of the State his Excellency and Lady Raglan (applause). If there be one thing more characteristic of the Governor than another, it is the heart with which he does every work that is entrusted to him. You could not, for example, listen to him this afternoon without feeling that he is the proudest man in the Island, partly because, as he said, and rightly said, he is opening the best hospital in the world, and feels that the Isle of Man is in its right place in the van of all great movements for mankind (laughter and applause), but also because, as you hnow, his Excellency and Lady Raglan are conspicuous for the sympathy they manifest to all classes of the community, and net less to those who are deprived of health and are poor (applause). It gives me the greatest possible pleasure, brief though my speech must be for reasons which it is not advisable for me to explain, to submit this resolution to you, and I am sure you will all give it your warm support. We thank his Excellency and Lady Raglan for the part they have taken in the very interesting proceedings of to-day (applause).

Deemster Callow: Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master. Lady Raglan, worshipful brethren and brethren: I have great pleasure in seconding the motion. This is the first occasion upon which his Excellency has taken part in a function as Provincial Grand Master of the Island; and we ought to congratulate him on being appointed .to that high position. When I was a Mason I occupied the position of Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works. and the foundation of this work was duly laid. The work has been carried out by skilled masons, and is a credit. Looking at it from a Mason's point of view, it is still more suitable that the Provincial Grand Master should open it, because the institution was founded by charity, and has been supported for the last 52 years by charity, and if any body of men ought to be represented by the Grand Master, it is the Masons, whose watchword is charity. There are no lady Masons here, but at any rate Lady Raglan has set the Masons of the Isle of Man an excellent example. We thank her most sincerely for her presence here to-day, and for the gracious way in which she has opened the institution, and it only remains for us to show our appreciation by taking the part his Excellency has alluded to, and enable the hospital to be free of debt and enable the committee to use it to the best possible advantage (applause).

Cheers were then given for his Excellency and Lady Raglan.

Lord Raglan: On behalf of Lady Raglan and myself, I thank you for the very kind vote of thanks and the hearty cheers with which you have greeted us. It has given her ladyship and me great pleasure to be here this afternoon, and it has been a special pleasure to us to see my brethren here. Thank you all for the very kind words and for the way in which you have received this vote of thanks.

The Mayor (Ald. Wm. Joughin, J.P.) Your Excellency, Lady Raglan, your Honour, my Lord Bishop, and ladies and gentlemen, it gives me very much pleasure to move the vote of thanks put down in my name to the Noble's trustees. The trustees in giving this beautiful and well-equipped hospital to the Isle of Man, and endowing it with £20,000 have placed the Island under a great obligation of grati-tude, and not only that, but I feel sure that in this action, perhaps more than in any other act of theirs as trustees, they are carrying out what would have been the dearest wish of the late Mr Noble. I believe that the hospital ac-commodation now provided, which, as his Excellency has just mentioned is the most up-to-date in the world, will meet the needs of the Isle of Man for many genera-tions, and the endowment will not be relieving the generous public of continuing to support this great institution, but will still be sufficient a sum to relieve the committee from too great anxiety. Ladies and gentlemen, I have much pleasure in proposing the vote of thanks to the Noble's trustees for their generous gift (applause).

The Speaker of the House of Keys Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Keys: Chairman, ladies and gentlemen — It gives me great pleasure to second the vote of thanks. Our best thanks are due to Noble's trustees for the gift of this hospital and the endowment of £20,000. That is a lot of money, but it is not all that will be required. Something like £600 a year will be necessary to maintain the hospital, and I can only endorse the words of his Excellency, that we ought to continue to do our best to sup-port the institution. It won't do for us to say that because Noble's trustees have endowed the hospital we will withdraw our subscriptions. The expenses will be larger, and it is to be hoped there will be no complaint about vvithdraival of su-scriptions. In addition to this £20,000, the trustees have given us this handsome block of buildings on a handsome site, and they have made other gifts to the Isle of Man. As for this gift, I know of nothing in the records of the Isle of Man to compare with it (hear, hear). I never envied Noble's trustees in distributing the money. It has been a difficult task. The money of other people is harder to distribute than one's own. You can do what you like with your own. So many people seemed to think they had right to this money. I believe a large portion of time was taken up with declining, politely, suggestions for disposing of this money (laughter). Our confidence in the men who compose the trust has been more than sustained by the gifts made to the charit-able institutions of the Island. I am sure the Noble's trustees deserve every praise. I am glad to see some of them here to-day. It is hard to get held of them ; they spend so much of their time in the committee-room. Only three of them are present; one is away. It is very suspicious that the date of his holidays should have been so fixed, but we are very pleased one of them is going to speak to us-Mr Llewellyn Kneale (applause).

