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In medieval Europe, many hospitals were founded by Christian religious orders such as the [[Knights of St. John]].

In medieval Europe, many hospitals were founded by Christian religious orders such as the [[Knights of St. John]].

In Florence, Italy, the most active period for hospital foundation beginning in the mid-thirteenth century was linked to population growth.  Specialized hospitals served a variety of different groups, such as women, religious pilgrims, the old, the destitute, etc. As civic authorites worried more and more about contageous diseases and epidemics, the priority shifted to the medical treatment of the sick poor. Most new hospitals were created by philanthropic local bankers and businessmen, but the city oversaw hospitals, perceiving them as socially useful institutions both for assisting and for controlling the poor. The number, size, and facilities of Florence's hospitals, and the beauty of their buildings, became a source of frequently expressed civic pride.

In Florence, Italy, the most active period for hospital foundation beginning in the mid-thirteenth century was linked to population growth.  Specialized hospitals served a variety of different groups, such as women, religious pilgrims, the old, the destitute, etc. As civic authorities worried more and more about contageous diseases and epidemics, the priority shifted to the medical treatment of the sick poor. Most new hospitals were created by philanthropic local bankers and businessmen, but the city oversaw hospitals, perceiving them as socially useful institutions both for assisting and for controlling the poor. The number, size, and facilities of Florence's hospitals, and the beauty of their buildings, became a source of frequently expressed civic pride.

==Modern times==

==Modern times==

After 1600 European hospitals were generally either an expansion of the local almshouse, or a place to isolate the ill during epidemics of smallpox, typhus, and plague.  

After 1600 European hospitals were generally either an expansion of the local almshouse, or a place to isolate the ill during epidemics of smallpox, typhus, and plague.  

==Early American hospitals==

==Early American hospitals==

In 1639, three Augustinian nuns from Dieppe, France, established North America's first hospital, the Hôtel-Dieu in Quebec City. It was originally set up to to care for (and isolate) the victims of a smallpox epidemic.  

In 1639, three Augustinian nuns from Dieppe, France, established North America's first hospital, the Hôtel-Dieu in Quebec City. It was originally set up to care for (and isolate) the victims of a smallpox epidemic.  

In the [[Thirteen Colonies]] that became the United States, almshouse infirmaries sometimes developed into public general hospitals (for example, Philadelphia General Hospital opened as the infirmary of an almshouse in 1732; Bellevue in New York began as the hospital ward of the public workhouse in 1736).   

In the [[Thirteen Colonies]] that became the United States, almshouse infirmaries sometimes developed into public general hospitals (for example, Philadelphia General Hospital opened as the infirmary of an almshouse in 1732; Bellevue in New York began as the hospital ward of the public workhouse in 1736).   

For three decades, the Taborian Hospital and the Friendship Clinic in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, provided quality medical care to thousands of poor blacks, without help from either the federal or state governments. Fraternal orders established both clinics in the 1940s as an alternative to [[Jim Crow]] humiliations. Ironically, segregation helped these establishments prosper by providing a ready market. By the 1960s, however, a combination of circumstances made this kind of "self-help" care unviable. Medicare and Medicaid, along with the demise of segregation, made it possible for poor Delta residents to choose health care facilities with more modern equipment. State regulations also became too burdensome for small, underfinanced facilities. Migration took its toll as well, as black families left the Delta for better opportunity in Memphis and Chicago.<ref>David T.  Beito, "Black Fraternal Hospitals in the Mississippi Delta, 1942-1967". ''Journal of Southern History'' 1999 65(1): 109-140. 0022-4642</ref>

For three decades, the Taborian Hospital and the Friendship Clinic in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, provided quality medical care to thousands of poor blacks, without help from either the federal or state governments. Fraternal orders established both clinics in the 1940s as an alternative to [[Jim Crow]] humiliations. Ironically, segregation helped these establishments prosper by providing a ready market. By the 1960s, however, a combination of circumstances made this kind of "self-help" care unviable. Medicare and Medicaid, along with the demise of segregation, made it possible for poor Delta residents to choose health care facilities with more modern equipment. State regulations also became too burdensome for small, underfinanced facilities. Migration took its toll as well, as black families left the Delta for better opportunity in Memphis and Chicago.<ref>David T.  Beito, "Black Fraternal Hospitals in the Mississippi Delta, 1942-1967". ''Journal of Southern History'' 1999 65(1): 109-140. 0022-4642</ref>

Today, many hospitals, including religious ones, are part of a chain; they are owned by corporations, non-profit organizations, and governmnet authorities. For example, the [[Bon Secours Health System]] is a non-profit organization operating [[Roman Catholic]] hospitals in seven states in the eastern U.S.

Today, many hospitals, including religious ones, are part of a chain; they are owned by corporations, non-profit organizations, and government authorities. For example, the [[Bon Secours Health System]] is a non-profit organization operating [[Roman Catholic]] hospitals in seven states in the eastern U.S.

===Childbirth and children===

===Childbirth and children===