The times., 1899-04-12
NO ROOM FOR MORE PATIENTS.
Crowded Condition of the Washing
ton Asylum Hospital Relieved.

SrOWueu SCnuttfOu Oh the
ton Asylum Hospital Relieved.
DR. D. Percy Hiekling Visiting Physician
of the Washington Asylum Hospital, re-
Gently called the attention of District Com
missioner Ross to the crowded condition
of the wards of the institution, particularly
in the colored wards for males, to which
forty patients have been assigned, 3l-
though there are only accommodations for
twenty-five. The matter was fully con-
sidered by the Commissioners, and acting
upon recommendation offered by Engin-
eer Commissioner Beach, they agreed to a
suggestion that additional patients, Of
temporary character, be sent to private
hospitals receiving Government aid when
the accommodations of the Washington
Asylum Hospital are inadequate.
In calling the attention. of the Commits
sioners to the crowded condition OF the
hospital, DR. Hickling stated that it had
existed several times during the past three
months and resulted in much dissatisfied
tion TO the attendants as well as to the pal
tients. He recommended that the Conf
| missioners grant authority to refuse to ad-f
| nit any patient brought to the institution
when it-might be found. on examination by,
the Resident Physician, that the patient.
| could not be given treatment without det-.
riment to the other patients cared for at
the hospital also the right 10 refuse to
| admit. any. patient taken to the hospital
when the ward to which that patient should
he assigned is full. DIR. Hickling said that
| these rules would not be expected to ap-
ply in emergency cases.
He explained that the right to refuse pa
| tients under the conditions named is ex-
ercised by all other local hospitals. Dr.
| Hickling said that he was desirous of ad-
mitting for treatment at the hospital any
! person who is sick destitute, and proper
| charge upon the District. and stated fur
ther that his suggestion for an alteration
| of the rules of the institution did not
emanate from any desire to diminish the
usefulness of the hospital. But notwith-
standing these things he felt sure that
some restrictions should be provided until
proper means are afforded for the care of
| patients.
Commissioner Ross. who has immediate
| control over the hospital on the part of
the Commissioners, referred the matter to
| Sanitary officer ]. A Frank, who stated
| that in the absence of some other insti-
! tuition to care for aged sick who are affiict-
ed with chronic or incurable diseases, and
who cannot gain admittance 10 any other
| hospital save the Washington Asylum Hos
pital, he did not feel justified in concurring
| in the recommendations of DR.. Hickling.
| Herbert w. lewis, Superintendent of
| Charities, TO whom the matter was next
referred, reported in part as follows:
| Public provision for the protection of the help
| less and dependent should everywhere stand back
Of and supplement private provision Where pr-
vate resources fail public resources should be ap
| piled. The Washington Asylum Hospital now oc-
cupes its proper position and performs its proper
duty in furnishing relief for patients denied ad-
| mission elsewhere. The fact that it does its work
| at great inconvenience and that its efficiency is
| somewhat impaired by want of room and facii-
ties cannot justify refusal to receive patients COR
whom other provision is available.
Commissioner Wight endorsed the pa
pers as follows:
Regarding the suggestion OF DR.. Hickling. ]
am of the opinion that il is quite bad to crowd
| together people in a hospital it is TO refuse
admittance when the hospital accommodations are
| full. So long the Washington Asylum takes
| everybody who applies to it for admission. the
other hospitals will probably refuse admittance
| TO such patients as they do not want 10 take
| believe ii would be better to set limit to the
| Washington Asylum admissions and refuse ad-
mittance when the limit is reached, and in that
| way compel other hospitals which are receiving
! Government aid 10 receive patients who netd
| treatment
Commissioner Beach approved the pa
pers in the matter as follows:
1t seems to that it is not incumbent upon
private hospitals, receiving Government aid to
receive chronic cases. These should be sent 10
| the Washington Asylum Temporary should,
If possible, be sent 10 the other hospitals when
| the accommodations at the Washington Asylum
are filed. II the hospitals which they are
| then sent refuse to receive them, they should be
| then sent TO the Washington Asylum and report
made OF the case 10 the Commissioners by the
| Sanitary Officer.
Commissioner Ross approved the latter
recommendation.