Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-02

Total ......... ........9.5l2 Sc. $50. IA 90
The per capita cost OF buildings FOR the
nine hospitals is Sl,i2j
ST. Lawrence Hospital commenced as an
institution OF moderate cost. but, II
seems. although one of the latest. and
built with the help OF experience. has
been one OF the most expensive Of the
nine. costing per capita <2.l6e
IL is not TO be doubted that the build
ings Of the 81. Lawrence are handsome.
probably fire-proof, so-calied; that the
farm of about one thousand acres IL jul
dciously cultivated, and the grounds
In fact, that the whole institution is de-
cidedly an ornament TO the country. But
the question before the paymaster- public
is. Does it require these methods and
the expenditure OF millions to maintain
in comfort during the experiment OF cure
1,l00 afflicted persons?
Living, as do. in charge OF an in
stitution of more than three quarters the
capacity OF the st. Lawrence Hospital,
but provided With buildings designed
only with the object of supplying in a
moderately attractive shape accommo-
dations Of the most liberal size, Of solid
construction in brick, warmed and ven-
tilatedsin the most perfect manner and
surrounded with beautiful grounds. all OF
which things were obtained al a cost
differing so largely from the outlay at the
st. Lawrence Hospital as TO excite won
der. and to induce me. in the interest
Of the unfortunate beings under our care,
to declare that they need not be made
such a heavy charge on the public purse
In regard TO the annual expense OF
maintenance Of these nine hospitals. the
relation OF cost 90 the maintenance of
our hospital IS much Closer
The maintenance OF ~ New York
State hospitals Is quoted sl.767.27i. or
$3.50 per year for each patient. Our pa
tients in this hospital cost per year last
year,, sl37.35 per cspita-which included
clothing and absolutely everything for
their comfort in a county OF about the
same resources and consists OF about
the same dietary. with. perhaps. a more
liberal supply OF milk, butter and
butchers meat.
THE BUILDINGS
Coming now 70 a comparison OF the
buildings in which our patients are
lodged. and all the various demands for
them. for the employees. ana the work
Of the institution supplied. We have the
fact. that, as / said before. IN the last
eighteen years the capacity Of our hos
i'm accommodation for patients. resident
officers. and ALI employees. The plant OF
certain important services. as steam
heat and laundry. nave been renewed on
large scale, and the water supply
greatly increased and assured. We have
added fine. large paviions. with about
so beds. and added 10 the older buildings
enough to bring up the number to ST.
from little over 800. We have built
complete steam-plant. with brick Chin
ney OF 100 feet above the breechings. and
adjacent to the power-house. store-roOms.
workshop and lodging-rOoms for all the
employees OF that service. have laid new
connections to all the buildings. starting
through a large brick tunnel of about
go feet In length. We have new
laundry. ample In size and In machinery
for double our population, all new. and
capable Of from 5000 to 20,0O pieces per
week washing. To this building l.
residence house. TO contain all the accom-
mediation. including dining groom, for the
laundry-people We have built new
flights of cut-granite steps 10 the hume
rous terraces. and a freproof covered
way of considerable length. new gas
making works, and large additions 70
the minor buildings. such as coach-hOnse,
soap-boiIers shops, cold-storage. etc;
and We have spent on these works sl22.-
100 including in this sum a fair value
for the work done by the patients These
constructions do not constitute an entire
hospital We started TO make them with
half OF the grounds in a fair order and
with the roads. buildings, and enclosures
OF nearly seventy years ago. To replace
the buildings and partly the enclosures.
some OF which have become unnecessary.
and roads I'm use would require 1851 900
added 10 the former sum, and would
bring the total investment for the hos
pital. exclusive of the ground. to SIS. 900.
as estimated by our architect-less than
one eighth OF the cost OF the st. Law
renee Hospital. which is also without the
land.
OUR ECONOMY.
have prepared this paper solely with
the view Of informing the taxpayers
OF Virginia in regard 10 the comparative
cost of buildings for the accommodation
OF our insane with the cost of other
States. notably. New York. II will he
seen that both In construction and in
maintenance there is an unwaverng line
OF economy practiced. which reflects great
credit on the general management by the
Board OF Directors. who are the repre-
sentatives OF the people in charge OF
this hospital; and | have no doubt ii Is
the same with other insane hospitals OF
the State. which should be source of
conpratuiatioh -ather than Of fauIthnding.
BENJAMIN 9LACKFORD. NJ. d..
Medical Superintendent. Western State
Hospital
for Al ~ h.