Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-11-27
1.-THE Chi,dren,s Hos,i,al.,

Comparatively few of our citizens are aware
OF the energy and zeal displayed by the ladies
and gentlemen composing the management OF
this beautiful charity. Less than seven years
ago Its wards were opened for the reception CT
''lndgent sick children" at the corner of F
and 18th streets. Some time afterwards 1t was
removed to E, between sth and 9th streets. and
It's efficient work together with its economical
administration soon endeared it to all who had
any knowledge Of its beneficent operations.
1t is essentially home institution, and al
though Congress has not failed to recognize its
merits by various appropriations, yet these
tary contributions OF the hundreds OF b2naTu-
lent citizens whose hearts have been touched
with compassion and love for the poor little in
n0cents whose defOrmitieS. SufferinoS and dis
eases found remedy, relief and cure within its
hoSpitable walls.
SO great has been the hold of this exception
ally deserving charity upon the SympathieS of
those who have known of its benefits, that
many have not failed to provide for its support.
even when they shall have passed to a better
! world. Some Of these noble souls have already
departed, but not without remembering the
poor and helpless who should live after them.
Requests to this hospital were made by Mrs.
Andrews, Or. Thomas Miller, MI. Nicholas
Acker and Miss Wall.
About Is months ago the board OF directors
prrecating the fnadequacy OF the Old rented
building TO the comforts and needs of the
hospital, entered upon the enterprise OF con-
str,cting a hospital building that would BE-
adapted TO properly meet the increased demand
upon its already very poor accommodations
The ladies' OF the hospital anticipating such a
necessity had accumulated building fund, and
square OF ground between V and W and 18th
and 18th streets NV. had been purchased
Upon this square. fronting w street. has been
erected one OF the best hospitals for children
south Of Philadelphia. It is not costly edifce
Everything is plain and without effort al orla-
mentatlOn, but abOundS with ali tha5 goes to
make it fitted Tor its laudable purposes.
Tie plan OF its construction is il accordance
with the most approved system TO secure every
advantage that sanitary and hygienc science
could suggest, and issupplied with every need
that practical economy and comfort could dc
tate The main building, 50 feet square, is
three stories besides basement. Leading from
Its east side is corridor IS by 20 feet, in which
are located bathrooms, closets, conValeScent'S
dlhing-i00nS, ward, linen rooms and nurses
rooms. This corridor leads in the basement to
Tie dlspensary rooms, coal vaults. &c in the
main story to the surgical wards and in the
second story to the medical ward. The cDlTi-
uOrs to the wards are guarded by four sets Of
swinging doors which are thoroughly ventl-
Gd tfa oy strong currents of outside air, and one
one ward TO another III case such a source
should arise in any ward. so that in reality each
ward IS entirely isolated and complete in Itself
and has its own appointments Independent of
any other portion OF the building.
The wards are absolutely delightful, being 100
feet long by p feet wide, with ceiling Is feet
hlGh. and each has II large windows (noTth and
south.} and three windows forming a bow o.
wards the east. The two wards in the eastern
pavilion are capacitated for u beds each, Civ
ing therefore when all are occupied 800 cubic
feet 10 each little patient, and even when every
WlEdoW Is closed the Ycntiiat0Is are 50 alTln sel
as to afford constant renewal Of air through hot
and cold cir tlUeS. We have seldom Uttered
rooms which felt so free of any sensation OF close
ness, or which admitted so mucn OF GLORIOUS
sunshine and light, natural clements 50 essen
tial to ne ana health. On the second floor OF
tie main building are located the eye and ear
wards ana On the third the general wards
which are intended TO be located in the western
pavilion when it Shall have been bIilt These
are ventilated with the same care as are
tie main wards, and afford the same unre-
stfalned entrance OF sunshine, light aad air.
TIE kitchen, laundry, and store rooms are sit
uated in the basement OF the main building
The whole structure is heated by steam and ia
addition each room has a fire place SO that
open fires can when desirable be used instead
The plan OF its construction was based upon
the recommendations and suggestions OF Dr.
Billings. OF the surgeon Generals Office Who
has been long recognized as one OF the most
thorough investigators OF sanitary and hygie1ic
science, as relates especially to hospital con
structtons. These principles Mr.. Hardness. the
architect, has applied in so far as was needful
1of pIacucal utility in hospital OF this nature
ana IN accordance also with the limited means
at his disposal Both OF these gentlemen nave
given their talents generously and without anv
expectation or desire OF reward.
NltLai, "The Children'S Hospital" is an orna-
l4ent 10 our District, While it is q monument to
the benevolence OF its citizens OF course, this
has not been accomplished without constant
ehort on the part OF the board of lady visitors
and board OF directors. There is still debi Of
sl,5GG against the Hospital, nor has aDythinr as
yet been done towards Ornanenting or even
enclosing the grounds. TO assist in this and 80
Provide necessary furniture, as well as to meet
tHe increased current expenses OF the in5tiLu-
ton, the ladies intend holding donation plIty
Ii the new hospital building on Thank32iI inc
and the day following. the advertisements, OF
which VIII be found III another column. Let
every one who is able aud would have his or
re" heart glow with thanlfUlne5s, remember
The sick and disabled children, and either cary
CT send some Offering to this hospital.