Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-12-22
Economy in Hospital Building.

The October number of the 4mericGn
Journal on insanity contains the discus
sion of DR.. Blackford's paper OH econ
omy in Hospital Building, read before
the association of medical superinten-
dents OF American institutions for the
insane, which met in Washington city
last May. Among the gentlemen who
discussed the paper was DR.. II. VI. Hurd,
superintendent Of Johns Hopkins Hos
pital, Baltimore. His remarks were
very complimentary to DIR. Blackboard
DR.. Hurd said:
Il wish to say word in defence to
DR.. Backford's building at Staunton,
Virginia. / went there sceptical as to
the possibility of building brick build
ings in the manner suggested i'll his re-
port at the price mentioned. came
back even more sceptical than went;
in other words, the buildings are so
well built and such models Of cheap
ness, am still troubled to know how
he succeeded in building them. | sug-
gesled that he must have stolen the
brick and lumber and got his carpenters
to work for nothing, but | am assured
that such is not the case.
Il believe, however, that one very
important factor in the erection of the
two buildings in the manner he has
described has been the fact that he has
utilized the labor of patients to an ex
tent which has never been done in any
building in this country for the insane.
The labor of excavation. and the man
ufacture of brick, were mostly done by
patients, The clay was dug and mix
ed by by the labor of patients, and the
bricks were moulded, handled, burned,
sorted, counted and delivered upon the
grounds by their assistance, which has
affected a material saving in the cost of
building.
Il know it is customary in reports
believe. in fact. L have used the eX-
preston myself-to say that in the en-
ployment of patients the creation of
income should not in any way be con-
sidered. | am disposed to think that
in the case of the chronic insane-those
patientswho are to live in institutions all
the rest of their lives, who are in good
bodily health, but whose minds are
feeble so that they must live under
guardianship and authority-it does no
harm to have these patients contribute
to their own support. In this respect
I am inclined to think that the creation
of income should not in any way be con-
sidered in the employment ofpatients
believe that every State institution for
the insane, containing large number
of the chronic class, is justified in Great
ing income from the labor of chronic
patients. OF course their labor should
be under medical control it should be
suited to the strength and capacity
of the patient, and it should be OF
such character that the patient can
do it with justice to his own strength
and in a way to promote his general
health believe that every institu-
ton owes it to the public and to itself
to employ patients in this way it can
be done without interfering with their
health and comfort.
II congratulate Dr. Blackford upon
having done more in this direction than
any other superintendent whom have
ever SEEN"
The paper was further discussed by
DR.. Andrews. of Buffalo State hospital
and by Dr. Godding, superintendent of
the government hospital in Washing
ton, d. C.-Hauaton Ne,es. : -.