The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-11-18

SoclaIe with the Otner inmates, anC
that the sick be properly cared for
, at all times; the Immediate purchas-
ing of new mattresses and destroying
of all that are soiled, torn and rem
dered useless at this time; an up-to-
| date septic disposal sewerage plant
| with competent plumbers and angin-
GERS in charge OF same special atten-
| ton being given to more modern toll
| cts and plumbing on the colored side,
and that a dietitian skilled in the value
| and preparation of food be employed.
In conclusion, we are glad to say
| that, while all cases have not been
discharged conditions generally have
greatly improved since the abatement
| of the epidemic, and all things consid-
cred, we feel that the death rate Of
this institution during this scourge
| was REMARKABLY low
Respectfully submitted,
N. A. BALTZELL, NJ. D.,
Attending Physician.
w. M. BEVIS, NJ. D.,
/ Superintendent Florida Hospital for
| Insane
r. A. WILLS, NJ. D.,
State Prison Physician.
BOARDS STATEMENT.
Aside from the lack of proper facili-
ties and equipment, which this COM
not be provided until funds are made
available, the conditions as reported
were found to be caused in a large
measure by a most extraordinary
epidemic, which for a seaon not only
had this institution within it's throes.
but every city and community through
out the country as well.
At the time of the visit of DR.. G.
A. K1ock, U. S. P. H., to the school,
the whole institution was stricken
with influenza and more than So per
cent of the inmates, officers and en-
ployees had been or were down with
it. causing a condition that could not
be relieved quickly. While the pur-
pose of this board is not to defend
any shortcomings due to lack of proper
management, it does not feel that
when a statement is made about any
institution under unusual circum-
stances, and when ondictions are abb
normal, reference thereto should be
made in order that the people may
know the true situation.
cRITlcISE kLock.
Had DR.. K1ock told the whole story
about this institution, this statement
would hardly be necessary. Did DR..
K1ock say that the superintendent
was not a well man? That the as
sistant superintendent. in charge of
the colored department, with all his
family, were stricken? Did he say that
one Of the matrons died and remain
ed for hours without attention because
the few not in bed had to give aid
to the living? Did he say that the at
tending physician the only doctor on
his feet in Marianne and surrounding
comm unity, had ten times as much
to do as any human being could per-
form? Did he say that the school was
without water for lack of help to run
the pump, causing the sewers to
choke? Did he say that sixty eight
white out of sixty-nine white boys
and one hundred and ninety eight
colored boys were down practically at
one time? Did he say that the dining
room used by the negroes, with
cement floor, was temporarily con- |
verted into a hospital by physician, |
to relieve the congestion in their DOM |
itory?
FLOOR BEDS TEMPORARY.
Did he say that as soon as the cots
could be secured these boys were
taken off the cement floor? Did he
say that the good people of Mariana |
had been acting as nurses at this
institution until the needs of their |
own families and surroundings took |
them away? Did he say that the board |
of commissioners of state institutions |
upon notice, when nurses
or physicians could not be secured
sent the superintendent of /
the hospital for the insane, with a |
corps of nurses, to relieve the stua-
ton? Did tbs health emiSsaFy answer
the call Of humanity by throwing off
his coat, stepping into the breach and
trying to relieve those suffering boys?
Did he notify the board of commits
soners of state institutions that their
personal services were urgently needed
there? Did he remain and with his
own hands administer water to the
parching lips Of the sick? Did he take
his pad and write prescriptions that
might be used to soothe their fevered
brows? No, MOI This man on mis-
sion of mercy and in the pay OF the
state board of health did none of these
things, but instead took his pad and
wrote sensational story for the press
and did not tell the truth.
COMPARED TO HUN. s.
It must be remembered that the