A true Report of the great Costs and Charges of the five Hospitals in the City of London: under the care of the Lord Mayor, Communalty and Citizens of London, in the maintenance of their great number of poore this present yeare 1649. as followeth.
CHildren kept and maintained at this present, at the Charge of Christs Hospitall in the said House, in divers places of this City and Subburbs, and with sundry Nurses in the Country—838
The names of all which are Registred in the Bookes kept in Christs Hospitall, there to be seene from what Parishes, and by what meanes they have beene from time to time admitted.
Children put forth Apprentices, discharged, and dead this yeare last past—64
In respect of the present troubles of the times (which hath continued for divers yeares last past) the meanes of the said Hospitall hath many wayes failed, (viz) for want of charitable Benevolences, which have formerly been given (by bountifull and well disposed Persons) which are now ceased, and likewise very few legacies are now given to the reliefe of Hospitals; Also the Rents and Revenues thereunto belonging, are and have beene very slackly and ill paid by the Tenants, who are not able to hold their Leases by reason of the severall Charges and Taxes laid upon them. Moreover the Children of the said Hospitall are not now imployed to doe their service at Burials as formerly (and frequently) they have beene, which was a great helpe towards their reliefe and maintenance: yet notwithstanding there hath been admitted into the said Hospitall within these three yeares last past 447 Children, by reason of these hard, miserable, and uncomfortable times, the great number of poore, distressed, and needy suiters, which number of Children now upon present charge, is more than the Hospitall is well able to maintaine, unlesse it please the Lord to raise further meanes, that the times become better, and charitie doe more increase.
THere hath beene Cured this yeare last past, at the Charge of S. Bartholomewes Hospitall, of maimed Souldiers, and other diseased persons, to the number of—985
Many whereof being Souldiers, have beene relieved with money, and other necessaries at their departure.
Buried this yeare after much Charge in their Sicknesse—162
Remaining under Cure, at this present, at the Charge of the said Hospitall—301
THere hath beene Cured at the Charge of S Thomas Hospitall, this yeare last past, of diseased persons, whereof a great number have been Souldiers, who have been relieved with money and other necessaries at their departure—780
Buried this yeare after much charge in the time of their sicknesse—118
Remaining under Cure, upon the charge of the said Hospitall at this present—223
THere hath been brought to the Hospitall of Bridewell, within the space of one whole yeare last past of wandering Souldiers, and other Vagrant people, to the number of—521
Many whereof have beene very chargeable to the said Hospitall, for Apparrell, sick dyet, and Surgery, besides the ordinary dyet, and other provisions and charges expended about them, which could not be avoided by reason of their necessities; and many of them have beene passed into their Countries, with Clothing and Apparrell to cover their nakednesse, which could not be otherwise considering their miseries, nor they thence passed without such charge. And there are now kept and maintained, in Arts and Occupations, and other severall works and labours, at the charge of the said Hospitall, Apprentices and other persons, to the number of—188
The Hospitall of Bethlem is of great Antiquity, use, and necessity, for keeping and curing distracted persons, who are of all other the most miserable, by reason of their wants, both for soule and body, and have no sense thereof.
The charge thereof is very great, there being kept and manintained with Physick, Dyet, and other reliefe, 52. distracted persons constantly at least, besides the charge of Servants to looke to them, they being most unruly and not able to helpe themselves; and the Rents and Revenues of the said Hospitall being very small, not amounting to two third parts of the yearely charge, and therefore this Hospitall is a fit object of charitie, there having beene of late by the blessing of God, upon the charge of the said Hospitall, and the care of those that are intrusted with the said distracted people, divers reduced to their former senses.