The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
COUNTY INSTITUTIONS

~NNNNNNNNAAb jury.
 COUNTY INSTITUTIONS
 "A committee from our body visited the county almshouse, county farm and the Hillrnan hopsital on February 26. We found the premises in good, clean and heathful condition, and that plenty of beds are provided, with ample supply of sheets, blankets and comforts for the inmates in these institutions, We found the fire protection at the almshouse to De inadequate and that the institution is very much in need of new fire hose, and we Recommend tbat a new fire hose be provided at once. In this connection we desire to call the attention of the board of revenue to the fact that the preceding grand jury recommended that better fire protection for the almshouse be provided, and we are transmitting to the board of revenue copy of this re- port, through the solicitor of Jefferson county There is very little to be recorn- rnended in the way of improvement at the almshouse except that recornmenda- tion of Dr. Love, physician in charge Of the almshouse, in regard to the tuoercu- losis ward, that it be removed to a more isolated place, and that the same be made more adequate for the care of tu- tercClar inmates.
 HILLMAN HOSPITAL
 We find that the Hillman hospital is a great institution. and is doing a magnificent work in an up-to date manner under the supervision of Dr. E. P Hogan and his assistants. It is now a Class A hospital but in order to maintain this standard, it Is very ne cessary from time to time to secure new and up-to-date equipment. One of the greatest needs at present is the new and modern X-ray machine, as the oney that is now in use. purchased in 1913 is no longer being manufactured, and parts cannot be purchased for its upkeep and it is not such machine as is required to properly do the work in such hospital as is the Hillman. We would, therefore. recommend that a new and modern X-ray machine be purchased forthwith.
 Another department at the Hillman hospital is the pathological depart ment which we find to be in need os equipment and material that will ena- bie each subdivision of this depart ment to be maintained with a high de- gree of efficiency.
 We also find that some of the floors a, the Hillman hospital. especially the top floor, should be recovered with linoleum. Some provision should also be made to furnish improved lighting facilities in the operating room, .n ad. dition to the regular system, as under the present arrangement there is no way in which to meet such an emer- gency as would arise by sudden cut. ting off of the electric current.
 NURSES HOME
 We find on account of the present inadequacy of the nurses home, that it is necessary for the nurses to occupy about two wards of the hospital space, which should be devoted to the ac- commodation of patients. and that the present nurses home cannot provide sufficient accommodations for the nurses needed in the hospital; and we recommend that new, modern, fire- proof nurses home be erected to pro- vide for the care of a sufficient num- Der of nurses now employed or that may be necessary in the future, owing to the growth of the hospital, and tha. iE the construction of this new home it be SC arranged that two nurses may occupy one room, instead of placing a great number of nurses or students in ward so that it will be more homelike and a greater inducement held out by the better means provided in this way for the employment of nurses to meet the present demand for trained nurses.
 COUNTY COURTHOUSE
 This grand jury spent f3 days in the courthouse. and we have had ample opportunity to view and inspect and observe the conditions and the build ing. and we do not hesitate to say that our courthouse is disgrace to the citizens. voters and property owners of Jefferson county; that. it is not in keeping with the immense population and wealth of this county; that it is unsanitary poorly ventilated, not well lighted, badly arranged. and furnishes poor accommodations and conveniences to people whom the people have elected to do the work required of them in the various offices, and to witnesses and jurors who are called upon to ap- pear in court for the trial of cases and we desire to recommend that the board of revenue of this county take immediate steps looking to. the cree ton of new courthouse, either through the medium of bond hssue or otherwise, as it may see best.
 COUNTY JAIL
 This grand jury as body, inspected the county jail, which we found 10 be well kept, very clean and sanitary and that great pains have been taken by the sheriff and his assistants to make the jail as comfortable and as pleasant for the prisoners as Is nos sible for jail to be- We further find that the jail has been recently i'm