Northwestern Dispensary

The Northwestern Dispensary was "founded under the auspices of the 'New York Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor'" [1] in 1852.

Funding for construction of a second building was part of the city budget.

[4] Like other dispensaries, one purpose was "to promptly, without charge .. every five years" vaccinate all residents of New York City against smallpox.

[5][6] The purpose of the hospital was to deal with the poor, yet "that they had no money" was the reason a doctor was not sent to deal with an age 60 immigrant who died for lack of medical attention.

The result was a jury verdict of "we censure the physicians of the Northwestern Dispensary, for their culpable negligence in not answering the call made upon them to attend the patient.