Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-11
Total Number of Patients.


pital population does not assume undue
proportions.
Total Number of Patients.
Today the institution provides for over
$500 patients, over 1000 of whom reach the
hospital through army or navy sources
The civilians number over 1900, of whom
about GOO are women. Just how and for
whom the new buildings will be named has
not been considered yet, but it has been
suggested that the name of the man who
planned them SO largely, DR.. A. B. Richard
son, the late superintendent, might be prop
erly commemorated in this connection. The
buildings are stated to be thoroughly fire.
proof
Arrangements are being completed by the
superintendent for the placing of a con-
tract for the installation of an automa tic
fire alarm system throughout the entire in
stitutiOn. The money appropriated for this
work was $4,000 At present the hospital
is dependent upon a local fire brigade, with
hose and extinguishers, in the event of fire.
The institution has been singularly fortu-
nate in this respect, no serious blaze hav-
ing ever occurred there. although several
have from time to time been discovered in
their incipiency. They were easily extin-
guished.
The completion of the new power plant
at the government hospital is another mark
of the transition from older methods to
modern that is gradually being brought
about. The plant is in operation and is
located near the head of the one-time ra-
vine not far from the new building area.
1t Is easily noticeable from the immense
stack which marks the spot, and which is
stated to be the largest of the kind in the
District. 1t measures 225 feet in height and
is built of special brick.
Power Plant Equipment.
The power plant includes five boilers OF
the Heine pattern of 300 horse power each
with powerful engine and dynamo equip
ment. The engines number two, of the
Burr-McIntosh, Seymour type, each of 500
horse power, direct-connected to two West
inghouse dynamos of 300 kilowatts each
They are situated in the upper story of the
building. There is handsome switchboard
cost over $4,000. There is gauge record
board also here, from which the engineer
is able to tell precisely the amount of work
the plant is doing. There are two other en-
gines and dynamos part of the former
equipment of the hospital, to be removed
from their present location near the river
to the new power house. When this is done
the plant will be the central heating and
lighting station for virtually the entire
institution. From there the steam heat is
sent out to the new buildings already
through several miles of tunnels. Each
building receives it's lreIt through coils
located in the basement. Gold air Is drawn
in over the heated coils and forced through
ducts to the several rooms. Foul air is
drawn out OF the various rooms through a
system Of ducts by fans in the attics, in
both cases the fans being operated by cleo
tricity. The cost Of the power plant is
placed at $242, 600.
Excavating has been begun for the
foundations of the new pathological de-
partment at the hospital. The building will
be 52x46 feet two stories high. of brick
The present structure is to be removed
from the site 1t now occupies about 150
feet to the west where it will be remodeled
and an extension erected. Provision will
be made for a room for pOst-mortem work
and for pathological and Photographic de-
partment. The cost of this work is esti-
mated at 5000.
Exhibit at st. Louis.
Satisfactory preparations are going for
the hospital send an exhibit to the ST.
Louis exposition. Space has been allotted
the institution in the government building
The exhibit will consist of model of the
hospital and grounds with specimens Of
the work of the pathological department
DR.. White is at present considering plans
for the building of roadways and the lay
ing out of the grounds about the new build
cided on is the planting Of shrubbery and
trees to screen the buildings east Of Mich
OILS avenue from public view.
In connection with the power plant there
has been constructed an immense coal
dump, capable of containing over 1000 tons.
It Is buttressed by large Orders and has
concrete retaining walls and concrete base.
Over this receptacle four steam car tracks
are located, branching from the freight line
to the asylum, and It Is possible to dump
the coal directly from the cars overhead
into the vault.