Dr T. A. Woods: Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Lady Raglan, ladies and gentlemen, — As senior honorary medical officer of Noble's Hospital, I have been called upon to support the vote of thanks to Noble's trustees. I have great pleasure in doing so. At one-time they came to the rescue of our old hospital, and at such a time as we urgently needed funds. They have now erected for us this splendid building, and I have no hesitation in saying it is second to no hospital in the United Kingdom for the number of its beds (hear, hear). I can assure you that not only the honorary staff, but also the matron and the devoted band of nurses, will as ever give of their best for the amelioration of the suffering of the sick poor of Douglas and the Island in general (applause).

The Mayor put the vote of thanks to the assembly, and it was carried with cheers. A cheer was also sent up for the trustee who is away, on the call of Governor.

Mr L. S. Kneale : Your Excellency, Lady Raglan, ladies and gentlemen behalf of the Noble's trustees. I thank you for the vote of thanks. We have always taken and will continue to take the greatest interest in the hospital, and we deeply grateful to you for the kindness in which the gift has been received (applause).

Mr R. Clucas (Noble's trustee) : Your Excellency , Lord. Raglan, ladies and gentlemen — It was not my intention to say a single word, but I have been pushed forward. I have simply to say that if the hospital committee are as pleased to receive the gift as Noble's trustees are to give it, we ought to be a very happy family (applause)

The High-Bailiff of Douglas and Castletown (Mr J. S. Gel]) : Mr Chairman. Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Lady Raglan, ladies and gentl-men — It is my happy privilege to be asked to wind up the proceedings with proposing a vote of thanks to the Clerk of the Rolls for presiding to-day. There are very few meetings which are not counted successes by the presence and the genial and kindly countenance of the Clerk of the Rolls. And while I thank him en behalf of you for presiding at the proceeding; to-day, we thank him exceedingly for the efforts he has made, and the ability he has displayed in bringing to a close, along with his colleagues, the establishment of this magnificent hospital in Douglas. From our hearts we who are here, and the whole community, thank the Clerk of the Rolls for what he has done. We beg to tender our warm thanks this afternoon (applause).

Mr D. Evans, J.P. (hospital treasurer) I have great pleasure in seconding the vote of thanks to the Clerk of the Rolls (applause).

The Clerk of the Rolls: Your Excellency, Lady Raglan, ladies and gentlemen — I thank you most sincerely for the way in which you have received and passed the vote of thanks to me as chair-man of Noble's trustees and the hospital committee. I am not going to conceal from you that the committee and trustees have not had an immense amount of detailed work to do in connection with carrying to its present state this handsome building. But I wish you to know that there is no doubt whatever that the endowment of £20,000 will not fully meet the additional expense incurred in carrying on this much larger building, and we look for increased support from the com munity. Your presence this afternoon is the best assurance of the deep interest that you as workers take in the good work carried on. I believe there is much enthusiasm in the work throughout the Island. It is with the greatest confidence that we look forward to funds being sup-plied to meet the needs of the hospital. Our thanks are due to the generous workers, especially Lady Raglan and the Press, and all these bands of ladies who in one way or another work devotedly as collectors and in other ways to help forward the funds of the institution. I am sorry that the 4,500 school children had to be hurried off to the playing fields. We must get hold of people young to take part in charitable and philanthropic work. Whatever expenses are incurred to-day in giving the children a holiday is more than compensated for by the work they have done in contributing to Lady Raglan's Cot Fund. Not only do we thank the children, but all those who help to carry on the work of the institution. I wish to recognise, on behalf of the committee, the very excellent work carried on by the staff employed in connection with the building.

The building is an excellent one. We are furnishing it appropriately, but the new furniture is not all here yet. Some of the old furniture has been taken from the present hospital. You will agree, when you see the different articles in the building to-day, that whilst we have not been extravagant, some substantial work has been done, and the furniture is fitting and good enough to serve the patients. We are often reminded of how the poor live. We ought to think of how they suffer and die. We are anxious that you should take this opportunity of going carefully through the different departments of this hospital. We want the poor to get rid of the idea that the hospital is not for them. There is no place where they could get better treatment than in Noble's Isle of Man Hospital. I would like to say one word in order to facilitate the inspection this afternoon. While one section of the company are sitting down to tea, which will be served in five of the rooms, the others can be making a tour of inspection. Everyone of you will be interested in the X-ray department.-His Honour proceeded to say that Dr Hall Edwardes would give talks on the X-ray apparatus at 5 o'clock and at 5-30 in the Noble's Hall. In conclusion, he thanked them on behalf of the trustees and the hospital committee for their attendance to-day (applause).

