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The nature and circumstances of the community
within which these health care developments
occurred is important. In 1815, Kingston
was a community of 3000; a population which
gradually increased over the next 50 years
to approximately 12,000. Society included
an upper class of government officials and
senior military personnel, a middle class
of merchants, shopkeepers, and tradesmen
and the urban poor. A large annual migration
occurred of immigrants from the United Kingdom
and elsewhere who settled in Lower Canada
or Upper Canada with many of the latter
passing through if not settling in the Midland
District. Many of these immigrants were
destitute and sick and represented a major
problem for this small community.
Sickness and particularly infections were
a constant problem in the community and
the immigrants. These infections were responsible
for loss of life with a high mortality among
infants, children and young adults. Smallpox,
measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria, pneumonia
and tuberculosis were endemic in the community.
Childbirth fever frequently led to the loss
of the mother after delivery.
Cholera epidemics occurred in 1832, 1834,
1849 and 1854. A major Typhus epidemic occurred
in 1847 (see related Media Release "Irish
Famine victims, caregivers honoured during
special ceremony"). These epidemics,
brought to Canada by the annual influx of
immigrants, had a devastating effect on
the community and the immigrants. The epidemic
would rage throughout the summer with a
growing number of deaths. Many lives were
lost in Kingston, the greatest number in
1847, when the deaths were estimated to
exceed 1400. Most community business was
completely stopped during these epidemics.
Traditionally, the care of the sick occurred
in the home. However the community recognized
and endeavoured to respond to the needs
of the destitute and sick urban poor and
immigrants. The Kingston Compassionate Society
operated from 1817 to 1821. The Female Benevolent
Society was established in 1820 and continued
to assist in the care of the destitute and
sick until 1847. A temporary hospital in
an old block house provided food, shelter
and free medical care between November and
May each year. This facility operated on
private donations of approximately $160
annually with occasional government grants.
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Outstanding care, always.
