The San Francisco call., 1899-09-17
URGED TO JOIN IN THE
FIGHT FOR NEW HOSPITAL
THE PRESENT BUILDINGS REEK
WITH DISEASE.

The movement inaugurated by Dr. w.
B. Coffey of the Board of Health to Sc
cure the erection of a new City and Coun-
ty Hospital to replace the filthy, germ
infested buildings that now bear that IL
tie, has reached a stage where the united
efforts of all who have the slightest re-
gard for the health of the community are
requested TO induce the Board of Super
visors TO take such action will make
the building Of a new hospital possible by
providing money for that purpose in the
next tax levy.
In pursuance Of this idea, and in view of
the fact that Monday is the last day for
action by the Supervisors, DR.. Coffey yes
terday held conference with Health Of
ficer Lawlor, as a result of which 1t was
decided to send an appeal to all interested
bodies and individuals throughout the
city, urging them to use all their influence
with the Supervisors to secure the needed
appropriation. The following letter was
prepared and sent tc every minister in
the city by special messenger, to the Red
Cross, TO the Merchants Association the
Chamber of Commerce, the newspapers,
physicians, lawyers, and in fact to every
body who it was thought could be induced
to take an active interest in the move
ment:
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept Is, 1899.
The San Francisco Call, City-Dear Sirs:
There is an urgent effort being made to induce
the honorable Board OF. Supervisors to apprO-
pirate or provide the ways and means to have
constructed a new City and County Hospital,
to the end that the city may provide insti-
tuition for the care of the deserving poor, that
may be a credit to the municipality. Your
kind cooperation in the matter is earnestly
solicited, and the honorable Board of Health
TRUSTS you can see your way clear to give the
matter your support before the Board of Su-
pervisors at its next meeting, Monday. the
18th inst, at p. The Importance of the
above action at this time IS that at the meet
ing the 18th the subject of approprating
money for the proper conduct of the city gov
sidered.
For the past twenty-five years the City and
County Hospital has served as a refuge for
every known form Of disease. The institution
is saturated with filth and impregnated with
germs. The wards are menace TO the health
of the inmates. Over one-third OF the NOR
tality at this institution show that patients
who have been treated for bronchial and other
complaints have re-entered the hospital hav-
ing become in the meantime victims of tuber-
culosis consumption contracted during their
previous residence in the wards. The recent
severe illness of eight attending nurses with
typhoid fever and the death of one of the
fcient warning cry to this community to eradi-
cate this disgrace and ulcer from our midst.
BY order of the Board Of Health. Yours very
WILLIAM NJ. LAWLOR,
Health Officer.
E. B. CARROLL Secretary.
Dr. Coffey is in hope that the ministers
will recognize the urgency and Importance
of the matter and discuss the subject from
their pulpits to-day, or at least lend their
personal influence with the Supervisors TO
secure new hospital buildings. AS was
stated in the communication forwarded to
the Supervisors by the Board of Health
a day or two ago, the present City and
County Hospital buildings are unfit for
occupation, and If they are not replaced
will be condemned and the hospital closed.