The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-20
.HILLMAN EFFORT
BEGUN YEARS Ago
CONTINUED From Page One)

kOOublHuCu EEOui aSO OuCD
impossible to meet the requirements
with money derived from public con.
tributions. The board of managers de-
cided to take the matter up with the
county board of revenue.
The board offered to donate the prop
erty. to the county of jefferson, pro-
vided the hospital would be conducted
as an absolute charity institution for
the people of Jefferson county.
The proposition OF the board of man
ayers was accepted by the county and
the transfer was made the same year.
Since that time the hospital has been
known as the Hillman hospital of JEFF
ferson county, and the expense Of main
tenance has been met by the county.
OyercrOwded In 1912
In 1912 the demands became so great
that it was impossible to care for the
large number of charity patients at the
hospital and at a meeting of the staff
it was decided to put the matter before
the people of the county to secure adj
ditiOnal accommodations. Subsequently
a bond issue of 100000 was voted and
additional land secured. The land con-
Sisted of a half block adjoining the
present hospital, and cost the county
$4,000. 1t was planned to spend the
balance of the authorized money on a
new wing to the old building. APPROX
mately $4,000 was. spent in addition
to the authorized amount in construct
ing the new wing and in undermining
the old building.
Today the same condition exists that
has prevailed at previous times in the
history of the institution. The hospital
has again outgrown its capacity and
patients are being turned away because
of lack of room. This condition is
vouched for in letter to the chairman
of the grand jury as early as August,
1923. in which DIR. f. p. Hogan, SUI
perintendent, calls attention to the
crowded condition.
Under the handicaps that exist, the
work being done by the Hillman staff
is going ahead under the direction of
DIR. Hogan and his assistants. Every.
thing is done that is possible to func-
ton with the highest efficiency despite
congested conditions, and continues to
rate as Glass A institution as CLASH
fled by the American College of Sur
geons.
Accommodations at the nurses home
are not very satisfactory. An old frame
building in very poor repair, situated
on the premises with the hospital. has
been utilized for some time. The build.
ing is in a tumbled down condition and
offers very little attraction to the per.
go when the days work is over.
sonnel oil the nurse staff as place to
Systems Inadequate
Tn fha. hnSnita1 AIo
refrigerating systems are inadequate
according to the statement of the su
perlntendent. Attention of the board OF
revenue was also called in recent let
ter of the superintendent to the inef
ficiency of fire protection inside the
building.
The X-ray laboratory recently re
placed with modern equipment is one OIL
the most up-to-date in the south. This ap
paratus will suffice, it is stated. for I
number of years. The pathological
laboratory also is well equipped. The
big need of the Hillman today is room
Estimates offered by the staff of the
institution are for 500 additional beds
The hospital has been Overcrowded fol
months. 1t has been the policy of thC
staff to admit all applicants, and as 4
result at times it has been actually nee
essary for two patients to be placed il
the same bed. Chronic cases have beer
refused within the past few months be
cause of absolute lack of room. Thi.
is not in keeping with the policy of tn,
institution but has been made necessary
because sof congested conditions.
| The board of managers of the hos