The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-11-13
DR.. ROSSER REPORTS
ON THE ALMSHOUSE
Also Makes Recommends
tons on County Jail
TO BOARD OF HEALTH
Thinks Buildings at Almshouse in
Satisfactory Condition, But
Thinks Money Spent in Re-
pairs Is Wasted

Thinks Money Spent in Re-
pairs Is Wasted
DIR. Fl. n. Rosser, health officer of JEFF
ferson county. has filed a special repori
on the county almshouse and jail viii
the jefferson County Medical society, he
being an appointee Of that body.
DR. Rosser states that he was pronntel
to make the special report owing to tn,
severe criticism of these institutions by
recent grand jury. He states that a
new almshouse should De built, but thai
the present buildings should not be re-
paired lie says the inmates are kinds
treated ard adequately fed. and that the
Institution is well cared for by an eff
ficient corps of managers. He states that
the board of revenue has always cheer
fully complied with the suggestions made
nv him and by the committee of health
The following copy of the report was
sent to the board of revenue;
Mr.. President and Members Of the Board
of Revenue. of jefferson County, Dir.
minghan. Ala;
"Gentlemen-I feel it incumbent upon
me as the health officer of Jefferson
county To make a special report as T.
the condition of the jail and almshouse
of Jefferson county as a severe criti-
cism of these institutions has been lately
made by recent grand jury.
Almshouse
II would respectfully state that q
monthly inspection Of this institution has
been made either by myself or the as
sistant health officer tDr Board each
month for the past twelve his, and
the conditions have been so exception
ally good that I have not thought II
necessary TO make a special report, rs
my annual report of 1911 embraced all
OF the salient conditions existing in this
institution; at which time / stated that
the aimshouse was inadequate for the
increase in population of this county, and
that il my opinion instead of an aims
house 1t is a hospital for incurables, and
that there should be a new structure
built embracing hospital in its con-
struction SO that there could be sepa-
ration of the unfortunate poor and taose
having ineurable diseases. which has
never beer the case, except for tub arcu-
losis cases which viii be referred to
later in this report
Construction and Appointment
This Institution is a wooden structure
and at the time of its building was large
enough to accommodate all of the indi-
gent who needed care in an institution
of that character From time to time ad-
ditions have been made to accommodate
the increasing number of applicants ap-
plying for asylum owing to the rapid
increase of population of this district
AS now constituted there are sig
wards, two each for white women and
white men. and the same number Tor lht
colored people, eight rooms for tnberculo-
sis patients. one Of which Is admirably
suited for the purpose. and separate
building for the insane; this last laned
ward requires special mention. In NY
first report d9lO l made the following
statement, to-wit: That in its constine-
ton it was relic of medieval tlmes,
when the unfortunate insane were sup
posed to be possessed with devils ana
confined or made outcasts and We're not
considered worthy OF humane treatment.
| was asked TO give solution to the
problem and make suggestions looking
toward an amelioration Of conditions then
existing; upon investigation | ascertained
that the state asylum was more than
full. and that the incurable class of pa
tients we're refused at this institution,
and that the counties were required TO
care for them, and that those who were
incareerated at the almshouse were hope
lessly insane, and in many instances vio-
lent in this dcmeanor, obscene in LAM
guage, and in many instances tearing the
clothing from their bodies, and filthy in
The extreme, as only the demented can be.
Condition as Now Existing
This ward is brick structure sur
rounded by fence; there are 16 COM
partments in the building, one of which
is used as a bath room In witch Is
a porcelain lined bath tub and an ample
supply of both cold and hot water, and
the inmates are required to battle when
necessary for cleanliness, and at least
once a week. Each of the remaining
rooms is provided with a cot and a por-
celain sanitary seat. The bedding and
covering are amply sufficient, and their
food nourishing and of good quality
THE care and treatment of these UNI
fortunates is humane and kind. Every
day. the weather permitting, they are
given liberty Of the enclosure and are
carefully housed at night.
with the above statement and the con-
struction of the almshouse have mo sug
gestion TO make for it's betterment.
Plumbing
"The plumbing Of the entire institution
is Of modern date and has a connection
with the sanitary sewer: bathing facilities
are adequate and hot and cold water
furnished. All of the inmates are required
to battle at least once week.
Heating
"The heating Of the institution is done
by stove and CRATES except the ward
for the insane which is heated by steam
through radiators; the means of heating
IS amply sufficient, and during cold
weather the inmates are kept comfortably
warm.
1.-THE food of the inmates is adequate
and nourishng consisting of the vege-
tables of the season, salt pork, syrup,
cornbread and -four bread. The meat RAJ
ticn is varied at least once a week with
fresh meat Of some variety All is well
cooked and amply sufficient.
81 would respectfully state that at each
INSPECTION of the almshouse that / have
made special inspection of the food
furnished the inmates and that. now near
lv four years, the food furnished has been
found sound and nourishing. except on
two occasions, when | found at one time
the pork furnished was unfit to eat. be-
ing sour: this was condemned and re-
-, ft,a daalar and at anothar time