Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-06

HE THrNKs THE PRESENT SMALLPOX HOSPITAL
COULD BE BEST ADAPTED TO THE USES OF A
CONTAGIOUS DISEASE HOSPITAL WITH so,rx
REPAIRS AND ADDITIONS
The following letter was received by the Com
missioners today from the health officer:
The question OF the location or a site for the
contagious disease hospital has assumed such
proportions that / think il may be of interest
to quote letter prepared on the subject about
year ago. when complaint was made Of the
place where the present smallpox hospital is
situated.
SUI hold the views therein expressed that
the point mentioned is the most desirable for
the purpose The letter read as follows:
Examination Of the smallpox hospital. aiia-
cent to the District Jail, erected some years ero
on the site of the ruins Of the old building nut
there by order of the board of health in 1872.
has been made with a view to its repair and a.
to its adaptabilty for the reception and care of
patients should there be an outbreak of the
dread disease in the District Of Columbia
The structure, which has not been used for
several years Tor the purpose designed. with Q
capacity Tor nifty or sixty patients has lain idle
since the spring Of 1883. when the last case Of
smallpox disappeared from our midst A cur
sorry look at the establishment inside and out
shows the usual decay that occurs in ali build.
ings abandoned for SO long time. The roof.
weatherboards, floors and plastering are sadly
dilapidated. the porches and steps are re-
minders OF the adjuncts of that character of
ancient buildings in the eastern hem
lsphere so frequently described by tour
lists. But. even considering this condi-
ton OF the building. / think that IL
can be put in proper order for the reception of
patients at at least half the cost of cons ructon OF
new hospital. ] am not a carpenter or builder.
and. while / might make rough estimates of the
for fheoa n
would rather that the services OF the inspector
OF buildings, Capt Entwisle, should be called
into requisition 10 determine the expense Its
location for the purposes designed hardly
think can be surpassed anywhere in the District
OF Columbia. III we must have pest house.
what better place could there be selected? Its
situation Is not nearer than 400 10 500 feet from
the District jail, on public ground, facing a
river. with no likelihood Of dwellings being
erected in It's vicinity for years to come and the
danger OF contagion spreading from there is At
the minimum.
The construction OF such a hospital in any
other part Of the District adjoining or adjacent
TO private property. even if upon the utmost
bounds OF any portion OF the District, would
cause the same, il not greater complaint than
has been heard from the jail A brick yard il
nigh there, but hardly near enough, in nv
opinion, TO cause fear Of the few laborers there
employed contracting the disease from the un-
fortunates donlicIled therein. and certainly the
bricks will not suffer.
1.-Two large wards one for males. the other for
females, and some seven or eight smaller rooms
fo- Office, kitchen and other purposes are pro-
vided. and the structure throughout il properly
repaired. painted and cleansed IL admirably ar
ranged for the purpose originally intended and
i cannot see, as before stated, where O better
location can be found for the care of the
afflicted from this class OF diseases than there
Il would therefore recommend that an appro-
priatlon be urged for the purpose Of putting
this building in good condition on its present
site for the comfort OF those who calno< be
isolated and properly cared for at their homes
While cannot say that ! am in any way
Alarmed, nor think that we are threatened with
an early approach or visitation Of smallpox to
our capital. Yet believe precautionary meas
ures should be taken, with concern for the well
fare OF the unfortunates. as well as the people
who are liable TO come in contact with them il
not promptly removed TO the hospital Fur
Their. if we are not visited by this mAlady the
building. after being put in proper order, may
be utilized for the care OF those who are sick
with scarlet fever, diphtheria or other con-
tagious diseases requiring hospital treatment
and accommodations.
The grounds east Of the hospital, near the
river, and owned by the United States, could
be used for the establishment Of plant for the
disinfection, renovation or destruction Of bed
ding. clothing or other infected material"
The words contagious diseases" substituted
for smallpox" would cover the project nov
being agitated
Approach TO hospital at this site could be
had by land water. and whilo il is in the cor
porate limits Of the city, vet it ID and will prob
ably remain isolated for many years. recon-
mended speedy construction Of the necessary
buildings.
do not fear to express the opinion that an
establishment OF a hospital for contagious dis
eases. built scientific principles with isolated
wards for the various diseases, would be Of in
calculable benefit to the people of the District
Of Columbia should emergency arise for It's
use, and that far less danger Of the spread Of
such diseases would be apprehended, even TO
residents near by, than by the retention Of
patients in hotels, boarding houses and private
dwellings. Very respectfully,
c. NJ HAMMErr, NJ D., Health ofhcss.