Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-14
DISEASE PREVENTION
BUSINESS BEFORE BOARD OF AS
socIATED CHARITIES

At a meeting of the board of managers
of the Associated Charities last wednes-
day afternoon Prof. b. T. Janney was re-
elected chairman OF the board. a new spe-
cial committee on the public treatment OF
inebriates was organized. a special COM
mittee was appointed to promote the
adjustment OF public hospital facilities
for chronic cases and conyaiescents. and
other business was transacted. A vacancy
on the board was filled by the election of
DR.. Sole A. Nordhofy-Jung. Dr. Geo. NJ
Kober being appointed to report her cleo
ton personally to DR.. Jung. The members
present were Justice David ]. Brewer pres
fdent of the association: Prof b. T. jan
ney, Col. Archibald Hopkins. VIM III. Bald
win. Frederic L. Moore. Miss Florence p.
Spofford. DR.. Geo. NJ Kober Miss Helen
Nicolay. Geo. s. Wilson and Secretary
Chas. F. Weller.
The most important business of the day
was the decision reached to organize
new special committee to Cooperate with
the District Commissioners, the board OF
public charities and other public officers
IN promoting proper. intelligent treatment
OF habitual drunkards and men suffering
from lntoxication. In proposing this new
effort the general secretary cited a number
OF cases In which the agents and volunteer
workers of the Associated Charities have
which the mans inclination to strong drink
Is the cause of distress. In a great many
instances, Ii was said. there has been spe-
cific need of treatment in proper institu-
tion and workers have found that the
District government provides nothing for
such cases except to treat them as crimi-
nails. commit them to the workhouse for
fifteen to ninety DAYS dress them I'm
stripes. degrade them in every way and
turn them back again upon the community
not improved. but weakened in their power
to resist further temptation.
1t was suggested that the removal of the
almshouse or District home for the aged
has left vacant a number of good
buildings adjacent to the Washington Asy-
lum Hospital and workhouse Without
much EXPENSE a small institution for in
ebriates could be developed here provid-
ing not only for the cases which would be
willing to accept treatment in hospital,
but also taking care of cases which must
be treated through the courts and hold
Tor a time virtually as prisoners.
Appropriation Recommended
The District Commissioners and board
of public charities have recommended this
year an appropriation for the establish
ment Of special hospital facilities for the
treatment of inebriates at the site on
Brigntwood avenue where hospital wards
for consumptives are being erected. The
new committee of the Associated Charities
was instructed to cooperate with the Dis
trict Commissioners and board of public
charities in promoting public interest and
congressional approval for their recon-
menda tions.
Judge VIM. H De Lacy was selected
to head the new committee. Justice David
j. Brewer and Miss Helen Nicolay were
appointed as members of the committee,
which was empowered to add to Its MEM
bership from people outside of the board
Of managers.
The need of hospital facilities for chron-
ic, incurabe cases and for convalescents
dismissed from ordinary hospitals and not
yet able to return to active employment
was discussed at length. Cases We're cited
in which the agents of the society have
been unable to induce aged sufferers to
accept the treatment provided at the Wash
ington Asylum Hospital because the pa
tients have felt that the proximity to the
workhouse would lead their neighbors to
understand that they had been degraded
and virtually committed criminals. 1t
was said that there is not room enough
in the Washington Asylum Hospital how
ever. even for the needy patients who can
be induced to go there No hospital in the
city is willing to take these chronic cases
or to continue the care of conyalescents
after their recovery from the immediate
disease.
The board of managers indorsed the
recommendation of the District Commits
sioners and board of public charities to
the effect that modest facilities should be
developed at the municipal grounds
Brightwcod avenue for the care of chron-
ic cases and convaescents. with the def
mite understanding that this is not an ef-
fort to develop a great municipal hospital
and to undertake in any way work which
is being done or ever will be done by phi
vate hospitals and existing institutions.
A special committee. comprising Mr.. VIM.
H. Baldwin, chairman: Col. Archibald Hop
kins, Frederic L. Moore and Secretary
Chas. F. Weller. was appointed to asst
in developing public opinion and securing
congressional approval for the recommended
tions of the board of public charities and
the District Commissioners on these lines.
Reports Received
For the finance committee Col. Archibald
Hopkins reported that subscriptions re-
the beginning of the fiscal year. July l. had
amounted to s3,35252, or about one-ffth
of the total amount necessary for the
years expenses The committee Is plan
ming to continue efforts to secure the bal
ance within the next two months.
The secretarys report of the work ac-
complished during the past month included
the following items: Applications received
1.220; families receiving charitable treat
ment. 1853: total number of families regis
tered to date, 1902. Material aid was
procured or administered 40 times during
November to 1870 different cases: 3O2 drafts
were drawn upon the Citizens Relief AS
sociation out of the total number of 400.
The number of friendly visitors, savings
collectors and division conference MEM
bers active during the month was 1876. A
total of 500 visits were made by these
volunteers and the agents of the society.
Thanksgiving day baskets and special hol-
iday cheer was recommended or given 10
2f2 families. There were seventeen meet
ings of the division conferences during the