First Aid to the Injured. 
Annual Report, 1882-83. ANNUAL REPORT 
OF THE 
Society for Instruction 
IN 
First Aid to the Injured. 
October, 1883. 
Published by Society^ 
1883. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE 
ON 
“FIRST AJD TO THE INJURED.” 
When the Committee on “ First Aid to the Injured” of the 
State Charities Aid Association presented its annual report 
to the Association in June, 1882, it was with the expectation 
that the forming of classes, suspended during the summer, 
would be resumed early in the succeeding October; but the 
execution of this plan was rendered impossible by the resig- 
nation of General McClellan, the Chairman of the Committee, 
of Mrs. Hobson, to whose untiring efforts the existence of 
the Committee was principally due, of Mrs. Griffin, Chair- 
man of the Sub-Committee on Lectures, of Mr, Stockwell, 
Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Railroad-Employees, 
of Miss Sands, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Dwellers 
in Tenement-houses, and of Miss Blodgett, the Committee’s 
efficient and most devoted Secretary. The Committee was 
for a time crippled by these losses, but ■at a meeting of the 
Executive, over which Dr. E. W. Lambert presided, it was 
decided that the success already attained had been so great 
as to render it imperative upon the remaining members of 
the Committee to put forth every possible effort for the con- 
tinuance and extension of the work. The Committee was 
accordingly re-organized with the Hon. John Jay as Chairman, 
Commander Henry H. Gorringe as Vice-Chairman, Mr. 
John Baton as Treasurer, Mr. John B. Pine as Secretary pro 
tem., Dr. Henry B. Sands as Medical Director, and Dr. 
Bowditch Morton as Medical Examiner. The formation of 
classes was at once commenced, and in a short time several 
courses of lectures were begun. 4 
The success of the previous year, which demonstrated 
the entire feasibility of the Committee’s plan of giving in- 
struction in first aid to the injured, and proved that a general 
desire for such information was felt, disclosed also the neces- 
sity of having a more complete organization to carry on the 
work. Accordingly the Committee, after consultation with 
and upon the advice of the Association (see Appendix), de- 
cided to become an independent body, and in February, 
1883, it organized as such, under the title of “ The Society 
for Instruction in First Aid to the Injured,” THE SOCIETY FOR INSTRUCTION IN FIRST 
AID TO THE INJURED. 
Officers and Standing Committees. 
Hon. John Jay, President. 
Commander H. H. Gorringe, Vice-President. 
John Paton, Chief Treasurer. 
John. B. Pine, Chief Secretary. 
Henry B. Sands, M. D., Medical Director. 
Managers. 
Mrs. William P. Griffin. 
Mrs. Henry A. Oakley. 
Mrs. Robert Hoe, Jr. 
Mrs, Julius Catlin, Jr. 
Mrs. B. H. Van Auken. 
Miss Eleanor Blodgett. 
Miss Gertrude L. Hoyt. 
Miss Emily Hoppin. 
E. W. Lambert, M. D. 
Bowditch Morton, M. D. 
Cornelius Vanderbilt. 
Charles H. Marshall. 
General William F. Smith. 
J. Hampden Robb. 
Medical Committee. 
Henry B. Sands, M. D., Chairman. 
Bowditch Morton, M. D., Secretary, 
E. W. Lambert, M. D. 
Richard Derby, M. D. 
William Wheelock, M. D. 
William T. Bull, M. D. 
Mrs. Julius Catlin, Jr. 
Finance Committee. 
John Paton, Chairman. 
William F. Bridge. 
James W. Pinchot. 
Cornelius C. Cuyler. 6 
Report of Chief Secretary. 
In thus organizing as an independent body the Society 
was to a great extent influenced by the wide-spread expres- 
sion of interest which the Committee’s labors had called 
forth, and by the belief that the general demand for instruc- 
tion in first aid to the injured could only be met by an asso- 
ciation prepared to establish branches throughout the 
country. To accomplish this the Society adopted a plan 
of organization which may be briefly stated as follows :—lt 
consists of a central body, and of branches ; the central body 
is composed of the officers and managers of the Society, 
and of representatives of the various branches, and is 
located in New York City. It is the business of this 
body to organize branches in the larger towns and cities, 
and detached classes in smaller places, to provide a syllabus 
of instruction, a code of rules for lectures and lecturers ; to 
issue certificates and to exercise a general supervision and 
control over the affairs of the Society. By this system of 
organization the Society obtains that united action which is 
best calculated to promote its object and at the same time 
each branch preserves its independence and exercises a com- 
plete control over its own affairs, subject only to such gen- 
eral regulations as are necessary to secure uniformity of 
action. The Society issues certificates to pupils passing the 
examination, and also furnishes the branches‘with circulars 
containing the syllabus of instruction, rules for lectures and 
lecturers, rules and blank reports for superintendents of 
classes, copies of the constitution and by-laws, and also, at 
cost price, with the “ Hand book of Instruction in First Aid 
to the Injured,” which has been issued by the Society, and, 
on similar terms, with the necessary appliances. 
