The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-01
ST. ELIZABBTH'S ASYLUM
Attention of Congress Called TO
Necessary improvements.
Communi cntiOn From the Board of
Visitors to the Government Hos
to the Senate and Housc-More Ac-
commodationsN Needed for Patients.

The Secretary of the Treasury has trans
mitted to the Speaker of the House of
! Representatives a communication from the
| Secretary of the Interior enclosing a let
ter from the executive committee of the
Board of Visitors for the Government Hos
pital for the Insane calling attention to
| the necessity for certain extensions ard
| improvements at the hospital. and recon-
mending that appropriations therefor be
made.
II is set forth that the present number
of patients in the hospital is more than
/ 400 in excess of its actual capacity. The
! ratio of increase in the population Of the
I hospital annually, including patients and
! employees, is from 100 to 125. The Board
| of Visitors recite that lit is our opinion
/ that the present condition of overcrowding
| and the future requirements of the hos
! pital for greater accommodations demand
that immediate preparation should be
made looking 10 the necessities of the hos
piatl for at least ten to fifteen years in
the future, and that in pursuance of this
the extension should be made on sufficient
Continuing, the board says: We believe
that additional accommodations for not
less than 1000 patients should be imme-
diately provided for. By the time the nee
essary buildings can be constructed this
much additional room will be required,
and the hospital viii only then be enabled
to properly provide for the number of pa
tients demanding care.
To carry out these suggestions will re-
air Il 1arNI
ing site for the proposed buildings. 1t is
our suggestion that the present oppor-
tunity be embraced to construct a modern
hospital fer all classes Of acute insanity
on the most approved lines which have
been developed by recent experience in
asylum architecture and that the general
plan OF detached buildings especially
adapted to different classes be followed.
TEis Will then make possible the rear
rangement and reconstruction of the old
parts OF the present buildings and re-
grouping of the patients in a more salts
factory manner, separating to great ex-
tent the sexes and the races
We would respectfully recommend that
a tract of land suitable for the location of
twenty or mere cottages and hospital
buildings be procured. After looking over
the available territory carefully. and after
considering the special requirements of
prompt measures to meet the present de-
mands, We believe that the ridge of land
adjoining the present hospital grounds on
the west, embracing a tract of land 500
feet in width and extending from Nichols
Avenue on the, south to. the Anacostia
River on the north, with handsome out
look over the Potomac and the Anacostia
rivers, and with fine view of the entire
city Of Washington. presents the most de-
sirable features as a site for the proposed
extension
we would also respectfully suggest that
the Board of Visitors and the superintend-
ert be authorized to prepare plans. speci-
fications and estimates for an extension
of the hospital sufficient to provide for
1000 patients; said extension to be of fire
proof construction ard suitable for all spe-
cial classes Of acute insanity. and to in
clude all necessary domestic buildings and
all buildings required for the proper care
of LOCO patients and the requisite nurses
and employees: said plans. specifications,
and estimates to be approved by the hon
orable Secretary OF the Interior. and the
total cost of the buildings, machinery. and
equipment, including heating, lighting.
sewerage, and water supply, not to exceed
81 eco 0OG''