The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-19
COUNTY HOMES
 RECOMMENDED
Report of Commission on Tuberculosis Presented to General Assembly To- Io-
Especial to the lFarmer.)

Special to the H'armer.)
 Hartford, Jan. 19.-The report of the 1 special committee appointed by the
 tuberculosis to-day presented it's re-
 port to the General Assembly. Ii 1 is an exhaustive document of S6 pages
 illustrated with a number of half tone
 engravings, and embodies history of 1 the disease in New England as well
 as the work performed by the com mission in looking into the present situation in this statet and the recom- mendationS of the commission.
 One of the most important Of the recommendations of the commission is one which relates to County Homes for tuberculosis patients. The report says:
 uation as it is presented to the State to-day, there must be some suitable place selected and suitable buildings constructed for the care of all cases of tuberculosis that are indigent and
 cannot with safety be cared for at
 home. For such a provision for the tuberculous, your Commission finds. after careful investigation, demand upon the part of the public that can- not be disregarded. It would appear that the most economical and at the same time efficient method to meet the demand will be in the construction of County Homes for consumptives in each county in the Statet. It IS at the outset to be understood, that in proposing such a measure, your Com mission is not recommending the con struction of expensive sanatoria, which it has already endeavored to make eV- ident are uncalled for.
 If this work is to be undertaken by the State, it should be done with a view to the possible cure, or maseriai terra betterment of the inmates. It should be understood that the durability of tuberculosis in our own climate has been definitely established. Long years of training in a contrary Op1n- ion has so influenced the general pub lie that they are still sceptical. With in the borders of every county in Con- locations, healthful, beautiful and well adapted to the modern fresh air treat ment of consumptives. Some such place should be secured in each county for the work proposed. In making
 such selections, due consideration should be paid to proximity to the larger centers of population; not near enough to interefere with the purpose of the institution, but as near as pos sible, in order to secure to friends inexpensive access to the inmates.
 In selecting a farm for such an in
 stitution, it is desirable that one should be chosen that has upon it good farm buildings, in proper state or preservation There is no difficulty whatever in securing such farms in any part of the State today and the present farm house and outbuildings will easily suffice for the offices of the proposed consumptive Home.
 As to the buildings for the accom- modation of the patients, two frame buildings of simple design, one Tor male and the other for female pa- tients, can be constructed so as 70 meet every requirement. The details of such buildings are not to be dis cussed in this report, as the designs will necessarily be varied to conform to the location and to the expected number of occupants. In a general buildings should be two stories in height, the first floor containing a ward for such patients as may mot require special care, the second floor divided into separate rooms, for the accommodation of those who are con- fined to their beds. A double piazza can be made, to supply out-of-door rest for the occupants of each floor. In the report of the Massachusetts Com mission for the Investigation of Tu- berculosis in that state, 1t was estl- mated that such buildings might De constructed for $50,000 and supply ac- commodation for one hundred pa tients A county Home for the Iarg- est counties in Connecticut would re- 1uire this capacity at the outset, while in the smaller counties much less would be called for.
 Your Commission, in making this suggestion as to the character or the Homes recommended, is earnest in ad- vocating the avoidance of all extraV- agance. Built simply, as suggested, 1t will be a matter of slight expense to increase accommodations as the de- mand arises The public sanatoria in this country and in Europe are built upon a scale of magnificence, in many instances, that is wholly unjustlhable. Tine cost of maintenance is very ex- cessive and for a disease of the char acter of tuberculosis such ornamental structures are most unsuitable. The very beautiful private sanatorla that have been built in some parts of thls country are in the main memorials, and the feeling of the builder mas found expression in lavish expendl- ture. Such institutions it is not prop CT to criticise but in some instances their maintenance has become ser ious embarrassment. The simple frame building and the inexpensive "shacks.'' now so much commended by workers in institutions for the treat ment of tuberculosis, undoubtedly seem mean by the side of stone and marble, but they are more comfort able to the average occupant. IT there is money to spend, let it be ex- pended in the care of the patients and in proper remuneration of the attend ants.
 An argument against extravaganza may seem uncalled for, but in all pub ic work unless checked at the outset, the danger of attempting too much is we'll understood. A first expendi- ture in excess of what is desirable not infrequently brings a commendable public work into disrepute and ser iously imperils it's usefulness.
 The resident staff requisite for the proper conduct of the institutions pro- posed will vary in accordance with the service required. In the smaller coun- ties, 8 matron, assisted by nurses when their services are necessary will easily suffice. The occasional medical attendance that may be called for, can be secured and can be paid for at the rates prevailing in the neighborhood of the Home. In the larger counties, a resident physician will be called for, to superintend the institution and to meet the emergencies that may arise and demand immediate professional attention.
 majority of the cases that will be |