The record-union., 1891-04-11
HOSPITAL AND DISPENSARY.
Plans of the Proposed Addition to the
Courthouse.
Accommodations for Female Prisoners.
Insane Persons and Detained
Witnesses.

City Physician Nichols appeared before
the Board of Supervisors yesterday in
company with Sheriff Stanley and ex-
hibited plans for the proposed new City
and County Dispensary and County Jail
improvements.
1t will be remembered that several
days ago the Supervisors rescinded their
former action and decided that the inn
provements were necessary, and they
requested the Sheriff and City Physician
to give the board an idea of what was
needed, and of the probable cost of the
proposed improvements.
SADLY NEEDED.
DR.. Nichols, in addressing the board,
said that he and the Sheriff had had
several lengthy consultations, and had
finally agreed upon plans which, if car
ried out, would be a great help to both in
the exercise of their duties, and besides
would be filling long-felt want in the
county. 1t was proposed that the new
structure should be erected on portion
Of the present jail-yard, between the
Courthouse and the Hall of Records. 1t
would, according to the plans agreed
upon, be a two-story affair, with two
wings, meeting at right angles. The
front wing would face / street, and would
be the diSpensary building.
The lower floor of this wing would be
divided up into laboratory, operating
room, reception room, consultation room
and store room and wash room. This
floor would not connect with the prison.
The second story Of the dispensary
would, however, connect with the rear
building and would be fitted up with
cells for insane persons and detained wit
no on1 ICnll1 hn jn6pnnndnnt nf tho
prison proper.
woMEN's WARD.
The rear wing will contain two stories
also, but will be provided with base
ment which will be utilized as dining
room, in the place Of the miserable hole
now used for the chain-gang. The first
floor of this wing will be converted into
a Receiving Hospital, and will be well
lighted and ventilated, and provided with
five cots.
On the second story of the rear wing
will be situated department that has
long been needed in connection with the
County Jail-namely, a wOman'S ward.
At present there are no provisions or ac-
commodations at the jail for female pris-
oners, and they are compelled to mingle
with the male prisoners. According to
DR.. Nichols plans the women's ward will
be as far from the main prison as practi-
cable. Three cells for violent cases will
also be placed in the women'S ward.
The doctor estimated the cost of the
proposed new structure at between $4,000
and 81, 900.
WILL PROBABLY HAVE IT.
The Supervisors discussed the matter
when the doctor had finished talking,
and all seemed to be satisfied that the i'm
prOyements were very necessary.
Supervisor Bates, however, called at
tention TO the fact that the county would
sooner or later have to have new court
house, and he was afraid that the new
dispensary and hospital would be a
dead horse"
DIR. Nichols said that in all probability
the present courthouse would be turned
over to the city government when the
county moved out, and in that case the
dispensary and hospital would be just as
much needed, if not more so than at pres
ent.
Mr.. Jenkins was up in arms when a
suggestion was offered that money could
be taken from the hospital fund with
which to make the improvements. He is
Chairman of the Hospital Committee, and
he declared that inasmuch as it was in
tended to make improvements at the
hospital, not cent should be taken from
that fund for improvements elsewhere.
Chairman Greer remarked that the dis
pensary and Jail improvements were
needed far worse than those at the County
Hospital, and he would be in favor of let
ting the latter work wait for while.
After considerable debate on the sub
iect, it was agreed to accept the plans of
fered by DR.. Nichols and Sheriff Stanley
and take the matter under consideration.