The Belfast Medical School

THE Belfast Medical School had its origin, a little over one hundred years ago, in the establishment of a public dispensary in West Street (off Smithfield), Belfast. The aim of this dispensary was not to found a medical school, that idea developed at a later date, but to " supply free medicine and free medical attendance to the indigent poor, and also to visit them in their homes when occasion required." The chief spiriE in opening the dispensary was James McDonnell, M.D., a native of the Antrim Glens, born in 1762. And this same man was destined to build, through this small dispensary, the foundations of the present Belfast Medical School, before his death on 5th April, 1845. The success of the dispensary was so great, that Dr. McDonnell initiated a movement to enlarge its activities, and found a public hospital. On 14th April, 1797, this scheme was proposed at a public meeting, and a committee formed for its realisation. The result of the activities of the committee was the opening of the first fever hospital in Ireland. This hospital was situated in Berry Street, in a house taken at a rental of £20 per annum. Six beds were installed, a nurse was appointed, and on 27th April of that year, the physicians and surgeons of the old public dispensary were asked to attend the new institution. Unfortunately, the finances of this small hospital were soon exhausted, and Dr. McDonnell and his colleagues developing typhus fever in the execution of their duty, the doors of the hospital were closed. In 1799, through the activities of Dr. McDonnell and the Rev. William Bristow, a sum of £113 was raised with the object of re-opening the hospital. A committee was appointed, and three houses were rented in West Street, near Smithfield, and furnished as a hospital, with Dr. McDonnell and Mr. Fuller as physician and surgeon respectively. The charity thus renewed its activities. This time there was no going backwards: the work of the hospital expanded, and in 1807 an Act of Parliament was passed which enabled the Irish counties to grant sums from public moneys for the maintenance of charities, and the hospital received from this source, in the year following, the sum of £193. 7s. 6d. The stability of the hospital was thus for the first time assured. But it was not until 1810 that the first decisive step was taken towards the erection of a building specially designed for the special needs of a hospital. A plot of ground was selected as a site in Frederick Street, a lease for which was obtained from the Marquess of Donegall, and a Building Fund inaugurated. The Building Fund rapidly grew in size, mainly from the collections made at special charity sermons, the popular method of raising funds in those days, and on 5th June, 1815, the foundation stone for the new hospital was laid by the