New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-20
CURING CHILDREN WITH SUNSHINE
An Account Of the Campbell Cottages for
ConvaIescents

What to do with convalescent children on
discharge from a hospital ward is a problem
that has been admirably solved by the New
York Hospital-or, TO be exact, the Society
Of the New York Hospital the name under
which Il was organized In 177l--through the
medium of its plant at White Plains, known
as the Campbell Convaleseent Cottages for
Children.
The need of this supplementary form OF
humane effort had long been recognized.
Pressure for admission 70 already crowded
wards makes necessary the discharge OF pa
tients as soon as practicable, in order that
their places may be taken by others having
greater need Of medical and surgical faeili-
ties. Frequently, too, the condition Of the
patlent himself Is such that country air and
special convalescent treatment are Of much
more benefit than continuance in bed in a
hospital ward
Selection and admission Of children to the
eonvalescent home are in charge Of the so.
cial service department Of the New York
Hospital, the most recently established and
one Of the most active of It's departments
Twice week the auto bus (Which may be
converted into an ambulance al need brings
its load of discharged patients to the hospi-
tai in Sixteenth Street and returns to White
Plains with fresh load Of children, big and
little. The new patients are chosen first
from the children's wards of the hospital;
then from the out-patient departments elm.
les and then from homes under the SUPER
vision Of the social service department Any
vacancies remaining are filled from Bellevue
and other hospitals. At times there are 100
names on the waiting list, however, and many
more beds could be filed IL they were avail
able.
Arriving at the cottages, the chlld's clothing
Is stored, and he Is given complete outfit.
specially designed for life In the country.
Six o'clock Is the rising time, with breakfast
at 7. followed by such medical attention as
may be necessary. Then there is a sewing
class for the older girls, after which two
hours are spent in play out OF doors. The
Younger children also have their kinder
garten. Dinner at noon is followed by more
outdoor recreation; then the older girls 90
70 school until 4, and another play period
lasts until the o'clock supper. An evening
of games, dancing, ETC., rounds out the day,
and at o'clock all prepare for bed, the busy
dav making for sound and refreshing sleep.
Fresh air and sunshine are the big features
Of the children's lives. The disciplinary side
of life is Of the kindliest reproof Is spar
inply administered, but real INSTRUMENTATION
is checked firmly, but gently; physical force
is not permitted as a corrective.
Like other successful enterprises, tho
Campbell Cottages have incurred the penalty
which expanding success involves They need
larger pecuniary resources. The generosity
of the Misses Campbell has been supplement-
cd from time 10 time by the use OF the So
ciety general funds. The buildings have
been improved and enlarged there has also
been a heavy charge for maintenance; dur
ing 1915 S31193 was expended on malnten-
ance. and S5,494 on alterations and extern
sions. These figures, analysed, give daily
cost per child of s1.29, which may fairly
be called low In the eight years ended De-
cember 81, 1915, the cottages cared for o'So5
children and 1902 women, total Of 6,leo
patients, with q total number Of hospital
DAYS Of $4,000.
The cottages most pressing want at tnis
time is larger playroom for the children
: This could be obtained by extending the
nresent playroom about thirty feet across
the court and building over II small play
room for the very little children. TINS TWO
story extension would cost about s3'OOV. An
other teacher for the children is also needed
And constant need is OF an adequate en-
dowment fund for the maintenance OF the
oo.taoes that would enable the society 20
apply all of its present income TO the grow
inc requirements of its two city hospitals