The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-15
TOURING 4 PESlHOUSE
A Reporters Visit TO an Isolated
Chicago Hospital.
JourneyinE Through the Detention
ed to Touch Books, Papers. or Pa
tients-A Perfect System of Venti-
lation-The Grounds Bare of Trees.

Smallpox patients have a comfortabl,
refuge in the isolation hospital-Cooi
County's pesthouse. 1t is as agreeable a.
the circumstances will permit. Mere men
tion of variola, the sufferings undergon,
by the afflicted and the knowledge of dis
figuring scars, all tend TO make one shud
der at thought of such an Institution. Ii
1t. however, there is no confusion; every.
thing is quiet; there is no noise. Lack O
offensive odors surprises the visitor Ther,
is no dirt. 1ntruders are not tolerated
There is plenty of fresh air. Few com
plants are made by patients.
There is, however, no suitable place fo
conyalescents TO enjoy outdoor exercise 4
lack of reading matter and overworked at
PENDANTS furnish what little ground there
is for adverse criticism.
Two physicians attached to the health
department, accompanied by reporter fol-
the Daily News" visited the hospital a;
West Thirty-ffth Street and Lawndaie
Avenue the other day. The call was uneX-
pected by the hospital steward, so that no
exhibition arrangements had been made.
He saw things as they are and the fore
going were his conclusions. When the
party wss ready to star. the physician in
charge made certain enquiry:
Have you been vaccinated?'
''Twice!" was the reply.
Let me see the scars" These were
pronounced good" but as precau;ion it
was thought the subject should be revac-
cinated After the operation, the party
boarded a soutf-bound car and an hour
later reached the awe-inspiring building.
The impression made by the great stone
gates through which disease ridden pes MS
are hurried, can we'll be Imagined; knowi-
edge of certain immunity would not create
entire assurance. Fortunately the distance
to the administration building is stoit, ini
the visitor is soon within the psstilential
walls, otherwise he might yield to misgiv-
tngs and turn back. Once in the admins
tration building all doubts of your sur
SoundinGs are removed.
please step In here" A Sister of Mercy
holds open the door Of dressing-room,
were you are to remove your clothing snd
walking AGREES the hail into another room
don a hospital suit. You are then in
etructed not to touch books, .,spers, nor pa
tients. and the tour begins.
A broad hall, well ventilated, containing
palms and semi-tropical plants, leads to
the physicians quarters in the central
building; here are located the dispensary.
laboratory, and waiting rooms. From the
middle of this building all of the wards
can be seen. Down a hall TO the right are
the detention wards, which were first vis-
lted.
Here We detsin al suspected cases until
their nature is determined" explained ire
doctor. The divisions used for this purpose
are separated from the infectious wards
being in building by themselves At pres
emf 1t IL unoccupisd. but fifty to seventy
nve patients can be accommodated. care
ful inspection OF the bedding, rugs, furni-
ture, floor, baths, and lavatories revealed
ecrupulous cleanliness throughout.
Il should suppose where rooms were kept
closed this way germs would gather was
suggested. The hint SCENE, like al inspi-
ration. The sister smiled. I'VE have no
closed rooms here" she said leach is
aired and thoroughly cleaned each FAY"
They hooked II. Passing back through the
central building. the infectious wards were
visited.
Better not approach too close to the pa
tients. strangers sometimes worry them.
ono OF the doctors said. In the centre of
the women's ward stretched two rows of
enow-whits beds. Large windows. opening
on three sides and fitted with screens and
curtains. admitted curren; Of pure fresh
sir.
A small table. holding the medicines and
other articles Of the patient. stood beside
each bed. Here and there a rocking chair
could be seen. while rugs and stools were
scattered about. II would be difficult TO
conceive picture more orderly and clean,
everything Ia sight was spotless, and the
patients appeared TO be comfortable.
ters: between them sat their father. who
II seesvsrs& an6 was assisting in the
nursing. The yeung women were in a con-
TsiessAA stage and would be permitted 10 |
60 hofno u Q month.
They had light attacks" said the pby-
eician, as he exposed the arm of one. To |
Inc uninitiated ii looked natural. A few
small black specks were observed. which
was explained. marked the last OF the
scaling process. at which period the dis
ease is most infectious. When questioned
the young women expressed themselves as
oeihs well pleased with the treatment re-
ceiyed.
Theirs is sad story" remarked an at
tendant. 1--WE found the whole family
down with the smallpox and moved them
out mere. but We were too late to save the
brother. He died last week His was the
worst case We have had here"
In cots across the room were two little
giria. When the party stopped one of the
children raised up. Hello. doctor. / am
eieo you come I'm going home tomor-
row said she The voice could hardly he
neard- The doctor drew back The cover
ing.
10 she mulatto, doctor?" was asked.
Looks like it, doesn't she?'' he replied.
ne FACE was swollen TO almost twice its
natural size and was dark in color on ac
count OF the disease. wash had been
used TO allay the itching and a deposit of
E enaiky white color remained which
heightened the effect her appearance pro-
ducsd.
On the return to the central building
VISIT was made 10 the convalescent hall.
Several patients we're sitting about, read
ING newspapers and dilapidated looks.
ihey were bright and happy at the pros