The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-07-26
OSBORN ORDERS CLEANUP
OF HOWELL SANITARIUM
AFTER INSPECTION TRIP
Calls Attention TO Members of
Board TO Faulty Conditions
He Found There
UNCLEAN AND UNSWEPT
Commends Them for Past Work
and Asks Them TO Keep Close
Watch or Institution
UNCLEAN AND UNSWEPT
From a staff Correspondent.

LANSING. Mich. July 25.-Wed-
nesday afternoon. Gov. Osborn made
an inspection OF the state sanatorium
at Howell, and found things in such
deplorable condition that he nEs
written 10 every member of the
board demanding that conditions be
improved.
Gov. Osborns letter follows:
I made an inspection OF the state
sanatorium for the care and treatment
OF tuberculosis persons at Howeu SeS-
terday / deem II my duty TO inform
you that I found the sanatorium un,
clean. unswept. unscruhhed' ctuttsrra
and generally unttdy l made thor-
building and out-buildings | did aot
make close Inspection OF the interior
or the inhrmary or cottages Tor the
reason that'I do not consider myself
competent TO Judge as to what the con-
uitions should be there, and for the
further reason that did not desire tc
unneceSsarily disturb the patients
found the administration building,
altE ough a new building. In the worst
condition | have found any state lnsti-
tuition in. The windows were not clean,
the doors were decidedly dirty, and
there were bad odors many places, and
hired male help. At various places In
the basement and under the porch are
waste materials and rubbish. so dtsar-
ranged and heaped as 10 greatly In
crease the fire risk.
I found the COW harm dirty. although
IL Is new building equipped with
steel stalls and cement floors The
floor stahleyard. although on high
gravel hill and easy OF perfect drain
age was soggy and unsightly.
There $. ems 10 he no excuse for these
conditions. The help numbers one TO
each two and one half patients l
found eighty-one patients In the insti-
tuition. II has capacity for eighty
six III the same lack OF care. OF which
there is abundant evidence in the adj
mtnistratlon building, Is true OF the
professional and medical sides OF the
Institution. conditions are deplorahle
The cost per patient is between twelve
and thirteen dollars per week. which Is
above the average end seems excessive.
and especially unless the attention and
treatment given are unusually pain
stalking I do NOT know what kind OF
care Is given 20 the incineration OF
sputa but / am fearful there Is a gen,
eral laxity The institution at Howell
Is now and should be In perfect condi-
ton.
Your board is required ny law TO
meet semi annually at the sanatorium.
However / understand you have met
almost every month. which Is commend
able: and from this feel sure that you
will be more than willing TO undertake
anything that will lead TO an improve
ment In the manage ment OF the insti-
tuition I am sure you Will be pleased
10 give the condition OF the institution
and It's management your most careful
attention In order that most desir-
able Improvement may be obtained.
I found Dr. Pierce, the superinten-
dent, a most afablt and courteous
young gentleman. and ! see no reason
why he may not be made good man
Tor Tho plHce n standards there are
elevated and he Is compelled 10 work
up TO them