The times., 1901-04-28
HOSPITALS ON THE ROOF.
The Sanitary scheme of an Inspec-
tor in ChicagO.
CFrom the Chicago Record-HeraId.)

Nffom lhe JnlCago Record ltcfalu.)
Isolation wards for contagious diseases
on the roofs of fiat buildings the floral
cultivation of school yards and the blot
tlhg 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 Hortu."
AIr. Young believes in the city beautiful
hut 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 hourishng and
flowers in full bloom. He wants Chief
Ripley to get each member of the police
force 10 aid in the work OF beautifying
hack yards. and Chief Swenie has almost
been persuaded 10 offer similar prize TO
the iircmen.
But in connection with the betterment
OF living conditions in Chicago. Mr..
NOung'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 Of which would make
life more worth living. Take the many
fat buildings. fashionable or otherwise
where there is a big fat roof that is left
TO the mercy Of the sun during the SUM
mer. These fat roofs could be utilized
as gardens ana also as aids 10 Isolate con-
tagiOus and infectious diseases. Take in
a big fat building where a child is seized
with diphtheTia or 'drlet fcver or possi-
bly, smallpox. \ sign is exhibited and peo-
pie are warned away The parents pro-
test against the remOval Of Their chi dren
10 the hospital The best tA!ng to do
would be 70 erect a cottage on the roof
which ought to be converted into q gar
den. where a patient could be Isolated
just as well as in the no spital. and where
accommodations could oe provided for a
nurse, kitchen, and cook. The pa
tent could get the lest ar ard the pa
rents would be satisfied at 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 if
she IS once given a 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.
y am going to ask the elevated railroad
companies to aid in the work of supply
ing seeds. II manufacturers and propri-
etCTs Of the big dry goods houses were to
beautfying the city Chicago would soon
be able to point with pride 70 the motto
which declares that il is city IN a 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 gymnasiums 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 lnculcated Love of flowers be- !
speaks pure mind and a healthy body.
IT rs 50 easy % cover UP hideous |
structures with climbing vines and to |
make waste lots bloom that It will sur
prise me II many citizens do not take up
this part OF the clean city question by aid
ing to make Chicago a real garden city"