The actvity of the Society for the Incurably Ill in Warsaw (1897-1949). The work of Franciscan Sisters of Suffering in ”The Rabbit House” (Królikarnia) in Warsaw

Abstract

One of the urgent problems of health care in Warsaw in the late 19th century was the unresolved issue of people suffering from incurable diseases. The lack of appropriate facilities, where they could be taken care for, meant that they often died in poverty and terrible suffering. The appointment of the Society for the Incurably Ill was found to be a hope for those "unhappiest". Thanks to its activity, an organized system of care for these patients was created, which included: 3 hospitals, in which emergency medical assistance was provided, as well as material help for terminally sick patients; an institution for the incurably ill was established at Wspólna Street, later moved to “the Rabbit House” (Królikarnia), where people suffering from cancer were hospitalized. As part of the Society's activity, cancer patients were also helped in their family homes. Since the beginning of the Society for the Incurably Ill, one of the members of the Council of Guardians was the Foundress of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Suffering - Mother Kazimiera Gruszczyńska. Care for the sick was entrusted to her spiritual daughters - the Franciscan Sisters of Suffering. The sisters continued their service to the terminally ill under the care of the Society until the 1950’s, i.e. until the institution was finally nationalized and turned into internal medicine ward, as a branch of the hospital at Goszczyńskiego Street. At that time, terminally ill patients were transported to the hospital in Wyrozęby, while all the Franciscan sisters were dismissed from work. After the political transformation in 1989, the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Suffering regained the premises of “the Rabbit House” (Królikarnia) and acquired the ownership right to this property. Through the efforts of the sisters and donors the Nursing and Care House of St. Francis was built there for the elderly and the disabled, run by the Congregation.