The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-28

HOSPITALS ON THE ROOF.
The Sanitary scheme of an Inspec-
tor in Chicago.


| Isolation wards for contagious diseases
on the roofs of fiat buildings, the floral
| cultivation of school yards and the blot
! ting out of hideous back yards with the
aid of vine and grass seeds, are among
/ the suggestions made by Andrew Young
chief sanitary inspector. IN his plan to
| make Chicago conform to the motto:
'Urbs in Horto."
Mr.. Young believes in the city beautiful
but he also looks at the matter from a
sanitary standpoint. The thirty sanitary
inspectors who are under his orders are
now wing with one another TO earn s.
prize he has offered for the prettiest block
in which each inspector lives The prize
is TO be awarded in three months when
vines are expected to be 1ourishing and
flowers in full bloom He wants Chief
Ripley to get each member of the police
force TO aid in the work of identifying
back yards. and Chief Swenie has almost
been persuaded to offer a similar prize to
the fircmen.
But in connection with the betterment
of living conditions in Chicago Mr..
Houng's plan for fiat building IS novel and
will probably command attention There
are many opportunities lying within reach
Of every citizen of Chicago" said Mr..
Young, the seizing cf which would make
life more worth liy!ag Take the many
fat buildings. fashiurabie or otherwise,
where there Is a big Hat roof that is left
TO the mercy Of the sun during the sum-
mer. These fiat roofs could be utilized
as gardens and also as aids TO isolate con-
tagious and infectious diseases Take In
a big fiat building. where 4 child Is seized
with diphtheIia or rdrlet fever or posi-
bly, smallpox 4 sign is exhibited and peo-
pie are warned away. The pelents pro-
test against the remoTal of their children
to the hospital. The best tang to do
would be to erect a cottage on the roof,
which ought to be converted into gar
den. where a patient could be isolated
just as we'll as in the hospital, and where
accommodations could oe provided for a
nurse, kitchen, and cook. The pa
tient could get the hest ar ard the pa
rents would be satisfied ct having their
child so near them.
There are many other opportunities in
Chicago to make the surroundings OF
homes beautiful. Ny object in Offering a
small prize to the sanitary inspectors is
TO stimulate a love for the beauty which
can be easily obtained by the planting Of
seeds and a little sprinkling Of water now
and then. Nature requires little help IL
she is once given chance to do some
thing. Ny inspectors are enthusiastic
over the project to plant climbing vines
along backyard fences. barns. hencoops,
and other structures that make backyards
an eyesore.
u am going to ask the elevated railroad
companies to aid in the work of supply
ing seeds. II manufacturers and propri-
etors Of the big dry goods houses were to
interest their employees in the work of
beautifying the city Chicago would soon
be able to point with pride TO the motto
which declares that It is a city In gar
den. Chicago is called The Garden city
but it has not earned the name of late
outside of it's splendid park system.
The school yards could also be made
things of beauty. Nowadays many of the
schools have gymna Sums SO that play
ground is really unnecessary. If the pres
ent Fairgrounds were turned into flower
gardens the pupils could get an idea of
color and harmony and the love of beauty
could be inculcated. Love of flowers be-
speaks pure mind and healthy body
1T is so easy to cover up hideous
structures with climbing vines and to
make waste lots bloom that It will sur
prise me If many citizens do not take up
this part OF the clean city question by aid
ing to make Chicago real garden city"