Evening star., 1900-10-12
Naval Hospital.

Naval Hospital.
The capacity of this hospital has been
practically increased during the year by
improving one side Of the attic story and
fitting it for the receipt of patients when
the lower wards are filed. This new ward
Is we'll supplied with windows, and is there
fore well lighted and ventilated. 1t has
floor space for at least twelve beds, and,
being situated at the top of the hospital,
has. in the absence of an isolation building,
distinct value in segregationg cases Of
contagious disease.
Numerous repairs and Improvements were
made in the steam, hot and cold water and
drainage systems.
The condition Of the streets of the city
Goth and E) adjacent to the hospital con-
tinues to be unsatisfactory, as the noise of
vehicles disturbs patients greatly, and the
dust at times is very Objectionable.
There has been a marked diminution in
the number of cases of contagious diseases
admitted to this hopital during the year,
but there We're seventeen cases of remit
tent fever and thirtyfive cases Of inter-
mittent fever received from the Washington
yard and marine headquarters They all
yielded to the proper administration Of
quinine. but the temperance Of the dis
ease among those returned to duty at the
navy yard was very frequent.
Navy Yard.
The influence Of the flats Of the Anacos-
tia river couples the most important place
in the consideration Of the health Of this
yard. which for some years now has been q
center Of malarial infection in the naval
service and In the Marine Corps. Men
placed on duty at this yard are afterward
sent to other shore stations or to ships,
where they from time to time have returns
of the fever resulting from infection at this
place. In 1898, from an average compile
ment of 1855 persons, there were 162 admit
ted to the sick list with malarial trouble:
in 1896 the complement was 1885, with 103
admissions; in 1897, 174, with 70 admissions;
In 1898, 2O3, with 73 admissions. and in
1899, 234. with "a admissions. In many the
disease reappeared from time to time at the
yard and during service elsewhere 1t 10.
however, worthy of note that the percent
ages have gradually decreased from 80 in
1895 to "a In 1899. The maximum was CO.
incident with the period when the fats
were disturbed by deepening the channel.
The intensity of the poison has diminished
each year during the interval Of quiescence.
Should an attempt be made to reclaim these
flats, it is more than probable that at first
the number Of cases in the yard and in all
that section would be greatly increased.
But undoubtedly the interests Of the SER
vice and Of the city demand the expendi-
necessary to remove such an extensive
cause Of sickness and distress.
The sanitary condition of the yard itself
has been improved during the year. Much
WORK mas oeeH uoHe 10 HI anu grace, 10
improve the sewerage system. and to re-
move all accumulations that might be
prejudcial to health. Large areas have
been paved and drained. and the question
OF the cleanliness and ventilation OF the
various shops has received close attention.
The work at the dispensary In this yard
Is necessarily more or less important, as
about 2,000 men are constantly employed in
the shops and accidents are more or less
frequent and at times serious. The nature
of the work performed is also such as to
render the question of surgical emergencies
one of prominence. 1t is therefore appar-
ent that the dispensary should not be
lacking in facilities for giving such frst-ajd