The Washington times., 1907-06-09
MEDICAL SCHOOL
WILL SUPERSEDE
HYGIENE MUSEUM
Old Site at oath and E
Streets Will Be Grad
ually Improved.
Institution Will Be Made
a Training Place for
Hospital Corps.

The grounds occupied for many years
by the Naval Museum Of Hygiene at
Twenty-fourth and z streets northwest.
are being gradually transformed for the
uses Of a naval medical school. and in
time, it is hoped, an educational center
and training place for the Hospital
Corps OF the navy, both male and
female, will be made.
This work has been one OF the
greatest efforts put forth by Surgeon
: General Rixey in his attempt to place
the Medical Department of the navy on
a plane that shall be efficient and equal
10 that Of any nation I'm the world.
The Illustration gives an idea of what is
proposed and what the grounds win
look like i'm some years to come. II the
Surgeon General is able 70 carry out
his views in xhe matter.
On the grounds at present are the
old building, originally occupied by the
Naval Museum Of Hygiene and now
transformed into a school of medicine
with its lecture room; library Of 10000
volumes. including some Of the oldest
and choicest medical works in exist
ence; extensive chemical,
meteorological and pathological exam
ming rooms for the examination of
those desiring TO enter the Medical
Corps OF the navy. a corps of instruc-
tors. specially skilled in their branches
is stationed here
Features of School
The leading features of the school are.
perhaps, that Of tropical medicine,
which is said to be equal TO any CONT
mental schools in this branch. A course
i'm naval hygiene is particularly 10 be
mentioned. as we'll as one of the most
practical and best courses in naval sur
gerry.
To carry on the practical work and 10
afford ample facilities for the treatment
of the large body of enlisted men and
officers in Washington. a new hospital
has been partially completed, and is des-
tined to be model Of its kind. Addi-
tons to il are being undertaken at
present by reason Of an appropriation
from Congress for the purpose and
which will give adequate accommoda-
tons for the constantly growing de-
mands on this institution. Although the
hospital has been in commission but
few months, ii is running to its full ca
pacity now.
As shown by the illustration. the COM
plete work involves the bulldine OF adj
hAAtAlcA SILK QudlAtTS IOE OTlCeTE ana
contagious hospital; 4 training school
for male nurses. a training school for
female nurses. and the building and
construction Of various buildings need
ed in conjunction with this work.
Excellent Location.
The location is most beautiful being
on the high grounds overlooking the Po-
tomaC river. and also overlooking the
Speedway and parks being constructed
along the border Of the river. 1t pra-
sents one of the most attractive sites
in Washington. and is specially adapted
for hospital use on account of its eIeva-
ton and the beautiful view and ex-
posture to sunshine and air. Across the
river can be seen the Arlington Gene
terry, on The Virginia shore. and when
the Arlington bridge is completed. its
Washington terminus VIII touch at the
corner of the hospital grounds.
The scheme Of Surgeon General Rixev.
which is worthy Of great praise and
commentator, contemplates the place
as a great educational center for the
naval medical corps. Here the civilian
doctors who enter the service are 70
be given course in naval medicine
and surgery, and in duties which are
peculiar to the navy. and which fit them
for their life work in the service.
Naval Medicine a Speciality.
1t Is not generally understood that
naval medicine constitutes in Itself
specially as important and as varied
In its features as any speciality in civil
practice. The peculiar conditions at
tending life aboard ship call for special
training and special information. and
the medical care Of large bodies Of men
on shore involves all the features that
are generally classed under those OF
military medicine and surgery
II is the hope Of Surgeon General
RiXey that. whom this establishment Is
completed all factors and personnel OF
the medical department will be fully
equipped from every point, both from
the standpoint OF medicine and from
the military side All leading coun-
tries today have schools more or less
extensive. and courses Of instruction
provided for their medical department
and. in this sense, this is not an inno-
vatiOn but an effort TO put us on the
same plane with other people
Early Effort Failed.
An early effort to found a naval medi-
cal school was made in New York in
1890. but after a precarious existence of
a few years it came to end at the time
or the Spanish-American war, when the
services of all officers were needed and
none could be spared for instruction.
On entering Office. one OF the first things
Surgeon General Rixey did was to re-
est~1b--1l this important measure and
II has been his continual effort ever
since to build up and improve the medi-
cal department in this respect
The sick quarters and facilities for
taking care OF the sick on battleships
Fave been brought to a high state OF
efficiency. probably surprising those of
any other country, and when the pro-
lected work Is carried out in connec-
lion with the rrooonf hoepsfof cx-cfor,,