An organization having been effected, the Society pro- 
ceeded to adopt the syllabus and system of instruction which 7 
had been followed by the Committee, and to form a branch 
in New York City for local purposes, a detailed report of which 
is appended. It will be seen from the foregoing statements 
that the formation of branches and the extension of the work 
occupied much of the attention of the Managers. The Com- 
mittee appointed by the Association had already made efforts 
in this direction in Boston and Philadelphia which resulted, 
during the winter, in the formation of classes. In the 
former city the classes were under the management 
of a Committee of the Women’s Industrial Union. 
The lectures were called “ Emergency Lectures,” but 
differed in no important respect from the “ First Aid ” lec- 
tures. The several classes which were formed were so 
largely attended and met with such success as to render it 
more than probable that the Committee will continue the 
lectures. In Philadelphia the movement was commenced 
■early in the winter by Dr. J. William White, of the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania, who delivered a series of lectures on 
“ First Aid ” to the police force with such marked results as 
to attract the attention of the Medical Committee of the 
Charity Organization Society. After investigating the sub- 
ject the Medical Committee proceeded to bring it before the 
public, and the mass meeting which was held in the Academy 
of Music for this purpose on the 30th of April last was, both 
on account of the number and social position of those pres- 
ent, the most signal expression of public approval which 
“ First Aid ” has received in this country. Several excel- 
lent papers were read explaining the meaning of “ First 
Aid ” and the system of giving instruction, but the most 
striking feature of these papers was the mass of quotations 
from the records of the various police stations of cases of 
relief rendered by members of the force, showing in what an 
astonishingly large number of instances the lectures delivered 
by Dr. White had resulted in the saving of life and the 
amelioration of suffering. The importance of the occasion 8 
may be judged by the numerous and lengthy articles which 
it called forth in the public press. The Committee propose 
to continue the work on a large scale, and during the coming 
winter a number of classes will be formed. 
In New Brunswick and Orange, New Jersey, classes have 
also been formed and several courses of lectures have been 
delivered. Through the efforts of Mrs. Catlin, a branch 
has also been organized at the Hampton Normal College, 
under the presidency of General Armstrong, but it has not 
been sufficiently long in operation to present a report. 
Other branches are in process of formation at Buffalo, 
Baltimore, Providence, Rochester and Newark. 
At the National Conference of Charities and Corrections, 
held in September last, the Society was ably represented 
by Mr, J. B. Kinkead and Mr. Robert Cochran, of Louisville, 
Kentucky, who brought the subject of “ First Aid” to the 
attention of the Conference. A paper, prepared by your 
Secretary, giving a detailed account of the Society, its origin 
and work, was read, and favorably received ; a very general 
interest in the subject being manifested by the delegates 
present. As the result of this, and of extensive correspond- 
ence which has been carried on during the summer, there is 
every reason to believe that branches may, within a short 
time, be formed at various points throughout the country. 
The Society is particularly desirous of forming branches 
in the mining, railroad and manufacturing districts. It is in 
such localities that the greatest number of accidents occurs, 
and that the greatest amount of suffering is caused by igno- 
rance. To individuals and corporations having a large num- 
ber of persons in their employ the Society appeals most 
earnestly for assistance in the furtherance of its work. 
JOHN B. PINE, 
Chief Secretary. NEW CITY BRANCH CENTRE 
Officers, Committees and Lecturers. 
Hon. John Jay, Chairman. 
Commander H. H Gorringe, Vice-Chairman. 
John Paton, Treasurer. 
John B. Pine, Secretary. 
Henry B. Sands, M. D., Medical Director. 
Bowditch Morton, M. D., Medical Examiner. 
Committees. 
Executive. 
Mrs. Robert Hoe, Jr. 
Mrs, Henry A. Oakley. 
Miss Eleanor Blodgett. 
Miss Gertrude L. Hoyt. 
Mrs. Julius Catlin, Jr. 
Mrs. B. H. Van Auken. 
