Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-10
THE NAVAL HOSPITAL,
Medical Director GihOn's Report of Its
Operation.

Just before his retirement Medical Direc-
tor Gihon made report to the surgeon
general of he navy in regard to the naval
hospital in this city. He said that the hos
pital Is well equipped and efficient
for all the purposes of such an institution
can be desired The twentyfour beds
for enlisted men and two for commissioned
officers, with a minimum of 400 cubic feet
of air space for each individual. he says,
are sufficient for the ordinary needs of the
station. In time of emergency, he says.
the capacity can be doubled without d-
minishing the air space by placing beds in
the two large rooms in the mansard, now
only used for microscopes and storage. Two
wards for the isolation of cases of con-
tagious diseases have been fitted in the
second story of the outlying stable and
carriage house.
The total number of cases treated at this
hospital since its establishment, October l,
1866, Is stated at 3065, Of which number
2,o23 were discharged to duty, 3l4 were
condemned by medical survey and lis died.
Over 81 per centum of the cases admitted
into the hospital since it's foundation have
been returned to duty; 10 per centum have
been inValided from the service by boards
of medical survey for disabilities uniting
them for further duty, and less than per
centum have terminated fatally.
Four of the typhoid cases originated at
the old barracks at the marine headquar-
tiers, and two at the navy yard, one on
board the Dolphin and the other on board
the Dale.
THE natural ventilation of this hospital"
says DR.. Glhon, t'andTits exposure to direct
sunlight by the large windows on all sides,
its elevation, and the unobstructed sweep
of the air fronfiw hatever quarter give it
urrivaled advantage in sanitary condi-
tons. 1t Is absolutely without hospital
odor or evidence appreciable to the smell
of the presercefef sick or other inmates,
who are as comfortably situated and as
tenderly cared for as is possible in pri-
waite house. The substitution of corrugated
rubber for coca mating as covering for
corridors and stairs has thus far proven
entirely satisfactory. The floors of the
wards are oiled, waXed and polished by
long handled, weighted 'frottoirs. after the
method in vogue IN Swiss and French
dwellings, and leave nothing to be desired
In the matter Of, cleanliness and appear
ance. IL
Il have to repeat my statement in my
last annual report, that the labor Of keep
ing the hospital (cleanI is much greater than
it would be We're the unpaved streets sur
rounding the reservation on E street south
and 9th and 10th streets east properly COW
cred with asphalt, as On the Pennsylvania
avenue front. These streets are sources of
dirt and discomfort, especially during the
season when the windows are kept open
and the prevailing southerly winds cover
the wards with dust The development of
several cases of malarial affection among
the inmates Of the hospital, including both
the medical officers and apothecary, shows
that the site is within the range of MAS
matte infection, but l doubt whether this
influence can be wholly escaped in any
quarter of this city. I beg to urge the ne
cessity for the organization of a corps of
regularly enlisted and uniformed attend
ants. for the better enforcement of the dis
cipline proper IN military establishment"