MERCY HOSPITAL
Located in Chicago and the first permanent hospital in the State chartered in 1847 or 1848 as the "Illinois General Hospital of the Lakes."
No steps were taken toward organization until 1850, when with a scanty fund scarcely exceeding $150, twelve beds were secured and placed on one floor of a boarding house whose proprietress was engaged as nurse and stewardess. Dr. N. S. Davis and Dr. Daniel Brainard were, respectively the first physician and surgeon in charge.
In 1851 the hospital was given in charge of the Sisters of Mercy who at once enlarged and improved the accommodations, and in 1852 changed its name to Mercy Hospital.
Three or four years later, a removal was made to a building previously occupied as an orphan asylum. Being the only public hospital in the city its wards were constantly overcrowded and in 1869 a more capacious and better arranged building was erected. This edifice it has continued to occupy, although many additions and improvements have been, and are still being, made.
The Sisters of Mercy own the grounds and buildings, and manage the nursing and all the domestic and financial affairs of the institution. The present medical staff (1896) consists of thirteen physicians and surgeons, besides three interns, or resident practitioners.