Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-28


Along Practical Lines.
The work along practical l.res is being
accomplished at the little dspenSary on
AZ street and in the open-air paviloEs or
tents at the Washington Asylum Hos
pital, is stated to be encouraging, and is
being highly commended by leading ply
sicians. The building occupied as a dis
pensary and laboratory is a modest two
story structure, easy of access from some
of the most congested neighborhoOdS popu-
lated by the ''other half in South Wash
ington. On the first floor are the Offices,
the dlSpenslry and tie receiving or WdltinS
room, where persons believed to be affected
with tuberculosis are received and exam
med preparatory to having their spGtuA
tested 70. consumption baciili in the laho-
ratory the floor above. y reporter Ter
The Star was present in the laboratory
when DIR. Alfred G. Gross of the dispon-
| sary staff was making several microscopic
examinations of the sputum of tubercuio-
sis suspects. The cultures Were brought
to the dispensary by the patients and their
scrutiny under the microscope was an ia
teresting process.
In the waiting room be.Gw vas presented
a human interest picture. y young coioTed
woman, whose wan features told palmer
than words that the dread disease had
marked her q victim, was awaiting with
anxiety the result OF the test beng ma Is. .e
by DR.. Gross. Mr.. Wallace Hatch, who is
in immediate charge of the disDansary
work, was there to direct the woman after
the examination had been completed as to
what steps she should take in the future
until the disease was egadicated from her
system or death brought her relief. pro-
vded the malady had already been too ion s
neglected.
Pathetic Scenes Witnessed.
Many pathetic scenes are enacted in the
little dispensary house down on AZ street
There are some WHO leave hope behind
when they make their exit through its por.
tails. But there are very many more who
go forth with renewed hope and full of
faith in the future with its remedial proc
esses prescribed by the physicians who are
giving their time and talents gratuitously
to the humane work.
DR.. u Percy Hickiing is at the head Of
the medical workers who are operating
against the ravages of '-the white plague
in the District. Those physicians who are
giving their services gratis 10 the good
work at the dispensary are Thomas n. Vim
cent, NJ D.; R. I. Holden, MD; H. I. A.
Lemon MD. and Alfred 6. Gross MD
DIR. Hckling is giving special attention to
the open-air service in the tents" or pa
villions on the grounds of the Washington
Asylum Hospital Speaking of this work
to a Star reporter today he said good re-
suits had already been obtained through
this method of treatment.
The tents are closed in on the north,
east and west sides, fresh air and sunlight,
bacilli, being admitted from the southern
side,-which is always wide open. The
most improved and approved tents in Use
in other communities have been drawn
upon for the designs of those in service
here.
Results of Treatment
Dr. Hickling told of three white male
patients who have been under the tent
treatment for consumption. They were i'm
proving splendidly when the severe cold
weather set in. One day while making his
rounds of the hospital he visited the tuher-
the cold and asked permission TO go into
one of the warm wards of the hospital.
He gave them the desired permission and
they entered the ward few days later
while DIR. Hicklng was in the hospital the
men called him and requested that they. be
allowed to go back to the tent. Their
short stay indoors, they said, had given
of the patients I'VE feel most uncomfort-
able in here and want to get in the fresh
air again even if the weather is cold
They returned to the tent and ever since,
the doctor stated, they have been improv-
ing greatly, with good prospects Of recov-
cry
1t is the hope of Dr. Hickling. as well
as the others engaged in this most humane
work in behalf of despairing. suffering hui
manity, that the means may be forthcom-
ing for the establishment of an adequate
camp with modern facilities for fighting the
insidous fee of mankind. The four pavil-
lions tents here have proven q most
treatment, it is said, and it Is therefore
hoped that this work may be extended
The work Of the instructive visiting nurses
society of the Associated Charities, the diet