William E. Wheelock, M 
Charles H. Marshall 
James W. Pryor. 
Medical. 
Henry B. Sands, M. D., Chairman. 
Bowditch Morton, M. D. Secretary. 
Richard H. Derby, M. D. 
William E. Wheelock, M. D. 
William T. Bull, M. D, 
Mrs. Julius Catlin, Jr. 
Finance. 
John Baton, Chairman 
William F. Bridge, 
James W. Pinchot, 
Cornelius C. Cuyler. On Women s Pay Classes. 
Miss Gertrude L. Hoyt, Chairman. 
Mrs. Henry A. Oakley, Secretary. 
Mrs. Brayton Ball, 
Miss Tuckerman, 
Miss Louisa Butler. 
On Women's Free Classes. 
Mrs. Julius Gatlin, Jr., 
Mrs. B. H. Van Auken, Chairman. 
Mrs. J. Dana Jones, 
Miss Emma Van Buren. 
On Men's Pay Classes. 
William Whitlock, Chairman. 
E. Austin Oothout, 
Bayard Tuckerman, 
Augustus Gurnee. 
On Policemen, Firemen and Railroad Employees. 
Com’d’r H. H. Gorringe, Chairman. 
Charles H. Marshall, Secretary. 
Gen. William F. Smith, 
James W. Pryor, 
J. Hampden Robb, 
Henry A. James. 
On Employees in Factories. 
Mrs. Robert Hoe., Jr., Chairman. 
Miss Hinton, Secretary. 
Mrs. John Vanderpoel, 
Stephen Hoe. 
On Workingmen's Clubs. 
John B. Pine. 11 
Lecturers. 
Dr. A. Blauvelt, 
Dr. Alice Brill, 
Dr. Holbrook Curtis, 
Dr. Louise Gerrard, 
Dr. Caspar Griswold, 
Dr. Beverley Livingston, 
Dr. Valentine Mott, 
Dr. Bowditch Morton, 
Dr. Adolph Rupp, 
Dr. C. Stone, 
Dr. J. A. Wells, 
Dr. E. T. Weed, 
Dr. John Warren, 
Dr. A. E. Nichols, 
Dr. Edward Peck, 
Dr. Charles W. Allen, 
Dr. William Seamans, 
Dr. W. H. Murray, 
Dr. Mary Bissell, 
Dr. C. Buffum, 
Dr. Gertrude Farwell, 
Dr. Frederic Gould, 
Dr. George Thomas Jackson, 
Dr. Wm, D. McKim, 
Dr. Robert Millbank, 
Dr. H. L. Norris, 
Dr. W. Ranney, 
Dr. W. H. Snow, 
Dr. D. Wisner, 
Dr. D. L. Woodbridge, 
Dr. J. West Roosevelt, 
Dr. Henry L. Taylor, 
Dr. Charles H. Brown, 
Dr. D. Emory Holman, 
Dr. W. F. Wright, 
Dr. S. D. Harrison, 
Dr. W. G. Thompson. 12 
Report of Secretary. 
The following is a statement of the Classes formed by 
this Branch during the winter of 1882-3 : 
Total number of Classes, 36 : 9 pay and 27 free. 
Women’s Classes—rB Classes: 6 Pay and 12 Free, 
Ladies - . - - - - 6 classes. 
Workingwomen - - - - 8 “ 
“ (colored) - - - 1 “ 
Teachers - - - - 1 “ 
“ (colored) - - - - - 1 “ 
Students - - - - - 1 “ 
Men’s Classes—lB Classes : 3 Pay and 15 Free. 
Gentlemen ----- 3 classes. 
