The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-04-15
Additional Appropriation
OF $1,000 Recommended
for That Purpose.
THE WORK URGENTLY NEEDED
Gen John M. Wilson, New President OF
the Institution, Makes Strong Appeal,
Which Is Approves by Board OF Char
tiles and the District Commissioners.

The District Commissioners have sent
to the Secretary OF the Treasury for ap-
proval supplemental estimate of $1,000
for Improvements to the Columbia Hos
pital fer Women. They asked that ii be
sent to Congress to be included in the
pending aiprop: iation bill for the ex-
penses of the District for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1903.
copy of a Communicate from the
District Board of Charities recommend
ing the appropriation. was forwarded with
the estimate
committee of the Board of Charities
inspected the hospital and reported that
the changes and improven ents suggested
were necessary and desirable and the
estimate was approved.
Several days ago = letter was forward
ed to the Commissi.ro:s from Gen john
NJ. Wilson, president q nc boald CT trus-
tees Of the hospital, stating tne various
needs of repairs and IL provonents.
General Wilson'S Letter.
Having been recert!y elected president
of the board of directors 81 Columbia
Hospital for Women, iLG :1v.r- agreed
to devote for the present Z pci- Il CO my
time to this important duty" General
Wilson wrote, Il have oarefaily examined
the hospital. its methods of administra-
tion and the great woIk dcne in ths inter
ests of humanity by it's experienced and
accomplished surgeons and / deem Ger
tain repairs and impro vcments absolutely
necessary for the proper care of the
many afflicted ones treated at this ihssi-
tuition.
Il have the honor TO request that your
board Will, as soon as practicable submit
special estimate to Congress with fay-
oraoie recommendation. for an apyropria-
ton of $4,000 for improvements and re-
pairs of Columbia Hospital for Women
and Lying-in Asylum, to be used as fol-
lows:
Operating Room and Lavatory.
First, for an additional operating room
and lavatory, s2,see
The hospital is ncw open to all reg.-
lar physicians and surgeons to attend pa
tients in private rooms and the number
OF important operations is constantly in
creasing; ii is almost impossible for the
operating surgeons to always know in ad-
vance whether or not the disease is dan
/
sions the present operating room has been /
used nearly the entire day BIZ several (
different surgeons; during such time /
one or more infectious cases may have |
been treated, which always adds danger |
TO patients subjected to operation imme- |
diately afterwerd. -
Time Is required 10 clean and venti- |
late operating rooms even when they are
provided with ice latest modern improve |
Antn .l ii,
infectious disease is transmitted from one |
patient TO succeeding one when the same /
operating room is used, in spite of the ,
usual cars taken TO prevent such a dis |
tressing accident
with ar additional room, duly made
ready in advance. a second or third opera
ticn may lie conducted without loss Of
time In cffar,s 10 prepare the room first
Used
The number of operations in this hos
pitai is rapidly increasing and the de-
mand Tor SPACE and facilities will be still
greater
"A welllishied lavatory is absolutely
necessary, wner7 he surgeons may attend
10 the fertilization q. their hands.
New Elevator Needed.
Second. for new elevator, $500.
THE present eieya or is antiquated and
II l. GDs-lE necessary TO take /
patients frcm the lower to the upper
focrs, bat owing. 10 the danger. this is
now avoided as much as possible.
Floors in Bad Shape
Third. for repairs of floors. pIastering
Of walls and ceilings. and other minor
necessary repairs, 500. Many OF the
focrs are old and badly worn and splin-
tered: they should be renewed The
clustering of walls and ceilings needs re-
pairs and painting.
The estimate which | would most es-
neeiaily urge is for Il new operating room
nd lavatory, new elevator. repairs for
r-ors plastering OF walls and ceilings
Ia the aggregate 5000.
7 am aware that your board has given
he subject Of the District charities most
.aretui and thoughtful consideration and
are planning for a municipal hospital
worthy u the National Capital, but until
iuch plans are contaminated 1t is earnest
Y hoped that Columbia Hospital, which
= doing such great work for the females
II this District. may be maintained in
fuch condition as will prevent danger TO
re patterns seeking it's care.
THE saving of one life or the proven
son OF serious and dangerous Illness
rom infection would amply repay the
mall expenditure OF 5000 now so neces-
'aEy
Il earnestly plead for this hospital, 10
which 4 willingly and freely give a por-
ion of my time, and in the welfare and
prosperity OF which | find myself each day
,ocoplfnp moro and mora inf ad