AN
ADDRESS to the PUBLIC, 
F R O M 
The Directors of the General Lying-in-Hospital of Edinburgh. 
THE situation of Pregnant Women in indigent circumstances claims the attention of the 
Public in a peculiar manner. They are unable to procure proper assistance during child- 
bearing, and have not power to enjoy that undisturbed repose after delivery, which is often ne- 
cessary for their recovery; their offspring is therefore frequently lost, and their own health much 
impaired. 
With the view of obviating these evils, Lying-in-Hospitals have been establilhed in almost 
every enlightened nation, and have been found to be extensively beneficial. 
It is surprising, that, although the poor of Edinburgh are not in more comfortable situations 
than in other cities, subscriptions for erecting a Lying-in-Hoipital have been begun only within 
these few weeks. 
The proposals for such an institution, published by the Professor of Midwifery, having received 
the approbation of the Senatus Academicus of the University, and the aid of the Lord Provost, Ma- 
gistrates, and Town Council, and of the Royal College of Physicians, several benevolent individuals 
have concurred in promoting the design. A meeting of the subscribers was held, and the charge 
of carrying forward the establilhment was entrusted to Directors chosen by them. 
In the discharge of this duty, the Directors think it incumbent on them to make the nature of 
the institution as extensively known as possible, and, for that purpose, submit the following confide- 
rations to the attention of the Public. 
The principal object in the erection of this Hospital, is to establish a proper provision for the wives 
of the working poor, and to afford an asylum to the wives of Soldiers and Sailors, who, remote 
from their relations, and many of them from their country, are often, during pregnancy and 
child-bearing, in circumstances truly deplorable. 

That assistance is due or ought to be given to such patients alone would be an uncharitable 
opinion; and therefore the Directors have determined to extend the benefits of the General Lying- 
in Hospital to unmarried women also. 
Separate houses might, perhaps, with more propriety be allotted to them; but, as it is 
not probable that funds could be obtained for two Hospitals, the Directors have endeavoured, by pro- 
per regulations, to prevent any evils which might be supposed to arise from the admission of unmar- 
ried women. 
With these views, abandoned women will be totally excluded from the Hospital. The unmar- 
ried patients will be lodged in a part of the building unconnected with the wards appropriated to 
the married, entering by a separate door, and, if possible, from a different street; and no communi- 
cation shall be allowed between them. They shall be attended by Midwives alone, except when 
the assistance of the Physicians of the Hospital may be necessary. 
As the admission of certain pregnant unmarried women may thus, they trust, rescue many from de- 
spondency, and prevent the rash consequences of despair, or the unhappy effects of public infamy, 
so too the Directors look forward with satisfaction to the establishment of such a school for the in- 
struction of Midwives, who will by these means be qualified to save many valuable lives in every 
part of the country. 
Besides these two classes of women, the Directors have adopted regulations respecting unmarried 
women, in a condition somewhat better than those, to whom it may afford an opportunity of regain- 
ing reputation, by totally concealing their shame. 
The board which will be expected from such women will, they hope, lay the foundation for a fund 
which will enable them to extend the benefits of this institution to the wives of such tradesmen, &c. 
who, from the peculiar circumstances of their family, cannot leave their own houses, but who are ill 
able to procure the assistance and care which may be necessary to their recovery. 
A building, on a scale proportioned to the number of patients proposed in Dr Hamilton’s plan, ca- 
pable of being enlarged when the funds will allow, will be begun as soon as the weather is 
favourable. 
The recommendation of patients by subscribers will be preferred, in proportion to the amount, 
and according to the date of their subscriptions.  
The success of the General Lying-in Hospital, the Directors trust, will be equal to the impor- 
tant advantages which they hope it will afford to the large and useful portion of the community for 
which the charity is intended. | 
Edinburgh, Feb. 24. 1792,

GENERAL LYING-IN HOSPITAL.
WE agree to pay to the Treafurer chosen by the subscribers of the General Lying-in Hospital of 
Edinburgh, agreeably to the plan published by the Professor of Midwifery, the sums annexed to our 
respective names, for the purpose of carrying so necessary and charitable an establishment into exe- 
cution.