Railroad employees (N. Y. C. and H. R. R. R.) - 2 “ 
Policemen - - - - 2 “ 
P'actory employees - - - - 2 “ 
Clerks - - - - - 1 “ 
Theological students - - - - 1 “ 
Workingmen - - - - 2 “ 
“ (colored) - - - - 1 “ 
Workingmen’s Clubs - - - 2 “ 
Employees in Delamater Iron Works - 1 “ 
“ “ Hoe Printing Press Works - 1 “ 
Number of pupils in free classes (men) - - 441 
“ “ “ (women) - - 349 
“ “ pay classes (men) - - 35 
“ “ “ (women) - - 170 
Total number of pupils in attendance - - 995 
During the winter of 1881-2 five hundred and forty 
pupils attended the Society’s lectures. During the past 
winter the number was nine hundred and ninety-five. So large an increase more than justifies the belief that “First 
Aid ” has grown in public esteem, a belief which is still 
further strengthened by the fact that all conditions of society, 
and nearly all the professions and trades have been repre- 
sented by the pupils composing the classes, and also by the 
fact that the Society received the support of the following 
churches ; Trinity, St. Paul’s, St. Chrysostom’s, St. Mark’s, 
St. Peter’s, St. Ann’s, Church of the Holy Communion, 
Church of the Reconciliation, Church of the Holy Apostles, 
DeWitt Memorial, the Madison Square Church, the Brick 
Church, and the Abyssinian Baptist Church. Nor are these 
the only reasons which the Society has for feeling that its 
work is appreciated. The increase in the percentage of 
pupils passing the examination, and the thorough and 
general comprehension of the subjects treated by the 
lectures, which, according to the report of the Medical 
Examiner, Dr. Morton, was manifested on the examinations, 
are in themselves most encouraging circumstances. 
The foregoing tabular statement, showing the number 
of classes, etc., is a complete summary of the local work 
accomplished by the Society during the past winter, but 
several of the classes deserve particular mention as being of 
special importance. First among these are the police classes. 
Ever since the Committee of the State Charities Aid Associa- 
tion began its labors, an opportunity for giving instruction to 
the police has been desired, and strenuous efforts have been 
made with that end in view, but not until last spring was 
a definite result obtained. At that time an order was issued 
by the Commissioners of Police directing attendance upon 
lectures, and two classes were formed of men from various 
precincts, meeting at the Central Office in Mulberry street. 
The lectures proved eminently satisfactory to the police 
officials, and on the final examination the members of the 
force who had attended the lectures evinced an intelligent 
understanding of the instruction which they had received. The Society, through its Vice-President, has received the 
assurance of the Superintendent of the Police Department, 
that during the coming winter all necessary arrangements 
will be made for the continuance of the lectures, and here- 
after regular and systematic instruction in “ First Aid” will 
be given to the police. The valuable service which has 
been rendered in London and other cities of Great Britain, 
as well as in Philadelphia, by the police, who have received 
instruction, has shown the great practical value of such train- 
ing, and if the “ First Aid” lectures delivered to the police 
of this city shall be received, as they have been by similar 
bodies elsewhere, they must inevitably result in the saving of 
many lives and the mitigation of much suffering. 
Next in importance to the establishment of the police 
classes is the introduction of “First Aid” among railroad 
employees, and in this direction the Society has made a 
very considerable advance during the past year. All the em- 
ployees of the New York Central Railroad in the Grand 
Central Depot have received instruction, as well as many of 
the men employed in the Thirtieth street Depot. The subject 
has also been brought to the attention of other railroads, and 
it is hoped that during the coming winter some of them may 
be induced to establish classes among their employees. 
The success of the classes organized by Mrs. Robert Hoe, Jr., 
and composed of men in the Hoe Printing Press Works, the 
Delamater Iron Works, and other large manufactories, has 
been very satisfactory. It is interesting to observe, also, that 
the classes composed of colored people, among whom “ First 
Aid,” was introduced through the active exertions of Mrs. 
Van Auken, have done remarkably well. In one instance, 
nineteen pupils out of a class of twenty-three obtained cer- 
tificates. As this is the first time that an attempt has been 
made to give instruction in “First Aid” to the colored 
race, the result is noteworthy. 
The classes have been too numerous and of too varied a 
character to permit of more detailed notice here, but of all it may be said that the attendance has been excellent, that 
the interest evoked by the lectures has been general and well 
sustained, and that the examinations, as a rule, indicated a 
thorough and practical knowledge of “ First Aid.” 
The success of the Society in organizing classes, is due to 
the efforts of the several Sub-Committees which have labored 
so indefatigably in bringing pupils together ; and for the 
admirable instruction which its pupils have received, the 
Society is indebted to the Medical Committee, its corps of 
lecturers, and especially to Dr. Bowditch Morton, who has 
acted as secretary of the Medical Committee, and at the 
same time performed the arduous duties of Medical Exam- 
iner. Without their assistance the work could not have been 
carried on, and for their volunteer services, so faithfully and 
ably rendered, the Society desires to express its appreciation 
and thanks. 
The report of the Treasurer, which is appended, indicates 
that the Society is in a satisfactory financial condition. One 
of the most gratifying features of the report, for which the 
Society has to thank Mrs. Oakley and Miss Hoyt of the Sub- 
Committee on Ladies’ Pay Classes, consists in the fact that 
during the past year the Society has been very nearly self- 
sustaining, almost three-fourths of its income being made up 
of the receipts from pay classes and from hand-books sold. 
