The Washington times., 1903-12-26
DR.. Hawkes. Reports to Dis
trict Commissioners De-
tails of Management He
Thinks Blameworthy.
Disagreement Over an AM
bulance Bill and an Elec-
trio Battery Causes Eric
non Between Doctors.

DR. William II. Hawkes.. a member OF
the board of directors OF the Central
DispenSary and Emergency Hospital,
and executive officer of that institution.
for November. has submitted to the Dis
trict Commissioners a report on condi-
tons prevailing Of the hospital.
The report is one presented at the meet
Ing of the board of directors by DIT.
Hawkes.. The doctor began reading the
report. but was interrupted. he says. on
the plea that the details were objec-
tionable to lady members OF the board
present.
The report opens with a statement of
an accident on Pennsylvania Avenue on
November l, IN which a deaf man was
run over by an ambulance from the
hospital and seriously injured. No
blame is attached to the ambulance
driver. who did everything in his power
to avoid the accident. but the cause of
the trouble seems to have been that the
ambulance bell did not give forth a suffi-
ciently loud note of warning. The
driver told DIR. Hawkes. he had been
trying to get a new bell for several
months. new bell was ordered by
DR.. Hawkes.. but later this order was
rescinded at the instance of the board Of
directors on the plea Of economy.
Died of Blood Poisoning.
An instance is cited OF a patient under
treatment for delirium tremens being
placed under a restraint-sheet. which
made any movement on his part impos-
sible. symptoms OF alcoholism were re-
lieved. but a bedsore developed. and
the man died from apparent septic in
fection." The report says on this sub
ject:
Investigation showed. that the man
had been tightly strapped down on a
bed. that had. instead of springs. rigid
iron slats-conditions sufficient TO pro.
duce bedsore. especially with one in a
reduced condition. The resident physi-
clan knew OF the depressed condition OF
the man in consequence Of alcoholism
and his attention was called TO the char
acter of the bed by one Of the assistant
resident physicians. when the restraint
sheet was put on. Under these circurn-
stances there can be no question about
the needlessly bad management of tho
case"
DR.. Hawkes. report goes on to asser,
that proper precautions are not taken tc
prevent the exposure OF the persons Of
patients in the presence of nurses. and
there is a charge Of gross misconduc;
OH ehe part OF the DellbOy.
Work Of Nurses.
The location OF the old clothes close,
and the MANNER of handling the cloth
ing is criticised. "It is" saws the re-
port, ''of questionable propriety 10
obiige the nurses TO handle the old
clothes (many OF which are filthy and
some of which are infected with vermin)
and then return to their legitimate work
In the wards and private rooms" DR.
Hawkes. advice about remedial meas
ures. he says. has been disregarded
Dr. Hawkes. says he discovered that
the hospital had no means of giving
necessary electrical treatment to its pa-
uents. and ordered new electric bat
terry He received notice a few days
later that this order, like the one for
the bell, had been rescinded until the
committee on supplies could consider
the matter. Dr. Hawkes. takes excep-
ton TO the action of Mr. Boardman.
president of the board OF directors. IN
instructing the superintendent to rescind
the orders. and defines what he believes
to be the authority of the executive Of
ficer.
FOLLOWING the interruption Of my re