Boston Lying-In Hospital (first) opens.

Founded by Dr. Walter Channing, it is located at 718 Washington Street. Its purpose is to care for “poor and deserving women during confinement” (“undeserving women” are treated at the House of Industry). The hospital moves to a new building (second) on East Springfield Street in 1855,* soon closes due to its inability to control puerperal fever, reopens on McLean Street (third) in 1873,* but closes often due to recurrent fever outbreaks. This prompts Dr. Marie Zakrzewska to declare that, where childbirth is concerned, “The humblest home is safer than the best hospital.” A new hospital (fourth) opens on Longwood Avenue in 1923,* merges with the Free Hospital for Women to become Boston Hospital for Women on May 2, 1966, and becomes part of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in 1980.