Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-02
CARE OF THE INSANE
New Building Occupied at
st. Elizabeth's.
A MODERN STRUCTURE
TWO MORE WILL COMPLETE
THESE IMPROVEMENTS.
Beautifying the Grounds and Looking
After Pleasure of
Patients.
A MODERN STRUCTURE

Within the past day or two building B,
one of the structures of the extension u
the Government Hospital for the Insane,
comprising in all fifteen buildings and rep
resentng approximately an expenditure Oh
81. 800 900, has been occupied. This marks
another step toward the attainment or
modern accommodation in the care and
treatment of the insane at the institution as
well in the Encouragement and reclassl-
tication of the patients.
All the structures of the hospital addition
are now occupied with the exception or
two cottages. known as and X. Ihese
will be moved into within a week or so.
The furniture for them has been shipped.
1t is expected that the old Toner group,
now emptied of it's male patients, will
shortly be occupied by its women inmates,
which. when consummated, will have the
effect of completely establishing the Wom-
ems department In contiguous DullolESS,
mostly all new, in a colony numbering GU
patients in the group west west of Nichols
avenue.
Building B. which is situated just north
of the administration building. to which 1t
is connected by eolonnade, has capacity
of 104 patients, and is duplicate in form
of construction to building G, which Is on
the other side of the central structure and
now occupied by women patients. This
structure will furnish accommodations for
males and will be the receiving building for
the entire male department. In 1t are TO-
Gated the hospital wards of this depart
ment The building is constructed in dOu-
BILE style. In the rear wings, on both
floors, located dormitories. of which
there are four, and in the front wings,
which are connected with the rear wings,
are situated, each floor, sitting rooms.
day rooms. etc. The portion of the build
ing connecting the central wing to the END
wings on either side contains single rooms
to the number of thirty-two
Physicians Quarters.
In the central section are provided the
physicians quarters, reception rooms, DIN
ing room and operating room, while in the
basement is located the hydrotherapeutic
apparatus. Fifty patients were removed to
the new building from that portion of the
hospital which has been devoted exclusive
ly to the use of male patients since Its
foundation.
Two sick wards, each with capacity of
twenty-SiX patients, were Immediately NIL
ed. These will be occupied by 'bedridden
cases., while in the remaining wards all
patients as received at the government asy-
Ium will be cared for until by observation
proper disposition may be made for them
in other buildings of the hospital. An in
spection of the building creates favor
able impression, due mainly to the airy,
comfortable apartments, the CHEEKY day
rOOIQS dlU tIe GIG 10
an elevator in the building, operating be-
tween basement and second floor and on
which patients will be conveyed to the ny
drotherapeutic rooms or to the operating
room above, the case may be. This OPP
Grating room is supplied with modern IA
ciities for surgical work, has marble lin
ing and an amphitheater in which students
may be accommodated.
The population of the hospital to date
numbers 2,462 actually present at the hos
pital, not including a large number absent
on parole. The males number 1853, of
whom 276 are colored, while there $50
females, among whom PA are colored. As
fast as the older sections of the institutions
are relieved of their excess of patients DR..
White is having old wards renovated fire.
proofed. etc, with outlook for sanitation
and safety.
While the season for the indoor amuse-
ment of the hospital inmates, with dance
and dramatic performance, is almost over.
yet they are by means to be neglected
in the line of recreation, carriage riding
| is pleasure in which they are INDUCED
freely, SO that each day contingent of pa
tients is taken from some part of the hos
pital or other for an outing about town, a
feature that is being looked forward to
with the approaching season.
Care of the Grounds.
In keeping with this same thoughtfulness
that provides some method by which those
confined at the institution may have en-
fort expended in the care and Identification
of the grounds, which just now are Begin
ming to assume an appearance akin to the
season. The grounds. with their attractive
walks, by-ways and tangled ravines are
not alone for picturesque effect, but that
che inmate may walk abroad and feel the
beneficial results of communion with ma
ture, while the aid of the gardener Is in
voked to add the establishment of floral
nn6 fhn haI Sc
are now being prepared, although in some
cases they are already blooming and giving
an indication of what may be expected
when all is completed. The grounds afford
study In bird and animal life to some ex-
tent, as the blackbirds and robins infest
every nook and are eager for the food
thrown to them, while in the rayines the
cnattering squirrel has ventured from his
retreat and scurries about the trees The
shrubbery Is beginning to show its swelling
buds, and an eXpanSe of level green indi-
Gates the care that has been bestowed on
the lawns. In the once barren spaces sur
rounding the new buildings the same effects
are being Striven for, and worWmen are pre-
pairing lawns and walks in all directions.
Granolithic walks to the extent of / 900 feet
were laid around the buildings last week.
The current work of the hospital is pro-
ceeding satisfactorily. DIR. White is con-
sidering plans for the removal of the two
story and tower brick engine house to
less prominent site, and it is probable that
a contract for the work will shortly he
awarded. The building was erected in 1880
Inc work on the extension to the laundry
plant. which will be a two-room addition
to cost about 5000 has reached the roofing
stage The same amount will be expended
IN machinery for the addition The work
on the pathological laboratory is nearing
completion