New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-17
Plan Adopted to Increase
Efficiency of Health
Department.
ROOF GARDEN FOR
USE OF EMPLOYEES
Free Doctors, Vacation Camps,
Lectures and Instruction
To Be Provided.

Following the example set by some
Of the greatest corporations in the
country. the Department Of Health has
established welfare department Its
aim is 10 develop the highest degree OF
efficiency in the working force. elimi-
nate preventable diseases, reduce the
amount Of time lost by employees dis
honestly pleading illness and encour-
age employees to make suggestions for
increasing the efficiency of the depart
ment Also it is believed it Will be
means Of bringing into closer relation
ship the employees and officers of the
department.
The Health Department is the frst
arm Of the citys service to do such
work on so comprehensive a scale. ii
has already attracted so much atten-
ton from persons prominent in welfare
work that Mayor Mitchell IS TO be asked
to create department of welfare
based on the plans adopted by the De
partment of Health. TO watch over the
great army Of city employees.
Plans Drawn by Miss Whitcher.
II was on Thursday at meeting OF
the different heads Of the bureaus IN
the department that the welfare plans
formulated by Miss Caroline Whitcher,
who has been long engaged In social
service work in the department, were
acted on by Commissioner Lederle. 1t
had been discussed informally and
called to the attention of the National
civic Federation, the officers of which
heartily Endorsed il. An executive or
der from Mr. Lederle now sets ii firmly
on its feet.
DR.. Charles F. Bolduan. assistant to
the general medical officer. who formu-
lated plans which have been adopted
for reorganization of health activities
in the State Department Of Health,
aided Miss Whitcher in the work.
Briefly and officially the plans include;
investigating all absences over
forty-eieht hours.
Keeping accurate records of the
physical condition of the individual en-
ployes. both at the time of entering
employment and through their term Of
service. Medical and surgical treat
ment for minor ailments.
provision and supervision of suit
able retiring room for women.
"Provision and supervision of suit
able luncheon room.
"Equpping and maintaining an open
air roof garden for the use of employees
during the luncheon hour.
organizing A vacation camp for
women
The delivery Of lectures on subjects
Of personal hygiene Also lectures on
the activities Of the Department Of
Health and other city departments
pending the establishment Of a school
Of sanitary science in connection with
the proposed bureau of public health
education.
"A reading room in connection with
the library"
Provision for Medical Examinations.
Upon entering the department each
person will be examined by medical
inspector before beginning probation
arv service. Employees will be subject
70 yearly medical examination in the
nature of an interview. A record Will
be kept Of smallpox vaccination and
typhoid incubation.
4 medical inspector will be on duty
each day from 10 $50 o'clock TO adj
wise any who may wish TO consult
nhvsician. a medical inspector or
nurse will be on duty for emergency
medical and surgical treatment for
minor ailments throughout the day.
one Of the interesting features of the
educational work in connection WIN
the new plans is the assisting OF en-
ploves 10 prepare for promotion ex-
aninations. Lessons on the activities
of the department will be given from
time to time, and books Of practical
value to the employees in the perform
ance Of their official duties will be
available TO all.
There has been some work along the
lines now to be followed Systematically
but il was never co-ordinated and
lacked direction.