Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-10-15
The Matter of the w. C. O. Asylum.

FOR the 1nsufferable nuisance here complained
Of.
The Matter of the W. G. o. Asylum.
Editor Star:-Many readers of THE EVENING
STAR were painfully excited on reading the
quasi report OF the Health Officers exam!na-
ton Of the sanitary condition Of the W. C. o.
Asylum, given to the public in its issue of the
9th inst, the substance OF which was that the
Health Officer had madeline examination at the
request OF interested persons; that he found the
sewer gas pouring into the building causing the
death OF several its inmates recently; that
number OF the children were then down with
typhoid fever, and the wonder was why many
more had not died in consequence Of it. This
damaging statement having been given gratu-
1tously to the public through the press, and re-
naming, to this date, without correction by the
Health Officer, it becomes the duty OF the trus-
tees to correct it so far as that can now be
done.
on the 2sth of July last the first directress of
the asylum was notified by post, that the
Health Officer chad caused an Inspection of the
u,lding, and suggested that the water closet
and bathroom ed floor should be enclosed SO
nursery"
The Communication was referred to tie trus-
tees, who, on the I'd of August, through their
sec etary, duly and respectfully acknowledged
its reception, and also assured the Health Off.
Ger Of "their readiness to cooperate with him
to render the sanitary condition OF the orphan
Home faultless:" and, In order to secure this
desirable end, solicited Of him more specific
and practical Instructions as to ho,c he would
have the water closet and bathroom enclosed.
For more than two months the trustees have
waited for the coveted instructions, but In
vain, and in the meantime have endeavored to
execute with fidelity such of the suggested
improvements as about which there was no
doubts. Believing that the Health O11cer
would not designedly treat the trustees with
disrespect, and being Informed that the person
who made the examination admitted that he
could not detect the escape of any foul Odor
from the w. G: In question, they preferred to
conclude that the inspector now regarded the
enclosure as matter Of indifference. But by
THE STAR of the 9th instant and an official
paper simultaneously received, was informed
otherwise.
On inquiry at the institution, the undersigned
learned that the health officer with his assist
ant, perhaps, had called on the sth inst, just
when the matron with her family of one hun
dred and forty children and some Sympath!Zing
friends had assembled in the chapel to accord
the little orphan, who had died the day before,
looked in upon the scene for moment and
then required the matron to leave her sacred
trust Ia order to conduct him through his tour
OF inspection. DR.. Butler proceeded With the
funeral obsequieS and the little one was con-
signed to resting place In Graceland. In the
mean time the inspectors proceeded and, with
the exception Of the two doubtful closets con-
nected with the nurseries, spoke approvingly
OF all they saw-tbe dormitorles were pro-
nounced faultless-they also confessed. with
regard to the doubtful water-closets that they
could not detect any offensive odors escaping
therefrom; and further, they found every bed
vqeant; erery child hGring gone into the chapel:
from the published report.
The Institution has occupied the eligible
building at the corner OF 14th and streets
northwest for nearly three years and six
has enjoyed almost uninterrupted health, and
up to the present but three deaths have &C.
CURED. The first was Lad whose parents died
of consumption, and he himself, at the time OF
admission, was suffering from the same RENE
diess disease. Despite the most patient and
skilful nursing, the little fellow died August,
lsI6 June ISL, one Of the boys jumped upon
his heel, and, as we plain people say, died OF
locEjaw. The third and last death was that of
the little girl who died of typhoid fever on the
already noticed. One other case Of the fever
occurred some two months ago, but the case
responded readily to medical advice and skilful
nursing.
ty infants, from eighteen months to three
years old, occupying, from necessity as well as
convenience, apartments In close proximity to
the contraband water closets. Their constitu-
lions are uniformly embarrassed by scrofula,
yet in the presence OF the death dealing closets
they grow up strong and healthy-hOt one, as
yet, has been carried from the nursery to Grace.
land; while the child which died last week had
no connection whatever with the nursery, but
occupied bed In far off dormitory, pro-
nounced by the inspectors faultless.
as to hoe the isolation of the bathroom and
water closets from the nursery could be effect
ed satisfactorily to the inspector, the trustees
c coed with the best light they have. In the the
meantime-not waiting for the completion OF
the suggested improvements lady mama
gers and the trustees unite In extending
hearty invitation TO the patrons OF the inst1tu-
ton and the public generally to visit II, tn they
may see for themselves as to the sanitary con-
dition OF the building and the healthfulness Of
their family. Respectfully submitted,
JOHN G. HARDNESS,
Sec. Board OF Trustees,