The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-23
ON THE ISLAND.

THE GRAND JURY MAKE RAID ON BLACK
WELLS 1sLAND--A THOROUGH INSPECTION
MApE-rHE ALMsHousE BILL OF FARE--A
cREDrTABLE INSPECTION.
Blackwell's Island was visited yesterday by CON-
miltee OF the Grand Jury consisting OF McssrS X 5.
Hone Foreman; c. b. Kncavels, Theodosius Barlow.
j. j. Sinclair, Julius Catin, Jr., W. Haly Hudson and
Matthew Ryrncs. Accompanying these gentlemen
were several ladies' and gentlemen Of the State Board
Of Charities and ono or active In charitable work
not members Of the Board.
The meeting was an Informal one and entirely I'M
announced None Of the officials were aware o! the
intended visit and consequences tho inspection OF
the institutions was while everything in the
usual everyday order.
The inspection most thorough one, particular
attention being paid tho Almshouse and the Lunatic
ASYLUM Tho examination found the institutions IN
state reflected credit upon tho management, and
almost withou, exception tho reforms suggested by
tho visiting committee would be contingent upon an
Increased appropriation o; money
THE ALMsnousE.
The Almshousc first visited, was found in q fair
dtou, but needed reform In some matters. The first
ward visited was a room 60x24 feet and 10 feet in
height In this space were twcnty-four beds and
twenty people, two being Obliged to sleep on tho
floor The ventilation was not good, and calculation
made ON spot showed that there was but 5a3 cubic
feet of air Tor each person. In the blind ward i'm
mediatcly adjoining this, there werc twenty-tour
beds and twenty-five persons that both ate and
slept in the room. The faults IN ventilation in
the other ward were equally noticeable here. The
poor ycntiation II was conceded, was owing entirely
10 the faulty construction OF tee building which Is one
wards anu beds were OF excellent quality ana unn
suaIly clean. The ncurablc ward o.! tho A!mshousc,
one OIL the new buildings was especially noticeable Tor
its extreme cleanliness and perfect ventilation TWAS
but story in height with windows on each side IN
addition TO roof ventilators
The kitchen OF the Aimshouse, where food for GOO
persons is cooked daily, Was next visited ana u was
demned by the committee. rho warden oil the Aims
house joined the party and was exceedingly volube IN
his explanations. 1t evident that tho unexpected
arrival OF the jurymcn rather nonpussed him. though
II is due to MIN to say that no was most
anxious 10 show everything about HIS department
The following rs the bill OF iare for the week.
Breakfast every day, coffee, no milk, bread; sup
G anay an da Wsano,dav oa meal bread and
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, SOUP with a small
floating piece OF meat; Friday, boiled Goldfish with
potatoes Sunday, eight ounces OF meat roastod-cqua
to Jour ounces.
The Warden further stated that he received only
sufficient Tho bread ut the Amshouse, as indeed all
over the Island, was OF superior quality
ASYLUM
on the way to the Asylum the party suddenly came
across Commission Brennan, who was directing
gang Of men hard at work filing up an OLD quarry.
The Commissioner seemed exceedingly surprised at
seeing the visitors Ho accompanied them for some
little distance and then went back to his work. The
Asylum visited in every part, and the committee
were well pleased except IN the matter OF medical and
other attendance There 1900 women patients on
the Island. and Dr. Parsons, the Medical
superintendent Is the only paid physician
connected with the establishment. He is In conse
qucnce, in constant demand being worked night and
day. Tho proportion Of attendants Is about one 10
every twenty -eleht paentsin the opinion OF the CON-
mttee and tho medical gentlemen who accompanied
1t entirely too few. 1t s understood tina: tho commit
tee Will recommend change in this matter advocat
ing the engaging Of several assistant physicians on
salary and the employment Of moro attendants Tho
ASYLUM too is overcrowded, there being
l. 800 patients where there accommodation only for
936 The Commissioners trying 10 better this state
OF affairs by erection OF new buildings, but tho pa
tirnts may be constantly expected to Increase Tho
Workhouse Charity Hospital and Pententiary were
also visited and the result OF the trip will probably be
made public by tho Grand Jury. The inspection was
considered, on the whole, by the committee to be q
most satisfactory one