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 The
initial Board members had limited understanding
of the complex issues inherent in the operation
of a hospital even as a charitable institution.
As a result, incorporation was revised in
1856 with the appointment of 11 life governors,
one of whom was appointed by Queen's College.
The decade 1850-1860 included a number
of gradual but significant changes in the
hospital. The number of patients increased.
The development of the medical school led
to a changing public attitude toward the
hospital with an increasing number of paying
patients. The need for additional facilities
became evident toward the end of the decade.
A donation of $4,000 from Life Governor,
John Watkins, lead to the construction of
the Watkins Wing in 1862. This limestone
two storey wing provided smallpox wards
in the basement, four respectable wards
on the first floor and a surgery/lecture
room on the second floor.
The decade 1860-1870, saw a gradual increase
in the number of patients so that in 1868,
the Board described the hospital as crowded.
The quality of care was improving leading
the Board in 1870 to note with pride that
the hospital had the lowest death rate in
Ontario.
*NOTE: click on picture for
larger image
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Outstanding care, always.
