The Washington times., 1894-10-07
CONCERNS OF THE DISTRICT
Reports Of the Superintendent Of
Charities Examined.
SLIGHT INCREASE IN ESTIMATE
Value of Workhouse Labor as Shown by supt.
tenburgh-Attorney Thomas Opinion
as to the Power of the Commissioners to
Regulate Sweeping of Sidewalks.

The District Commissioners were engaged
yesterday in examining reports submitted by
the superintendent OF charities and in prepar-
ing estimates for the various reformatories,
hospitals, and other institutions under the
superinteEdent's charge. Col. Tracy was
present during the greater part of the after
noon, the hearing closing at o'clock.
The estimates, as stated last night. for main
tenance of the several institutions will be
slightly increased over the last appropriation,
but in general they will be substantially the
same.
Among other reports submitted was that Of
the Columbia Hospital, and the following
comparative statements are extracted: The
number OF patients in the hospital July l.,
1898, was 46; admitted during the year, 643;
total 10 be accounted for, $50. Discharged or
left during the year, GIG; died, 26; remaining
under treatment July l, 1894, AZ. The death
rate per cent. was 3.77. Daily average of
patients, 1888. Number of whites, 315; col
ored, 974.
Medical report-There were 372 patients to
be accounted for in the genealogical de-
partment. Number July l, 1898, %; ad-
mitted during the year, 347; discharged, 800;
died, 81; in hospital July !, 81. Operations
perrormed-Laporotom Cured. 67 re-
lieyed, -; unrelieved or incurable, /; died,
II; in hospital July /, 1894, 3; total, 102. In
obstetrical department there were in hospital
July /, 1898, 26. Patients treated during
year, go.
Dispensary report-Patients under treat
ment at date of last report, l43; number OF
patients received during year, 1.75S; total,
1901; cured, 296; relieved, 59l; unrelieved or
incIrable, 81; unknown (did not return), 30;
admitted from dispensary to hospital, 265
sent to other institutions, $50; under treat
ment at date Of this report, 162; prescriptions
compounded, 5,141.
James D. McChesney, treasurer, estimates
for the support and maintenance OF Columbia
Hospital for Women and Lying-in Hospital,
$4,000 Tor the year ending June 80, 1896.
AFFAIRS AT THE WASHINGTON ASYLUM.
Supt. Stoutenburgh. of the Washington
Asylum, also presented his report for the year,
in which he estimates for an appropriation OF
$50, 500 for the support of inmates, based
upon SOS to be supported at an annual cost Of
500 each; for the construction of a separate
room for colored men. 81 500; beds and bed
Z AlllS. gDDOs SGutIdl IcpdlTSr -D,UUU. 6tllHIlcS,
SIT .5SS and for the burial of INDECENT dead
SCI. Total appropriation asked for, SS3,-
3sS He recommends that a separate appro-
priation be made Of the last item or that the
service be transferred TO the health office,
where it seems to properly belong. During
the year there were 934 collins issued for the
paupers S34 on the order ofthe health officer
and 81 for burial OF persons in the institution.
No improvements have been attempted
during the year for want of funds. An in
crease in the number of officers is asked for
TO cover those on the temporary roll whose
services have been from time TO time re-
quired. the salaries having been paid out of
the contingent fund. The value of work
house labor, mainly employed on streets ad-
jacent to the markets, is placed at S39, ,45s.
Including the shops, laundry and sewing
rooms the total is S41, ,622.35. The amount
paid out for extra guards ana other service,
paid from contingent fund.- was S3,61339
The number of prisoners in the workhouse
July l, 1898, was 235; committed during year.
1851; recaptured, 81; total, 5,2l7. Discharged,
1880; escaped. Sc; died. s. Number remain
ing July 1. 1894, is 1913. The number in the
almshouse July l. 1898. was 154: received dur
ing the year, POI; total, 361. Discharged lS7
Number in almshouse Jaly l. 1894. is 174
Average number Of persons maintained, in
Guiding employees, 55S; cost per capita, Ssl.57:
cost, with attendance, per CAPITA $l05. 81
The appropriation last year was S45, 500: ex-
pended, S45, ,519. so; excess, 1880. A surplus
Of S8067 was left from salary appropriation.
DIR. BovEE's REMARKS.
DR. ]. ". Bovee, visiting physician. makes
the following observations: "The expense OF
maintenance has been practically the same
during the past two years. Notwithstanding
the increase in patients of more than 80 per
cent. This was due to lack of funds, and 1
earnestly hope you will endeavor to secure
larger appropriation. l have asked for an
increase in the pay of nurses to S15 per
month instead of So. No other hospital in
the city pays less than $40 for even pupil
nurses. and the inducements there must be
unusual. The number of nurses should be
increased by one, and each under the head
nurse should have $50 per annum.
The necessity for new ward for colored
males svery great. The present structure is
dilapidated and unfit for use. The new build
ing could be made of wood and to correspond
with the old one at q cost not to exceed
$4,000 The sanitary condition of the hos
pital has been very good, and we have been
very fortunate IN having SO few cases of con-
tagious diseases.
The number of patients in the hospital July
l, 1898. was 72; admitted during the year, S13;
births during year, IS; total SOB; patients dis
charged to June 50, 1894 1856; deaths, l04; re-
naming July l. 1894, 63.
SWEEPING OF SIDEWALKS.
Attorrev Thomas. in a letter to the Commits
sioners. in response to a communication