Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-16

incubation Of the disease to which they
have been exposed. At times 1t becomes
necessary to remove persons from houses
infected by such diseases to temporary
quarters in order to permit the infected
premises to be properly disinfected. Dur
Ing the recent years accommodations for
this purpose have been maintained by
rental. Such accommodations are, how
ever, not well adapted to the purposes for
which they are used. The need of suitable
buildings for the purposes above mentioned
has been increased during recent years, and
is still increasing. by the increase in the
number of people living In apartment
houses, the quarantining of suspects and
others in such buildings involving more or
less danger to the other inmates. The Dis
trict should construct suitable isolation
buildings so that proper accommodations
will always be available.
THE general plan for the proposed isolat
ing buildings, which would insure the great
est amount OF privacy to the inmates with
the greatest economy of construction and
administration, would resemble more or
less closely the plan Of certain buildings
erected by the Washington Sanitary and
Improvement Company. Eight such build
ings, erected several years ago, cost ap-
proXimately $4,000. This amount there
fore, has been fixed as the approximate
cost of constructing and equipping the pro-
posed isolating buildings.
Municipal Hospital.
"It is recommended that an item be in
cluded in the appropriation bill about to be
prepared to provide for the construction Of
so much Of the proposed municipal hospital
as is needed for present use. An estimate
of the amount which can, in the Judgment
of the architect, be expended advantageously
during the coming year Is submitted in the
accompanying letter from him.
1T is recommended that an item be in
cluded in the appropriation bill about to be
prepared for the purchase of a site and for
nr,d afar,-
ance Of one or more public bath houses.
These are, in the judgment OF the health
department, necessary in the interest of
the public generally and particularly OF the
large number Of citizens now unsupplied
with bathing accommodations. 1t is re-
specially suggested that, after the deter
mination of the Commissioners as to wheth
er 1t would be better to erect baths with or
baths without swimming pools, the esti-
mate of the probable cost Of the kind select
ed be prepared by the engineer department.
1t is suggested further that If it be deemed
undesirable now to include an item to pro-
vide for the purchase Of site, etc, an item
be submitted to provide for the preparation
of plans and specifications, with view to
submitting them to Congress in connection
with the next appropriation bill.
THE health department of the District
is incomplete in that 1t has no facilities for
the proper performance Of general bacteri-
illogical work. meteorological laboratory
Is quite as essential as chemical labora-
tory. The meteorological examination of
drinking water and Of foods Of various
kinds but especially of milk, should be a
part of the routine work of the health de-
partment. The examination of proper speci-
mems for the early diagnosis of tuberculosis,
malarial fever and of typhoid fever at least
in the case of patients unable to pay the
ordinary cost of such examinations, is
necessary in the interests of public health
and is demanded by simple humanity.
Inspection in Public Schools.
Attention is invited to the necessity for
the establishment of a proper medical in
spection service in connection with the pub
lie schools Of this district. In view Of the
general practice in connection with such
service elsewhere and for reasons which
have been pointed out from time to time,
this service if established should prefera bly,
be under the direct administration of the
health department.