Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-20
Annual Report Of the SurEeOn.in-
Chief
CASES OF ALCOHOLIsM-wHY THERE ARE so MANY
DEATHS FROM CONSUMPTION AT THE HOSPITAL

CASES OF ALCoHoLIsM-wHY THERE ARE so MANY
DEATHS FROM CONSUMPTION AT THE HOSPITAL
DR.. c. B. Purvis surgeon-in-chief of the Freed
mems hospital, has submitted to the Secretary Of
the Interior his annual report for the fiscal year
ending June Goth last. During the year the report
Says there have been /, 723 cases admitted to the
hospital and treated, 1021 were colored ZOE white.
OF the ccOred 500 were females, SIS males. OF the
white 81 were males, 125 females. The average
admissions were 125 9.12 per month. During the
year there were 176 deaths. Ninety-1ve surgical
operations were performed. They were uniformly
successful There were ~ cases Of confinement.
IN THIS connection" the report says, 81 will men
n the fact that dgrng the past S four there
not death has occurred there has not been case
Of puerperal fever. l attribute this absence OF
puerperal complications TO the strict observance OF
sanitary rules. The patients are kept scrupulotsly
clean In their persons and great attention is given
to the bedding, clothing and surroundings" About
215 eX-sOld ers have been admitted and treated
upon the recommendation OF the commissioner OF
pensions. The majority of the cases are admitted
upon The recommendation OF the Chief OF police.
ALCOHOLISM.
During the year "a persons were treated for con-
ditOnS arising froln alcoholism. For the past few
years applications for admission OF this class Of
cases have been steadily on the increase. All per-
sons applying have not been admitted DISTINCTION
Is made between those who really need medical
treatment and those who merely desire to remain
until the effect OF their debauchery wears off.
nature. there has been only one death resulting
from congestion Of the BRAIN This case was ne
elected prior to admission, and he had been
under the influence Of liquor for four months con-
tnu0Jsy. The medical treatment OF these cases
has been confined to meeting the various conditions
arising. SedativeS have generally been uSed slim
GlantS have been avoided. and only used when alb
Soiutely necessary In such cases we have yielded
our preiudice5 to judgment. The treatment
and management OF inehriate5 has long been a sub
ject OF discussion. As result OF his observations,
Dr. Furvis says, he Is OF the opinion that nebriate
nt,f yr..h Wlpn
son is diseased. bordering urCn mania-a-potu he
should be admitted to hospital and treated any
other patient. When the mind has become perma-
nently diseased the patient should be sent to an
insane asylum Other cases. resulting from habit,
desire AID general tendency TO :ebauchcry, should
be treated as cases OF misdcmelnor against the
community, and punishment should be Imposed,
not by hne. but by confinement, and the party
should he compelled to work to meet the expense
In the dispensary attached 1856 persons have
be- prescribed for during the year. There is quite
Il large humber OF persons in the community, the
report says, who avail themselves OF the benefits
OF the dtspcnsarles Of the city WHO are not really
deserving cases
ERYSiPEI.As AND CONSUMPTION.
The present capacity OF the hospital Is 300 beds
When necessity requires 1t the beds can easily be
increased TO 400 by utilizing the additional rooms
that are In the main building. Dr. Purvls thinks
the present number OF beds is sufficient To accom-
modatc all who are likely to need hospital care
ana treatment for a number OF years TO come.
During the year 16 cases or idiopathic erysipelas
so unusually large and the cases severe ones, the
doctor deems it best to call attention to them. ~
desire Also his report says, ITO call attention to
the number OF cases OF consumption There have
been 131 cases treated. or this number 20 died.
The treatment or these cases has not been SatSfac
tory. Very few apply for admission to the hospital
until their condition has become hopeless. The
majority OF the eases which come are from that
class which has been subjected TO the worst moral
ana physical Influences The disease q rule has
advanced too far TO be checked by the admnstra-
ton of physics Medicines do not accomplish much,
they act simply as palliatveS- Mental. moral and
physical hygiene VIII accomplish much more. One
o. the chief reasons why such small success follows
the treatment is the inability have control OF the
cases in their incipient foln and again, because
patents Will not remain under treatment after
they begin to feel better Contrary TO the practice
or most hospitals. keep these patients long as
possible and give them the advantage OF treat
n'nL'' The sanitary condition OF the institution
has been excellent. supplies FOR the hospital dur
IN the year were purchased for the first time
Under contract, ana the method has proved to De a
success one result being saving Of 5000 In sub
SlStEICG alone.