Evening star., 1938-09-14
FREEDMEN'SGETS
SbDO,0)D SUM FOR
TUbERCULAR UNIT
P. W. A. Grant Will Provide
150 Beds Exclusively for
CoIored Patients.
QUARTERS FOR NURSES
ALSO TO BE INCLUDED
New X-Ray Equipment and an
Ambulance Being Procured by
Congressional Funds.

mems Hospital was given today in
the form Of q 100000 allotment Of
public works funds for construction
Of a new tuberculosis unit of 150-
bed capacity for the exclusive service
Of colored patients.
Since congressional appropriations
for the maintenance OF Freedmen's
Hospital are administered by the In
terror Department. the allotment in
this instance received presidential ap-
proval as Federal expenditure.
Administrator Ickes' interest in the
welfare Of Washington's only colored
hospital went so far As to order a
special health survey conducted at
the institution last winter. Today's
authorization Of the new tuberculosis
unit, according to DR.. T. Edward
Jones, surgeon in chief at Freedmen's,
follows one of the recommendation
for improvements resulting from the
survey.
The new unit, which will have to
be started by January l under p. w. A..
regulations, will be thoroughly mod
ern unit equipped with laundry,
kitchen, dining room. X-ray service
and meteorological laboratories. Freed
mems Hospital now has total bed
capacity Of 376.
Nurses TO Have Quarters.
Quarters for nurses also will be pro-
vided and tunnel will connect the
tuberculosis unit with the main build
ing. Plans are in such shape as to
enable construction to start we'll with
in the time limit.
Freedmens Hospital graduates about
SO per cent of the colored physicians
in this country each year. 1t is
closely affiliated with the Medical
School Of Howard University. The
new tuberculosis unit is required not
only for the diagnosis and treatment
OF pulmonary diseases, it was pointed
out, but also to give internes addi-
tional experience in tubercular cases
It will also afford the medical stu
dents Of Howard University an op-
portunity to attend clinics at the
institution.
With the colored population Of
Washington contributing to the tuber-
culosis rate more than any other race.
colored patients now are being sent
to the Glenn Dale tuberculosis Hos
pital and to Gallinger Hospital. on
cials at Freedmen's have long felt
the need Of special unit at that
institution. especially in view of the
Medical School. for the treatment of
tuberculosis patients.
Ickes Authorized Survey.
Freedmen's Hospital came very much
in public notice last winter when the
health needs Of the District were inves-
tigated, as a result of public clamor,
by the United States Public Service.
Secretary Ickes authorized an inde-
pendent survey under the direction
Of the budget officer into the needs Of
Freedmen's Hospital.
Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt was
among many prominent Washing
tonians who visited the hospital last
winter and saw for themselves how
handicapped it was by lack Of ade-
quate personnel and a deterioration Of
the building over many years.
Congress authorized a 100000 ap-
preparation to provide few additional
staff members and make urgently
needed repairs at the hospital. This
was not sufficient. and supplemental
estimate of $4,000 was made after
public-spirited citizens appeared in
the hospitals behalf.
DR.. Jones said today the $780, 900
grant from p, w. A. will give the hos
pital an excellent tuberculosis unit.
Congressional appropriations have not
kept pace with the institutions growth,
he said, although the outlook for the
future is probably brighter than at any
time in Freedmen's history.
Repairs Being Made.
Under the appropriation made at
the last session the roof of the build
ing Is being repaired, new plumbing
provided and q new coat OF paint is
being applied. Some Of the plumbing
at Freedmen's was nearly so years old,
constituting a health hazard as we'll
as a constant danger from the threat
of bursting pipes.
New X-ray equipment is being added
and also new ambulance was pro-
vided for from congressional funds.
Large gaps in the roof at the hos
pital last winter made it necessary to
remove patients from several of the
wards on the top floor during heavy
rains.
The congressional funds. DR.. Jones
said. also provided % additional per-
sonnel. including 10 nurses. Even with
that increase, he said that personnel
Spelled with capital letters" Is the
greatest need Of the institution.
More Funds Needed.
Completion Of q new tuberculosis
unit will necessitate increased funds
for personnel. These will not be pro-
vided until the 194l fiscal year.
All these mGtters were threshed