Misericórdia of Santa Cruz

The Boletim do Trabalho Industrial no. 95, which we have cited more than once already, contains a very interesting and, as far as possible, complete account of this Misericórdia (Holy House of Mercy, a lay charitable brotherhood), which we shall transcribe in full:

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It appears to be established that this charitable institution was founded at the beginning of the 16th century in the town (vila) of Santa Cruz (‘Holy Cross’), and that its own building was put up in the year 1520. Outside the city of Funchal, it is the most important establishment of its kind, and from its origin it was designed with ample accommodation in relation to the community it served.

Having been cared for and maintained, it still today (1920) provides hospital care to poor patients in reasonably comfortable conditions, something found in no other rural municipality (concelho) of the district.

Among the probable founders of this Hospital, established by the Holy House of Mercy (Santa Casa da Misericórdia) of Santa Cruz, the names cited as board brothers (irmãos mesários) of the highest standing are Manuel da Costa Moniz, José Bettencourt de Freitas, Diogo Lopes Fernandes, António Mendes Bettencourt, António Baptista Spínola and Marcos de Aragão.

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The building of this Misericórdia underwent major repairs in 1759, 1786 and 1892, at the expense of public charity, without which it would already have disappeared; and in 1908 it was repaired again by order and at the expense of the State.

This building consists of a two-storey house with a large chapel and many rooms, such as spacious wards, a room for the pharmacy, some other rooms, bathrooms, etc., as well as disinfection rooms and a mortuary.

Given the size and condition of the building, it could provide more and better hospital services if its income allowed. That income, however, is very meagre and goes a very short way unless public charity supplements it and comes regularly to its aid.

Thus the Misericórdia’s own income amounts to little more than 200 escudos (the Portuguese currency from 1911: 1 escudo = 100 centavos = 1,000 réis) a year, and it is evident that this sum, without the addition of public charitable aid, can go only a very short way, especially in view of the heavier costs that always arise from maintaining and running a building of such ample dimensions.

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This Misericórdia has statutes approved by the civil government building (Governo Civil) of Funchal in 1889. ‘In 1910 the management and performance of all internal and nursing services in the hospital of this Misericórdia were in the charge of the Franciscan hospitaller sisters, who gave good service there. They were the same sisters who improvised a hospital in the Lazareto de Gonçalo Aires (‘Gonçalo Aires quarantine hospital’), in the city of Funchal, during the last smallpox epidemic that ravaged Madeira.

After the service of these nuns was discontinued, the Misericórdia Hospital (Hospital da Misericórdia) continued to function under the direction of a managing board (mesa) elected from among the brethren of the Confraternity of St Elizabeth of Portugal. It was assisted by nursing and pharmacy staff who remained partly the same as before, but secularised.

The pharmacy services, however, were leased out, although the same dispensing staff employed by the Misericórdia continued in post.

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In 1913 the income of this Misericórdia was 1,034.68 escudos (the Portuguese currency from 1911: 1 escudo = 100 centavos = 1,000 réis), including a balance of 640 escudos from the previous year. Expenditure was of equal value and included the sum of 400 escudos spent on repairs to the Hospital chapel.

The staff of the establishment comprises a physician at 36 escudos, a clerk at 36 escudos and two nurses at 30 escudos each, all per year.

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In 1913 the hospital treated 14 patients, 6 men and 8 women, of whom 9 improved, 3 died and 2 remained under treatment. ‘From the above it can be seen that the services this hospital, or its Misericórdia, can provide are relatively small. Given the commendable conditions of its premises, however, it would well deserve effective support that would allow it to increase its admissions and the benefits it provides, and so better meet the growing needs of the community it serves, which is today one of the most important towns of the district, seat of a municipality and of a judicial district (comarca).