Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-02
BUILDINGS WANTED
FREEDMEN,s HosPITAL DECLAR-
ED INsAN1TARYAND DANGEROUS
DR.. Wardeld Urgently Recommends
Prompt Appropriation by
Congress.

DR.. w. A. Warfield. surgeon and chief Of
Freedmen's Hospital. has just submitted his
report for the fiscal year ended June 30.
1905. to the Secretary Of the Interior. He
says that 2,207 patients were admitted to
tho institution during the year. OF which
number 1874 were from the District Of
Columbia and the rest from the states. Two
hundred and five births occurred there in
the same period Of time, 151 being the off,
spring of residents of the District. Taking
the little newcomers into the count a grand
total Of 2,585 patients were treated during
the year. July there were 153 patients In
the hospital LA being residents Of the
District.
The total amount Of money due the hos
pital for the care and treatment of these
patients was $ss.223.75. and OF this amount
$25.5OO has been paid, leaving a balance
due of $12.72a.75.
Surgical Work Heavy.
DR.. Warfleld says: 1.-The surgical work
continued verp heavy throughout the year,
1,O12 operations having been performed. It
Is with much effort, under the present lin
tied facilities, that proper care can be given
this kind OF work. The same difficulty is
experienced in all departments Of the hos
pital. however: and although the number OF
IuSu1Cdi cases tTcdlcU inc year ID
less than the preceding one. yet the amount
of labor required for their treatment did
not perceptibly decrease
Tn the out-patient department 1923 were
treated. as follows: Medical, 1895: surgical.
278: eye and ear, 1888; genealogical. $50:
nose and throat, 294; nervous. 1926; skin
and genito-urinary, 500. making total OF
1901 cases treated in all departments of the
hospital.
'Thirty-seven post-mortems were per-
fromed and $40 pathological examinations
were made. This branch of the work is
very important, and it appears that salts
factory results in every particular will not
be had until 1t is placed in charge of sal
aried pathologist of experience.
THE training school for nurses Is In an
excellent condition. In selecting candidates
for appointment in the school the very best
are sought. and there are at present several
pursuing the course who formerly were
teachers and many others are high school
graduates. The present course Of two
years training. with only one months pro-
baton to determine the fitness of appli-
cahts. Is too short, and 1t being the policy
OF the hospitai to turn out well-trained and
capable nurses OF high character I would
recommend that the course Of training be
extended to three years, including six
months probation.
New Buildings Wanted.
"The early completion of the new hospital
buildings Is so very urgent that I can not
refrain from calling the attention of the
department to 1t. In the first place, the
buildings now occupied by the hospital are
worn out and insanitary to a high degree
and with the added danger of fire their
further occupancy Is fraught with grave
concern. To remain here another year
would necessitate an appropriation of not
less than $40. 900 for repairs and proper fire.
escape facilities to make the buildings even
fairly safe and sanitary. This amount
for repairs can be dispensed with by OBJ
tanning. Immediately after the converting
Of the next session of Congress, an appro-
priation covering the amount estimated for
the completion and equipment Of the new
hospital"