The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-07

| Povihvn1 W DC raised say eight FEET rom the
GROUND, on structure OF masonry to be cay 100
feet long by 30 feet wde and to contain say thirty
peas: Inese buildings to be one story high, with
ridge ventliation Each pavilion must also have
connected with 1t q small executive building con.
tanning day room, nurses room and small recep-
t0n ana operating room. Also in connection with
| this executive building and separat ed from the
| ward would be the bathrooms and water Closets
| each other by basement corridor, the Ion Of
| which would be on level with the floor OF the
wards.
It will be seen that the improvements and adj
vantages aimed at in this plan in no sense
novel or untrled. IL can De shown rom the his
tory Of the hospital and the testimony OF its physl
clans that the necessity for every one or them has
more than once been brought to the notice of the
Commissioners OF Charities and Correction by
the physicians themselves.
Your committee learn from some OF the older
D aTa 10 81
Almshouse into hospital, the members OF the
Medical Board attempted to have the building
changed so as to improve It's sanitary cOndtlon,
and IN 1867, when their request was complied
with they urged the necessity OF having the closets
the nreplaces being Closed, bringing forward the
1act That the open fireplace Ia one OF the best modes
OF ventilation. At the same time they made Oh.
ections to having prisoners and paupers as nurses
two or three OF the Board mot Roman Catholics)
might be introduced as nurses.
Your committee are also glad to be informed that
for years past. especially since our late civil war;
the plan Of erecting pavilion wards, to be used in
treating all open wounds. sucn as compound lrac-
~. c..
from time TO time committees from the Board have
been appointed to urge the adoption OF improved
sanitary measures and the more enlightened treat
ment OF the sick poor.
These facts are the more important because
they encourage US to urge these changes upon the
Commissioners with renewed earnestness and 10
feel sure that, In doing 80, we may count upon the
cordial sympathy and unreserved cooperation OF
Your committee beg 10 state in conclusion that
they have no disposition to ignore the fact that
Bellevue Hospital with all its defects, is no worse
va yVn1
has moved your committee has not been desire
so much 10 show which OF certain existing hospi-
tails better or worse as to contrast Bellevue Hos
pttal as lifesavlng institution as 1t exists, with
what 1t migat be made. Says the author Of Notes
to enancase as the very Tst
Of hospital that 1t should do the sick no HARM"
And yet Is nevertheless necessary not merely to
lay down such principle but to insist upon its ap
plicatlon. If the most nequenfed refuge OF the
SICK 10 his great city Is VIGOROUSLY liable to the
suspicion that 1t does harm TO those who are
things demands immediate remedy. To procras.
disregard Of the We'll being Of the SICK nay our
absolute Indifference TO the value Of human life
An eyil recognized ana aGEnoWledged but unrem-
Left alone by those who most plainly and keenly
see. them, the grave defects Of charitable
as unimportant or tolerated as Inevitable. Nay
worse than this, the evil example develops an evil
ventilated, poison tainted hospital in New York
frequented by large numbers of young men FROM
ects and its injurious ana vet
see no evidence of q disposition to remedy those
detects, is something which WILL sooner or later
make itself hurtfully felt throughout the land.
Every consideration, therefore, OF mercy to the
sick and suffering, OF decent respect Tor the set.
tied conclusions OF the highest authorities, of
due regard for the influences OF representative
insttution-nay, every consideration OF common
justice and common humanity. unites in calling
for action IN this most important matter without
delay
All Of which Is respectfully submitted.
HENRY Z. POTTER, Chairman.
Elisha Harris, M. D. Gouverneur N. Smith.
G. r Agnew, M. d. M. ID.
William II. Van Buren,. Charles A. Joy.
Frederick Law Omsted. James W. Beekman.
George I. Strong. Howard Potter.
| Francis A. Stout. i. p. Morton.
| MISS h. Van Rensselaer,. Miss A. H. W0olsey.
| Mrs. Hartman Kuhn. Mrs. E. X. Hobs0n.
| Mrs. Henry A. Colt. Miss Gould.
Miss Il. +. Russell Mrs. Robert Woodwork.
Miss S. NJ. Van Amrtnge. J. M. HurtadO
E. KrackowitZer, NJ. d. Mrs. P. L. Van Reps-
| W. G. Wylie M. ID. selaer.
| A. b. Crosby, N. ID.