The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-04
THE HARVARD HOSPITAL.
A Model Institution Which Other Colleges
Would Do Well to Copy.


Would Do Well to Copy.
Boston Journal.
On the north side of Holiness field at
Harvard College is little one-story yellow
house which has often attracted attention,
contrasting as it does so strongly with the
large buildings which occupy the southern
portion of the field. This little building is
the college hospital, and, although small, it
is yet perfect in all its arrangements. In
1874 the authorities felt the need of an insti-
tuition of this sort in connection with the
college for twice in recent years the break
ing out of contagious disease had found
the college unprepared tor such an emer-
gency. In the first of these cases the pres-
dent had promptly thrown open his house to
the sick student and had placed him there
under the best of care. At the time of
the second case of sickness, in 1874,
the president was abroad, and his
house being vacant, was again put at the
disposal of the sick man. The liability of
such cases again occurring led to the erection
of the college hospital The hospital was
built under the direction of prominent physi-
clans, and is, accordingly, model in every
respect Like ali modern hospitals 1t is only
one story in height, that being found to be
the best for perfect ventilation and quick
heating There are two large rooms or wards
with two small rooms and bathrooms adjoin-
ing. By this arrangement two different
diseases can be treated here, and, if occasion
demands it, eight students can be accommo-
dated. In the basement is a kitchen, with a
cook-stove and all necessary utensils, laun-
dry and cloac@. The house is heated by
means of a furnace, and there are also
tireplaces in each large room. These
fires are always kept ready to be
lighted, so that at moments warming the
house can be warmed and made ready for oc-
cupants. Special beds and linen are kept for
use here, and, when the hospital is used, are
us.,s1f Il
danger from spread of the disease by this
means is avoided. Whenever a student is
taken sick with contagious disease he is inn
mediately taken to this hospital. To convey
him there the college possesses closed sedan
chair which is taken directly into the stu
dents room and then carried quickly across
the field and into the ward of the hospital
The i'll person is then at liberty to send for
his own physician and nurses-there being
no special college physieian-and if desired
his parents are at liberty to use the hospital
as their own house. In two cases of sickness
which have occurred this year the hospital
was SO used.
Beyond this provision of a perfectly ar
ranged hospital the college does not make,
and, indeed, scarcely could make, any fur
Their provision. If at any time more cases
of contagious sickness should occur than the
hospital could hold the college would be i'm
mediateiy closed. AS a fact, there has never
pSCh any dangerous mere uufIUS
the college year Seventy years ago, during
the summer, an epidemic OF typhodal dysen-
terry broke out among those students who
were still occupying the dormitories, and
several fatal cases occurred. Ofrecent years.
however, there have never been more than
two students i'll the hospital at the same
time and this freedom from spread of dis
ease is doubtless greatly due to the prompt
and successful care taken by the college au-
thorities
1t may furthermore be said that, although
the hospital is situated on the college
campus there is not the slightest danger of
the contagion spreading by reason of that
The building is thoroughly disinfected after
it has been occupied, and is then one of the
best domiciles, as far as sanitary arrange
ments are concerned, of the college. As a
matter of fact, the building has been twice
occupied as home Not long after it was
built student from Canada who had Just
married, was given permission to use the
hospital as q home, aad did so use it. The
other time was when Prof. Ko-Kun-Hua, the
Chinese professor, who had unexpectedly ar
rived in Cambridge before arrangements for
his accommodation had been made, was
given the use of the little yellow building
for himself and family.