The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-10-15
Conditions Must Be Improved
or License VIII Be Lost.
Five Days Given To Make the
Home Pass Inspection.
LAW NOT COMPLIED WITH
Florence Brown SherDorn Is
sues Long Instructions.
Children Must Have Proper
Food and Plenty of 1t.

Orrcers OF the state board of health
today threatened to cancel the license
of the Topeka Orphans Home. Man
aging officers of the home were today
advised that they have just five days
in which to place a responsible per-
son in charge of the home" and to
make at least six specified betterments
and reforms in conditions and man.
agement- The notice is fiat threat
to close the home.
In a statement which went to the
board of trustees of the home today,
charges of bad conditions by Miss
Alice Andrews were substantiated.
Miss Andrews was deposed following
her exposure of alleged conditions.
The statement and demands of the
state board of health were made by
DR.. Florence Brown Shurborn, chief
of the division of child hygiene. Dis
cussion of conditions is based on in
vestigations conducted under direc-
ton of the board.
Must Furnish Good Food.
Officers of the home must provide
nourishing food and plenty of it.
They must keep a record of all food
served. Sanitation must be improved.
Relief from over-crowded sleeping
conditions must be provided. Careful
attention must be given to the comfort
and play room facilities of the chill
dren. Individual towels, wash cloths,
combs. drinking cups and tooth
brushes must be provided. woman
of intelligence, who is fitted by per-
sonality and experience to train and
care for children" must be employed.
And there are just five days in which
| to work out these reforms. Other
wise the license will be withdrawn.
In instructions issued to the board
F., of trustees today, Doctor Shurborn
/ said
Instructions Issued.
! "You are hereby notified that the Chill
infringement Mt the above address fails to
7 comply with the provisions Of Section 5,
Senate .s Rim ', No a2s which bill E,Fsviaes
This law expressly states in Sec. 3
that all such homes shall be conducted In
, every department with strict regard to
the health. comfort and safety of inmates
:, The State Board of Health deems that this
| clause is being violated In the aboye speei-
! fled ehildrens home in the following par
| ticuars:
Il over crowding. Nine boys were
found sleeping In a room which should
moved to one of the sleeping porches
| to the room at present designated as the
40 Comfort The glasse, in porch is
| not substitute for an indoor playroom
! make play comfortable or safe in cold
weather unless dressed for outdoor play.
1t is imperative to the comfort, training
! they have n cheerful, reasonably spacious.
properly warmed day room with a fund
of books, games and playthings to which
they have free access at all proper times.
1T is suggested that the room now re-
served for the exclusive use OF the board
for n few hours each month meets these
requirements and should at once be APP
, propriated to their use.
-. Diet. minimum milk ration of 'one
pint of milk per day per child, with three
or four glasses Of milk per day for chill
dren nnder five, is stipulated by all pres
of children. This milk ration should he
reinforced by a generous variety. Of well
cooked cereals, vegetables fresh and cooked,
and fruits dried. fresh or canned. with
eggs and meat sufficient to make up any
deficiency in the milk ration. Children
who have plenty of milk, some eggs and
a proper variety of other foods. need little
or no meat.
menu book kept in which shall be entered
an account Of all food served to the chill
dren Of the home. together with date and
and the amount of milk actually used each
day. This book is 10 be open 10 inspection
by official representatives OF the state
board Of health
%! Unsanitary Conditions.
~ Sanitation. The outdoor pfiyy
) should be made fly proof and should be
The basement also was in an insanitary
condition at the time Of the inspection.
- Section further states that every
inmate AMI employe shall be possessed OF
AN individual towel. wash cloth, comb and
individual drinking cup or sanitary bulb
/
: other than infants. such articles TO be kept
at all times in cleanly and sanitary con-
/ dition.' At the date of the most recent
inspection and reports, these provisions
have not been fulfilled.
&c. There should be woman of intelli-
gence who is fitted by personality and ex-
perience to train and care for children,
! In charge OF the home. 1t is distinctly
unjust to che children to expect one woman
to do the duties of home Of this size and
I give even a minimum amount Of attention
to their personal needs and training. II
is also distinctly unjust TO any woman "a
expect her to attempt to do this.
"You are instructed to place response.
BILE person in charge Of the home within
five days from receipt Of this notice.
Section Is of said law stipulates that
= ( specified changes must be completed with,
In five DAYS from receipt Of notice. Al
:. ! the end of this time inspection will again
: be made at this home and failure to meet
[ these requirements satisfactorily ac
e count for failure to do so. will result n
: refusal to issue license to operate said
e home.