The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-10-21
CANAL ZONE HOSPITAL.
Model Institution in which Patients
Are Well Cared For.

me IOiiOWlag letter. from ccDfdleSctlt
patient in a Canal Zone hospital written
TO friend in Washington, contains inter-
esting information:
'Taboga Sanitarium, October. 1906.
''The hospital at Aucon consists of quite
a number Of detached houses. built by
the French during their canal operations
on til. isthmus These houses are built
Of wood and rooted with tile. They are
but one story high, with galleries extend
ing around them. but commodicus and
splendidly ventilated.
-AucOn is situated on a natural ter
race OF a high hill, which rises preeIpi-
lately behind the town, and descends
gradually to the city of Panama It's
broad avenues are lined with cocOanut
and royal palms and other tropical trees
and plants. The location and surround
ings could hardly be surpassed for its
purposes
Immediately after going to the hospital
was given an examination and told that
surgical operation would be necessary.
The surgeon explained the necessity for
this treatment. and very frankly admit
ted, in answer TO my question. that
would experience a good deal Of pain
after the operation. lie told the truth.
''The surgical ward to which / was as
signed contains about twenty-five beds
and. I think, twenty-fOur windows. There
are four doors. one at each end. and
one about midway on each side. CALLER
les OF the sides and at the ends. and
venulators in the roof. There are no
electric or other fans, the temperature not
being high enough 10 necessitate their
use; in fact, il would be unc0mfortably
chilly Of nights without a blanket The
ward is kept Immediately clean, and I
was surprised al the absence Of all kinds
Of insects. The galleries were protected
by mosquito netting on the sides and
one end. but the other end was open.
When able to walk I became obsessed
on this subject. and finally one day on
an open gallery leading to the dining
room. I saw one little red ant. the only
specimen OF insect life I saw while there.
nearly two weeks.
quite a variety OF surgical cases are
handled. a very large percentage. how
ever. are attributable 10 accidents on the
] A~1A4lAi-4tf 81 canal WHICH range IRON q
mashed finger 20 crushed limbs or broken
ribs
Before being subjected 10 the surgeon s
knife, unless immediate action is impera-
tive. the patient is carefully dieted. and
the matter Of diet is considered and pre-
scribed thereafter until he is convalescent
The action and condition OF his heart and
lungs are ascertained before an anes-
theJic is administered. After as well as
before the operation. the temperature
and pulse are tested twice daily and their
record kept Other data showing the pa
tents condition are had from time 70
time. and a complete history Of each case
is kept on file
i was "a little curious at first TO learn
whether tha employees Of the Isthmian
Canal Commission. who are treated free
OF charge and who constitute the major
iiy Of the sick and injured would re-
ceive as much consideration as they would
We're they paving for services rendered
and was gratihed 10 see that they all re-
ceive as careful attention and as cOur-
te0us treatment as they would have been
accorded upon payment or large fee
Like most OF the others. went TO The
hospital a stranger, without introduction
or recommendation. and in the Scriptura
way they took me IN and ministerej
unto me-
I became acquainted with nearly al
the others in our ward, and with but
one exception they were all patient and
cheerful, or If impatient. IL was for the
! time TO arrive when they could return Ia
their work, not one spoke of returning
home when released.
Or Herrick, who had our ward and
I do not know what others, under his sll.
pervision, seems highly qualified for the
position he occupies He bears a higf
reputation as a surgeon: is very cour-
teOus, without being familiar. and pos
sesses the peculiar gift of making proper
decisions Instantly and accurately. He
| has assistant surgeons and nurses. all OF
whom understand their duties and per
form ITEM we'll The Orderlies are West
Indian negroes. and attend to their WORK
fairly well. which I have never heard
said Of their fellow-countrymen, who
work as laborers on the canal.
After twelve days at Aucon. ]. with
several others, who were able TO be
moved, was transferred 10 TabOga Is
| land (abOut twelve miles from Panama.
upon which the French had built a fine
sanitarium within a stones throw OF the
ocean, and which is now utilized for in
valids who are recovering, and where
with good fare, sea baths. and boating
/ one soon RECEIVERS his natural tone
Col. Gorgas, chief sanitary officer. Wis.
/ tied the surgical ward several times Will,
1 was there though I understand he de.
votes most Of his attention to that por-
/ ton of the hospital where diseases are
/ treated. He is very popular on the 18th.
mus, and I think deservedly So.