Evening star., 1937-09-15
GLENN DALE UNIT
|SDED|CATEDW|TH
IMPRESSIVE RITES
Tuberculosis Sanatorium Is
Described as Most Up to
Date by Dr.. Parran.
EQUIPMENT INSPECTED
BY DISTRICT OFFICIALS
221 Adult Patients Will Be Trans.
ferred Tomorrow and
Friday.

The Districts new s2,150O00 tuber.
culosis sanatorium at Glenn Dale, Md.
described by Surg. Gen. Thomas Par
ran, Jr.. of the United States Public
Health Service as the most up-to-date
and complete institution of its kind
In the country. was dedicated this
afternoon with impressive ceremonies.
"A host of District officials and cit-
liens prominent IN welfare work at
tended the ceremony at 2 o'clock and
inspected the splendid equipment of
the institution, which DR.. Parran
stressed in his dedication address
would be of great aid in reducing the
mortality rate of tuberculosis in the
District. DR.. George C. Ruhland,
District health officer, presided at the
exercises and Commissioner Melvin
G. Hazen expressed the satisfaction of
District officials over the completion
OF the Glenn Dale institution, which
is to be operated hereafter as single
unit for adults and children.
The 221 adult patients, who have
been cvrowded into quarters with in
adequate facilities at the 29-year-old
tuberculosis Hospital at Thirteenth
and Upshur streets, will be transferred
into the new, modern and airy sana-
torium tomorrow and Friday. DR..
Rutland said four Army Medical Corps
ambulances will begin transferring 81
bed-ridden patients tomorrow. The
remaining 160 patients are to make the
trip by bus.
Buildings Co-ordinated.
New buildings being dedicated today
are co-ordinated with the existing
tuberculosis hospital for children at
Glenn Dale. The sanatoria group as
q whole, including a nurses home
and laundry, constitutes . small city
complete with necessary services Of
all kinds, officials said.
DR.. Rutland said the new 400
bed adult hospital and the 300-bed
children's hospital will be operated
as merged institution, with neither
building restricted to either class Of
patients.
Opening Of the new sanatorium
marks the elimination of efforts that
have progressed slowly since 1908 to
provide adequate care for victims Of
tuberculosis. There was no special
disqualification for tuberculosis patients
unit that year, when the hospital on
Upshur street was opened with . ca
pacity OF 100 beds.
At that time it was considered one
OF the most up-to-date institutions in
the country and served satisfactorily
for several years. However, the dis
ease increased as Washington's popu-
lation grew, and the hospital became
overcrowded. Minor changes were
made to increase its bed capacity to
ITS. This proved inadequate, ana
the Upshur street hospital has been
overcrowded for the last few years.
with an average occupancy Of between
220 and 225 and long waiting list.
Children's Unit in 1884.
After Is years of agitation for a
special tuberculosis sanatorium for
children the childrens building at
Glenn Dale was constructed In 1884
and enlarged the next year.
A P. w. A. loan or grant of s2.150-
BOO finally was made available in
September, 1884, for building the
new adult sanatorium and other
necessary structures at Glenn Dale.
The buildings were planned after ex.
[ensive study of several modern sana-
'oria in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio
and New York, incorporating the
oest features of each.
The adult sanatorium is set back
about $50 feet from the highway
which divides it from the children,s
and is on the highest part of
The Glenn Dale property. 1t faces the
southeast and is so arranged that all
rooms will receive direct
sometime during the day.
Administrative Offices, medical IL
'rary x-ray laboratory, staff and
physicians dining room and other
rooms are located on
he first floor, occupying about one
bird of the floor space. The re-
naming area and all of the second.
bird and fourth floors are devoted
ntirely to the care and treatment of
PATIENTS. In the basement are kftch-
ms, dishwashing rooms, dressing
ooms, etc.
The fifth floor contains the operat-
ng rooms, dentists Office, laboratory.
fertilization rooms and accommoda-
ions for patients who use the larse
un decks on the roof areas over the
ourth floor ceiling.
All patients, except those whom it
necessary to isolate, will have
pace for their beds on porches. The
orches are screened and are equipped
'itn mechanically controlled steel
which give 100 per cent
pening but which can be closed
uickly in case of a sudden storm.
SERVICES