The evening times., 1900-10-16
THE FREEDMAN's HOSPITAL.
Annual Report of DIR. 4. VI. Curtis,
the Surgeon-in-ChIef.

The annual report of the Freedmen s
Hospital to the Secretary OF the Interior
for the fiscal year ended June 30, has
just been issued DR.. A. NJ Curtis. Sur
geon-in-C Chief of the Hospital. in discuss
ing the present condition of the institu-
tion and its record during the past year
says
This year has been one of large &C
tivity and many improvements in the va
rious departments, thereby contributing
many blessings to the large number of pa
tients who have come from far and near
to secure the medical and surgical skill
afforded by this institution. In addition
to the fact that more patients have been
treated in the hospital and dispenSary
than during any previous year, it is also
notable that there have been more appli-
cants among young physicians from diff
ferent parts of the country for hospital
practice and experience than ever before.
These facts go to show that the young
colored physicians see more clearly the
value of the wide clinical fields afforded
at this institution.
The relatively large number of cases
of cancer is noticeable since the prevail
ing opinion has been that the descendants
of the African race were rarely affected
with the disease This increase of can
Ger cases among the colored people DR..
Curtis attributes to the environment incl
dent to American civilization.
Just at the close of the fiscal year an
appropriation was made by Congress of
SO zoo for repairs TO the buildings. Out
Of this fund all parts of the hospital are
now under process of general repairs.
DR.. Curtis recommends that an electric
light plant at a probable cost of 81, 900 be
substituted for gas An urgent request is
made for moderniZed buildings in the fol-
lowing language:
In my last report a pen picture was
presented describing in as forcible Ian
guage as ! could command the depressing
condition confronting the inmates who
have to be treated in such time-worn
structures and showing the urgent needs
for new and modern brick buildings This
necessity still exists. ] cannot add any
thing that will strengthen my former ap-
peals on this subject. Your intended re-
marks concerning this institution in your
last annual report to the President of the
United States, touching particularly the
need of new buildings, emphasized forci-
bly, the necessity of some immediate ac-
tion by Congress looking to the better
ment of this condition. It is necessary to
state in this connection that with the
able cooperation of the board of visitors
Of Freedman's HospitaI-the President
and Secretary of Howard University and
the Auditor Of the District of Columbia
it has been possibly for me to secure an
appropriation from Congress sufficient to
make some immediate and necessary re-
pairs. l desire TO reiterate the necessity
of meteorological and pathological Ia
bora tory. II has been demonstrated dur
ing the past year that such an adjunct is |
absolutely Indispensable in modern hos
oital work" Dr.. Curtis also strongly ad-
l1 tai JsrI,-,,
He advocates the maintenance of the hos
oital as a separate Institution under the |
absolute control of the Interior Depart |
nent.