Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-02-08
THE s"MUNiCIPAl HOSPITAL
~ tg
RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED By
BOARD OF CHARITIES.
Suggestion That 18th Street Should
Not he Extended Through Grounds
Other Features.

At the suggestion Of Mr. Edmund Wheel
wright of Boston, the professional adviser
of the District Commissioners in connec-
ton with the plans for the municipal hos
pital, the board of charities has submitted
number Of recommendations regarding
some of the features of the institution The
board Is Of the opinion that 18th street ex-
tended should not run through the hospital
grounds, as proposed nor should any public
thoroughfare be run through these grounds.
The board also believes that the hospital
should be, primarily, charitable 1nsti-
tuition, designed to provide medical and
surgical aid for the sick poor, and that
whatever educational work OF scientific
research is carried on in connection with
the institution should be incidental and
subordinate to the main purpose. 1t is sug-
gested that the program contemplates
more extensive equipment for clinical and
PATHOLOGICAL work than the character of the
institution, charity hospital, would
Justify because these features would en-
tail a very large initial expenditure and
would add considerably to the annual cost
of maintenance.
1t is stated that the hospital would in
evitably receive, proportionately, a very
large number of chronic cases. such as do
not furnish desirable material for clinical
purposes. To emphasize the clinical side
of the work would keep away many per-
sons for whom its benefits are designed, be-
ca use great many Of the poor and ignor-
ant, who are very much in need OF hos
pital treatment, are opposed to entering
hospital, by reason Of their fear that they
VIII be operated upon Or exhibited for the
benefit of doctors and students.
Two branches sugxested.
The board suggests that the hospital be
arranged in two separate branches, de-
Pa t1yhf No aud
patients, with provision for separate med
zeal and nursing STATS, one white and the
other colored 1t is regretted that 1t is
necessary to make this suggestion at this
time, but the board is OF the opinion that
the municipal hospital should afford equal
opportunities for white and colored, and
unless q special provision is made in this
direction the result would likely be the
employment of white physicians and nurses
only. The two separate branches suggest
ed should be under single Administrations
In conclusion the board suggests: PRO
vision should be made Tor at least 40
chronic cases, 100 colored and sixty white.
This estimate Is based on the experience
| of the board In trying to find accommoda-
lions for chronic cases In other hospitals
The board Is aware of the TACT, IN making
this suggestion. that to increase the rela-
| tive number of chronic cases In the insti-
tuition will render the hospital less attract
i've to fphysieians and nurses and would
probahly neeassitate a larger payment for
services in this direction; but: If SO, the
board Isl OF the opinion that such payment
| would be fully justified. The institution is
first Of all to- serve the interests Of the
poor people. rfand il the class of patients
treated, therein is not such as to attract
| physicians and nurses for the experience
afforded. then the government should pay
| a reaseHahie compensation in return for
| the services rendered.
| Substftute for F'reedmeass Hospital.
! ut Is suggested that the federal govern
ment substitute for the present Freed
mems Hospital a hospital with a capacity
/ of. say, eighty beds. to be made a part Of
/ Howard University and supported by the
federal. government, primarily as an edu-
cational institution for the colored people
| on the same principle as the law depart
| ment of that university Is now maintained.
\ The beard believes that II this suggestion
were adopted the proposed arrangement
wouid afford suitable facilities for training
colored physicians aud nurses and the mu-
| nicipal hospital might be administered on
the merit system. without references to the
question OF color.