Evening star., 1939-12-05
Diagnosis Described
AsBig Problem al
Chi|dren's S Hospital
Dr.. Wall Displays
40 Charts Used in
Treating Youngsters

Sick babies and youngsters not
old enough to tell where it hurts
present one of the problems at
Children's Hospital not generally ex-
perienced at institutions treating
adult patients, DR.. Joseph S. Wall
pointed out yesterday.
AS result, DR.. Wall explained,
children brought to Childrens' Hos
pital for treatment must be under
the strictest observation and must
be given the most exhaustive ex-
aminations in order to obtain an
accurate diagnosis of their ills.
Presenting a display of more than
20 charts used in the treatment OF
youngsters, DR.. Wall explained to
sponsoring members and directors
Of the hospital one phase of the
medical treatment and care afforded
which makes the cost per patient
per day total $486. The occasion
was the annual meeting of cor
porate members and was held at the
hospital.
DR.. Wall traced the progress a
child would make through the hos
pital from the time of its admission,
using the form charts to illustrate
the magnitude of the process OF
diagnosis and treatment. He pointed
out that last year more than 10000
little patients had been provided
with medical care that might not
have been available without the ex-
istence of Childrens' Hospital.
1000 Bed Patients.
All these cases, he explained, were
handled by the 13 resident physi-
clans, primarily, and the 1853 attend
ing physicians and associates. OF
this total, nearly 1000 had been "bed
patients" while the remainder were
treated on visits to the home.
DR.. Wall said permit officer had
been assigned by the Health Depart
ment to the hospital, eliminating the
necessity for a mother to take her
sick child downtown for an admission
pass after preliminary treatment has
been provided.
Earlier, Charles D. Drayton, pres
ident of the Board of Directors of
the hospital, had pointed out the
urgent necessity for an increase in
operating funds for the hospital.
The basic rate paid by the Health
Department, he explained, had been
increased from s248 to $3.50 per
patient per day, but further in
crease is necessary, he said, with a
cost per patient day of $486.
1T is always to be borne in mind"
Mr.. Drayton said, that approx
mately 80 per cent Of the work done
by this hospital is charity.
Unique Nursing Plan.
This hospital, dedicated to the
care of children, occupies unique
and very necessary place in the City
of Washington. The general hos
pital has not the physical equipment
or the trained personnel to adminis-
ter adequately to the sick child; and,
furthermore, the out-patient depart
ment is the only dispensary here
capable of caring for the ambulatory
child.
This department." he continued,
'built up through the years In
equipment and trained workers, nils
q niche in the community, which, to
duplicate elsewhere, would involve
thousands of dollars and years to
develop. Should such an institution
be allowed to pass out Of existence
because of inadequate funds?"
Mr.. Drayton listed deficits of more
than $4,000 in 1887, and $25 900 in
1898, after Community Chest pay
ments had been made. In the six
months ending December 81, 1888,
he said, $4,000 was lost because lack
Of funds by the Chest made it i'm
possible to pay in full for services
= given INDECENT sick children sent to
the hospital by the Chest.
Investment Fund Reduced.
The permanent investment fund,
he declared, had been reduced dur
ing 1899 by $185, 900 paid out to re-
duce Indebtedness to eliminate In
terest charge payments. The pay
ment Of these accounts greatly de-
pleted the fund, which, he said,
should be restored as necessary
reserve. Overdue bills totaling
S55,00O had been paid through the
sale of securities. In connection
with this latter payment, Mr.. Dray-
ton expressed the gratitude of the
corporate members to those credi-
tors who gave discounts on the in
debtedness.
Miss Matte M. Gibson, hospital
superintendent, reported that 3l5
more children were treated at the
hospital in 1899 than in the previous
year. The patients received, how
ever, 543 fewer days care, she
pointed out, which emphasized the
rapid patient turnover and the emer-
gency nature Of the cases. Dis
pensary visits totaled 1,848 more
than in 1898, while an increase Of