The progress which has been made during the past 
winter towards the attainment of the Society’s end is dis- 
closed by the statements contained in this report, and its 
officers and members may reasonably regard the result as 
most satisfactory. The Society will begin the work of 
another season well organized, thoroughly established and 
with every prospect of continued success. 
All of which is respectfully submitted. 
JOHN B. PINE, 
Secretary. 
New York, October, 1883. Report of Medical Examiner. 
The examination of classes began on the 15th of Feb- 
ruary and ended on the 23d of May. During that time 
thirty-five classes were examined, each class, as a rule, being 
examined one week after the last lecture, at the same hour 
and place. The method of examination is to question each 
pupil as to the elementary principles of anatomy and the 
treatment of various accidents, and to test his or her 
practical knowledge. The average time occupied in examin- 
ing a class is two hours and a quarter. 
The members of pay classes have passed the best exam- 
inations, in several cases all those presenting themselves for 
examination having obtained certificates ; and a number of 
pupils in these classes evinced a knowledge of the subject of 
“ First Aid” which would not discredit a physician. The 
class of colored women teachers was as proficient as any of 
the season, and I may say here that all the classes composed 
of colored people did exceedingly well. Graded according to 
proficiency shown on examination, the other classes rank as 
follows ; women’s free classes, composed of young women ; 
police classes ; classes of employees in manufactories ; work- 
ingmen’s clubs ; and railroad employees. It is to be regretted 
that the number of pupils presenting themselves for exami- 
nation was not larger. 
Taken as a whole, the examinations were much more 
satisfactory than those of the previous year, and a much 
larger proportion obtained certificates; an improvement 
which is largely due to the fact that the instruction given by 
the lecturers has been of a more practical character than 
formerly. 17 
both sexes, examined and passed : 
The following statement shows the number of pupils,?of 
Number of classes examined - - - - 35 
Number of men examined - - - 186 
“ “ “ passed ----- 137 
“ “ women examined - - - 211 
“ “ “ passed - 161 
Total number examined - 397 
Total number passed - - - 298 
Respectfully submitted, 
Bowditch Morton, M. D. 
Medical Examiner. Report of Treasurer 
For the Year ending July ji, 188j. 
Receipts. 
Balance from last report $535 46 
Life memberships, subscriptions and donations, as per list 246 00 
Hand-books sold 191 95 
Received from pay classes 535 85 
Interest received from the Trust Company 2 98 
$1,512 24 
Life Memberships, Subscriptions and Donations. 
Cornelius Vanderbilt, life membership $5O 00 
F. W. Goddard, “ 50 00 
Hon. John Jay, “ 25 00 
J. W. Pinchot, “ 25 00 
Mrs. J, W., Pinchot, “ 25 00 
Charles H. Marshall, “ 25 00 
George C. Clark, “ 25 00 
Mrs. Brice 5 00 
Mrs. B. F. Corlies 5 00 
Miss S. L. Butler 5 00 
A. C. Gurnee 5 00 
Donation 1 00 
$246 00 
Disbursements. 
Printing, stationery and text books $535 80 
Postages and petty disbursements 239 82 
Medical appliances and materials 62 65 
Salaries and clerical services 260 67 
Rent 125 00 
Balance in the Metropolitan Trust Company 288 30 
$1,512 24 
New York, 9th August, 1883. 
J. PATON, Treasurer. 
Audited and found correct. 
Wm. F. Bridge, Auditor. APPENDIX. 
State Charities Aid Association. 
Mr. John B. Pine, Secretary of Committee on “ First Aid to 
the Injured 
Dear Sir.—ln response to the request of your Commit- 
tee for an expression of opinion on the part of the Associa- 
tion regarding the recommendation of the Board of Managers 
at its meeting, January 9, that the Committee on “ First 
Aid to the Injured ” become an independent body—somewhat 
similar to the Bellevue Training School for Nurses—the pro- 
posed Constitution and By-laws for the Committee were 
carefully considered by the members present, as detailed in 
the Secretary’s report. 
On motion of Miss Schuyler it was then 
Resolved, “ That the general plan of reorganization pro- 
posed by the Committee on ‘ First Aid to the Injured 5 in 
the report to this Association of February 12, 1883, receive 
the approval and indorsement of the Association.” 
For the Association. 
Ellen F. Terry, 
Secretary.