Concluding Proceedings at the Hospital Opening.

Large numbers of the general public remained to partake of tea, which was provided at the cost of one shilling each. Whilst the tea was being served, and the buildings were being inspected, the Palace orchestra (under Mr Harry Wood) rendered a number of instrumental selections.

The children from the schools in Douglas and district lined the route from the Town Hall to the hospital, and after the adult procession had filed past they formed in fours and proceeded to the Playing Fields, to the music of the Volunteer and the Douglas Town Bands, and the Boy Scouts' bugles. At the Recreation Ground they were generously feasted with fruit and cakes, and afterwards an improvised programme of games and races was carried out until six o'clock.

In the Villa Marina Grounds (by kind permission of the Mayor and Corporation of Douglas), three performances were given during the day by the Viennese Band and the Douglas Head Entertainers from 11-30 to 1, 3 to 5, and at 7-30 on behalf of the hospital, and as the result £29 was handed over to the institution.

In the evening Mr M. Carine (contractor) entertained 100 workmen, who had been engaged on the erection of the hospital to a knife and fork tea at Wilson's Restaurant. Speeches were made by Mr Carine and Mr J. E. Douglas (clerk of the works), which bore reference to the good workmanship which had been revealed during the course of the erection. Mr Carine also entertained the men to the evening concert at Villa Marina.

The finances obtained for the institution as the result of the opening function amounted to about £50.

INSTALLATION OF X-RAYS APPARATUS.

In a specially built room in the western wing of the new hospital has been placed a very complete and modern installation of the X-rays apparatus. It has been set up by Mr Alfred E. Dean, of London, and the plans were prepared by Dr Hall Edwards, one of the foremost men in this branch of medical science. Dr Edwards is a great enthusiast so far as the X-rays are concerned, and he is never happier than when he is explaining the wonderful composition of the apparatus and the powerful effects of working of the rays to the uninitiated. So far, indeed, has he given himself to this fascinating study that he has lost one arm and part of his other hand through exposure to the rays. He is very proud of the installation at the new hospital, which he says is quite as good as those of the leading hospitals throughout the United Kingdom. There is nothing which reveals the rapid advances which have been made in recent years in the treatment of delicate cases so much as the X-rays apparatus. It sets forth the far-reaching extent to which diagnosis of the most minute character has now attained. X-rays are formed by the passing of an electric spark through a vacuum — or, rather, through what is almost a vacuum, containing not more than a millionth volume of atmospheric air. When the spark is passed through the vacuum tube, a stream of what are known as " cathode" rays is produced from the negative pole of the circuit. The properties of these rays were first explained by Sir William Crooks about 20 years ago. When the stream of cathode rays is abruptly stopped by a piece of metal or other solid body, " X" rays are given out in all directions. These rays, as is well known, have an extraordinary penetrative power, and they can be so regulated and manipulated as to discover the presence of a bullet or other for matter in the body, or the seat of a facture or other abnormal condition. rays are also used for curative purposes with good effect, and are being increasingly resorted to in medicine and surgery. Photographs can be taken by the 'X' rays of any desired part of the body, by modern apparatus they can be produced in a few seconds, whereas formerly they required a considerable time. Dr Hall Edwards gave a demonstration the other day of the apparatus which has been installed under his direction at Noble's Hospital. One of the principal parts is the " transformer," which transforms the ordinary electric current, which is large in amount but of low pressure into a current which is small in amount but of exceedingly high pressure. For this purpose the current has to be interrupted and resumed at rapid intervals. An induction coil is used giving a spark of 6 inches in length, and a mercury jet projected by centrifugal force is employed, which carries the current. An ingenious electrolytic interrupts, which gives an almost uncountable number of breaks. A ray-proof screen is erected in front of this machinery to protect the operator. The bowl in which the " X" ray tubes are placed is also composed of lead glass. Two sets of apparatus are provided — one for the treatment of patients in a horizontal position, and the other perpendicular. Provision is made for determining with accuracy the position of the bullet or other abnormality, and for photographing it, without removing the patient. The quantity and character of the current — hard, soft, or medium an be regulated at the discretion of the operator, and there are automatic cut-offs which prevent any mischief that might result from ignorance or neglect on the part of any person in charge of the patient.

Dr Edwards gave two brief talks on the apparatus to large audiences in Noble's Hall on Thursday afternoon — at 5 and 5-30 o'clock He also gave practical demonstrations of the working of the apparatus in the room where it is located to members of the general public who inspected the buildings.