The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-05

at the southwest corner of Sixth ave-
nue. and Clay streets a that time rep
resented the hospital. With the pur-
chase of the adjoining property the
mediately started. It was built of
brick to conform with the general plan
of architecture. The large verandas
were extended until they represented
a frontage of over hundred feet,
making a delightful resting place for
convalescing patients. The interior was
refitted and refurnished and placed in
as an attractive shape as possible, and
before the end of five months DrS.
Keith and Rhodes figured out that the
purchase of the property and the inn
provements had stood them close to
$50, 900, counting the original pur-
chase.
The hospital has trebled in size in
the year and one-half of its history.
1t was established in December of
1903 and at that time it had accom-
modations for ten patients. Today it
can easily take care of thirty-fiVe with
larger and better facilities for COM
batting disease. The average number
of patients under treatment is about
twenty-five.
The whole surrounding country is
tributary. Patients come from as far
west as New Mexico and from south
from Texas.
q never had an idea" said Dr.
Keith in speaking of this phase that
there was such a big field here for a
hospital 1t has grown beyond MY
most sanguine hopes. OF course. 1
naturally expected it to grow, but I
never believed that it would grow
with the leaps and bounds that it has.
Why in the year and a half that it
has been established it has simply
trebIed."
The main wing of the hospital is
three stories in height. On the first
floor to the left of the entrance is the
| Office and waiting room; on the right
are two general wards for men, each
14x16. with accommodations for four
patients in each ward To thehrear
and extending the whole width OF the
building, is the dining room and
| kitchen. On the second floor are two
| large wards for women: these are
situated on the north side of the hall
! and compare in size with the wards
for the men on the first floor. Across
the hall is the operating room,
equipped with the latest appliances
and having an abundance of light.
! The room is thoroughly adapted to
the needs of modern surgery. Each
| floor has its bath room with modern
equipments. On the third floor are
| separate wards for cOlored patients.
These together with two sleeping
apartments for the nurses, complete
the list of rooms in the main wing.
| The annex which connects the main
wing with the smaller one, joins the
addition contains six private wards.
The wards are arranged three on
each side of the main passageway.
These wards are especially attractive.
They are bright and airy, finished
throughout in hard wood and fur
nished CORRESPONDENCE with golden
| oak. In the south wing of the hos
pital are located additional private
wards and the apartments of the su-
| peEintendent, Mrs. S. w. McKibben.
| On the first floor to the left of the
! entrance are two large private wards,
and on the right another private ward.
In the rear is a fully equipped diet
kitchen. On the second, floor are two
/ private wards. the apartments of Mrs.
| McI<ibben and rest room for the
night nurses together with bath
rooms. The furnishings are on a par
with the remaining. private wards.
| The rooms in each instance are large
and airy and perfectly comfortable.
I The wide verandas and the grounds
4 which cover almost a whole block,
make the surroundings pleasant in
deed.
| Drs- Keith and Rhodes lately Sc
cured the services of Mrs. S. w. Nc
| bibben as uperintendent. This is sig
nificant in itself. Mrs. McKibben has
a very wide reputation and is the best
experienced and best known nurse in
the state. For thirteen years she was
| at the head of Christ hospital in To-
| peka and a year or SO ago resigned.
After a period OF rest she was offered