The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-27
REPORT ON CITY HOSPITAL
ITS CONDITION CRITICISED BY COUN-
TY BOARD OF CHARITIES.
Institution Was Visited at O'clock
in the Morning-Superinten
Jobes Makes Statement.

The County Board of Charities and Cor
rection, composed OF w. r. n. Sylvester,
Lorenz Schmidt, Alice Runnels, Emma
Lee Elan. Ella Lathrop Gavin and Will
liam A. Bell. paid a visit to the City Hos
pital on Oct % and yesterday submitted
the following report to the County Com
missioners:
1--WE desire in the outset to state that
the prevalence of smallpox at the hospital
and near vicinity has prevented us from
visiting the same often as we would
have liked The board believes that it is not
expected that we should in any way hazard
our health lives in the discharge of our
duties. Therefore, We have not been able
to advise you as often as might seem de-
sirable as to the condition and needs of
the hospital
cat the time of our visit the superin-
tendent was absent and we were shown
through the building by the clerk. There
were ninety-four patients, a few of whom
were in a critical condition. There are
fifty-seven persons employed. as follows:
One superintendent. one clerk, six internes
two drug clerks, three engineers one SUI
perintendent or nurses, twenty-six nurses.
three cooks, four dining room gorls, one
matron, four laundry women. one laundry
man, one janitor, one ambulance driver
two orderlies (men). The twenty-six nurses
are in the training school Persons apply
ing for positions as nurses are received on
probation for two months and after that
are paid s. per month. All persons en-
ployed in the institution receive their board
and have their laundry work done, in addi-
ton to their other compensation.
I'VE would call special attention to the
new building, which has been completed
about two years and has never been
furnished or occupied. This building will
accommodate 100 patients.
BUILDING UNTIDY.
1.-THE building occupied is unclean, untidy
and unsanitary. The water closets are
filthy. In many places the plastering is
off the walls and ceilings. In the main
kitchen the floors are in very bad condi-
ton and we were told it was impossible
to get rid of the reaches and water bugs.
We saw soiled clothes on the floors in the
bath rooms; old rags and old shoes lying
around: dust pans the floors in the cor
ridors; an old suit of mems clothes on the
window seat. In most places In the institu-
ton there was an absolute absence OF
cleanliness. neatness and order. We regret
to say that the hospital in its present con-
dition is positive reproach to our good
city. Who is TO blame in this matter il is
not for this board TO determine, but we
feel II our duty TO advise you that we
learned that the superintendent maintains
practices his profession daily. BY so doing
il seems to us that he cannot give the at
tention TO the needs Of the hospital that
he should
I'VE would recommend an immediate and
thorough investigation into existing condi-
tons. We suggest as one way that those
in authority appoint commission
of three men and two women, not
members OF this board. who shall visit the
hospital. make full inquiry into its condi-
ton and needs and make full report
thereof with recommendations
I'VE desire to inform you that we think
the superintendent should give his whole
time TO the needs of the hospital in every
particular. We also recommend that a
woman who has some executive ability
should act as matron and housekeeper,
under the superintendent, and she should
be held accountable for the cleanliness
neatness and order of the interior of the
building and its belongings"
The report of the board for May 10 1900
was also included.
Superintendent Jobes, in justification.
says the board visited the hospital at 8
o'clock in the morning when everything
was topsyturvy and. further. that there is
not sufficient money available to make
necessary repairs and improvements Dr.
Jobes thinks the report unfair.