The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-18
CITY HOSPITAL REPORT
DIR. sPENCER MAKES RECOMMENDA-
TIONs TO BOARD OF HEALTH.
Recommends New Penthouse for
Smallpox Patients-Death Rate
Very Low Last Year.

Superintendent NJ. J. Spencer, of the
City Hospital. fled his annual report for
1000 with the City Board OF Health yester-
cay afternoon. DR.. Spencer makes many
recommendations and sets out the needs
OF that institution. After thanking the
members Of the board, city controller and
members of the City Council for their CO.
operation and assistance in the manage
ment of the hospital the report says:
1.-The present superintendent succeeded
DR.. G.. III. c. Poucher Oct Is, 1900. The
past year has been the busiest In the his
tory of the institution. The total number of
patients admitted and treated was 1856,
an increase over the previous year OF $50.
There were 113 deaths, much lower death
rate than that OF 1899, the mortality for the
year being .057 per cent, / per cent. less
than the previous year.
1.-The surrent expenses for the year ap-
proximately were S34. 500 and the current
receipts for the year. including pay pa
tients and clinic tickets. amounted to ST.
3S1.g. The amount of liquors for the in
ssitution were: Alcohol. 40 gallons: whis-
ky, 80 gallons; wine, "a gallons. An effort
rs being made TO buy alcohol without the
tax. which would be a saving of about g
on each gallon.
CROWDED CONDITION.
1.-THE members OF the board are familiar
with the crowded conditions of the hos
to accommodate patients, there being no
rom In the wards for more beds. Under
the present crowded condition, with pa
tents sleeping in the Railways, 1t makes
the air very foul and consequently is in
furious to patients that are already sick.
i would recommend that If new building
Is erected that provision should be made
for a special ward for both male and fe-
male patients of a special class That class
or patients should not be allowed to asso-
ciate with other patients from moral as
well as sanitary point of view.
provisions should be made for a recep-
ton ward. That is, all patients that are
k,ought to the hospital should be taken 10
this ward and If necessary be given clean
clothing and q thorough bath before be-
Ing taken to the regular wards OF the hos
pital- II would also be much better If the
white and colored patients could have
"The present water supply is not suf-
ficient TO furnish water for the entire
building. A large main should be put in.
New stalls. sewerage and floors have been
but In the stable. which places IL in first
class condition. Two horses have been pur-
chased for the ambulance, which makes
that ali that can be desired. The engine
room and machinery under the supervi-
sion OF Chief Engineer Cox and his assist
ants are in hrst-class condition so far as
care Is concerned. Two of the boilers are
small and from long are nearly worn
r1cre modern ones. The new hot-water
heater that furnishes hot water for the
building Is entirely too small and should
be replaced. All the old beds and bedding
that have been In use for many years have
been discarded and new and modern beds
and bedding have been put in their place
So far as equipment Is concerned / would
say that i think that is all that can be
desired
OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
''The S1ndry has been well taken care
OF under the management OF ]. C. Crimins.
The storeroom and supplies for the wards
and kitchens under the management Of
Matron McNaughton are fairly looked
after. Mrs McNaughton is growing old
and the responsibility is very great for
one OF her age.
THE contagious pavilion has been trans
formed Into pesthouse. much. / think
10 the detriment OF the hospital. We have
no safe place now TO accommodate measles
dlphtheria and scarlet fever patients with
out more or less exposing other patients
10 the contagious. i would recommend that
the pesthoGse that Is owned by the CITY be
repaired or new one erected and all pa
tients with THAI dreaded and loathsome
disease smallpox. be taken there. The
pavilion after careful disinfectior and
fcmagation can soor be put in GOOD condI-
t'oa for again receiving contagious dis
eases"
DIR. Spencer also calls attention. TO the
good work OF the medical and nurse de-
partments OF the hospital.