Inpatients at the St. John's General Hospital: Morbidity in Late 19th-Century Newfoundland and Labrador

This research analyzes the role of the St. John's General Hospital in late nineteenth-century Newfoundland and Labrador using extant admission and discharge records from 17 May 1886 to 30 December 1899. Most individuals were discharged from the hospital as "cured" or "convalescent." Trauma, musculoskeletal issues, and respiratory diseases were the most common reasons for admission, with males significantly more likely to seek care for trauma, sexually transmitted infections, and kidney/bladder issues. Female inpatients were significantly more likely to be admitted for tumours/cancers, anemia, digestive issues, and issues concerning the female anatomy. Notable were the short hospital stays for tuberculosis, indicating the General played an important role before the founding of the St.John's Sanatorium.A snapshot of late nineteenth-century morbidity reveals the complex risks facing citizens of St. John's and beyond who sought care at the General, which played a key role in the rapidly modernizing medical ecosystem.