Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-19
THE GOVERNMENTS INSANE
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE WORK OF
THE HOSPITAL.
The Patients From Military Life NUM-
bered 95S and From Civil Life LIS
-Institution Overcrowded.

The annual report of the board of visitors
of the Government Hospital for the Insane
which has been submitted to the Secretary
of the Interior, gives interesting sum-
mary of the work of that institution dur
ing the past year. On July 80, 1900, there
| were 2,O76 patients in the hospital, of which
number 1859 were men and AT were
women.
During the year patients were discharged
as follows: Recovered, 149; improved, 65;
unimproved, 13: not insane 2. There were
also deaths to the number of 1874.
OF the patients who remained in the hos
pital June 80, 1900, sos were from the army
1913 were from the navy, q were from the
marine hospital service, making a total of
95S from military life. OF the remaining
patients 916 were INDECENT from the District
of Columbia and 1874 transient from the
District of Columbia.
Sixty-six were United States convicts and
criminals and two We're private patients.
The total number from civil life LIS.
The total in the hospital June 30 was 1873
more than were there on the corresponding
day of the preceding year, showing consid-
eraby larger increase than the population
Of the institution has had during any pre-
vleuS year of its history.
improvements to the Institution.
During the past fiscal year many i'm
provements were made in the institution. A
sewer system from all parts of the nstitu-
ton to the river has been built, new en-
trance was made to the grounds from
Nichols avenue there were improvements
to the plumbing of the main building and
$4,000 were spent on similar work in the
old building
The net Increase in the accommodations
for patients by various changes was sixty
eight which had done much to relieve the
oyercroWded conditions.
Contracts have been let for the constrnc-
ton of central StOrehouSe for supplies,
&c, and for facilities for protection from
fire. Work will soon begin on the constrnc-
ton of switch from the Alexandria branch
of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to the
boiler house of the hospital
Plans have also been prepared for a
kitchen for the detached buildings $4,000;
for a 200-horse-power direct connected dy-
namo and engine, $4,000; for fire-proof
stairways for the relief building, $4,000; for
changing and renewing the cutters and
roof on relief building 5000, and for re-
newing plumbing and flre- pro or lavaeory
sections of old building. 100000
The overcrowded condition of the hospital
is commented on. There are 500 more pa
tients in the hospital, the report says, than
can comfortably be housed in 1t. Plans are
being prepared for housing 100 employees,
the exact location of this extension not
having been decided on.
The recommendation for the purchase Of
Wilson Park to add to the hospital grounds
is renewed. In the proposed extension OF the
hospital two hospitals will be arranged to
accommodate tuberculosis cases, so that
they may be isolated.
The injurious conditions arising from the
Anacostia flats are commented on, and a
strong recommendation is made for their
reclamation.
Appropriations Wanted.
For current expenses an appropria ton Of
s475 600 is wanted. For ordinary repairs
not less than s25,ooo will be required. The
chief appropriations required for improve
ments will be to carry on work of extension
authorized by Congress at its last session.
For rebuilding the stable at the hospital
| $45. 900 will be necessary: $4,000 will be
needed for electrical machinery, and 5000
for additional plumbing and fire-proofing.
| The grand total of appropriations required
! H.