The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1939-08-19
History OF Thomas
Hospital Center
BY Lyman Burris

annual reports Of national public health stats
tics in recent years have shown Detroit to be at or
near the top Of the list of Americas healthiest cities
Statistics Of our Board q Health reveal steady
decline IN the City's death rate during the past de-
cade. Derots death rate from tuberculosis has been
cut ore-third during this period
This envable record was made possible to some
extent by an adequacy of hospital beds available in
the city. Not so many years ago Detroits tubercu-
oss sanitariums had long waiting lists Of patients
awaiting admission Now we boast of a hospital
bed for every Of tuberculosis discovered
Bethesda and Edyth K Thomas Memorial hos
pas are very proud of the part they privileged to
play in Detroit's health program Having a combined
bed capacity Of two hundred and thirty-three
these units comprise the large. privately-owned Ne
gro hospital in the United States The plant is spac-
ious and airy and the equipment is modern in every
respect In addition to the usual medical surgical
and obstetrical departments which are contained in
Edyth H. Thomas Memorial. Bethesda Hospital is
modern and well-equipped tuberculosis sanitarium
salaried stats of these hospitals number one hun
dred and TWO persons which include physicians
nurses office employees, nurses aids orderlies and
cooks
The medical staff Of the Thomas Hospital center
consists OF thirty active members and thirtythree con-
suants The medical director and vice president of
the organization, DR.. Alfred E. Thomas Jr gradual
ed from Meharry Medical college in 1887 He secured
ElOlSe
aspiring for surgical honors in the realm of operative
therapeutics.
Bethesda hospital is a two-sory structure Of
brick and steel and $50 feet long by 40 feet wide
II contains 1S400 square feet of floor space The ar
chitecture is of design especially advantageous to
the treatment of tuberculosis There are 1874 win
dows IN the building, of which are seven feet
vide In fact, approximately forty-ive per cent of
the entire wall space is glass; with much higher per
Ia wa ~ ardS q
dtoned. Fire escapes and other features of fire.
proof construction provide low fire hazard
The second floor Of Bethesda is given over en-
tirey TO wards and sun porches, with the exception
Of the operation room pharmaceutical laboratory and
X-ray laboratory.
Edyth X Thomas Memorial hospital was found
ed in June, 1887 and is lovingly dedicated to the
memory of Edyth X. Thomas deceased daughter Of
DR. and Mrs. ALT +. Thomas ST.
The institution consists of two buildings and is To-
Gated at 300 E. Garfield avenue The first edfce is
tnree-story structure, with bed capacity Of fifty
The first floor is divided into wards utility ROOM diet
kitchen, laboratories and lobby for the care of med
ical cases.
The second floor in addition to the wards, utility
room and laboratories is equipped with nursery and
delivery room. by virtue of which this floor is de-
voted to obstetrics only
The third floor is allotted to the comfort of the
nurses and staff physicians. The basement is COM
prised Of the kitchen store rooms and dining room.
The second building of Edyth X. Thomas hos
pal was erected in December, 1887 exclusively for
the care of surgical 1t consists of ground
noor and a eli c upstairs. The former comprises
executive Off es lobby, wards operation room, X-ray
roc I, utility room, laboratories. and doctors con-
sulting It's bed capacity is sxty-four. The
clinic is reserved for out patients not i'll enough to
be hospitaized. 1t is equipped with bed capacity
Of fifteen for those who may need to be institution
allied. The clinic is managed by DR.. NJ. r. Stanton
DR.. ALI. f. Thomas, founder and president of this
efficient hospital group, is a graduate of Meharry.
Medical college. He is of Detroits most
full and progressive medical men,
Edyth X. Thomas and Bethesda hospitals are
members of the American Hospital association. the
American College of Surgeons National tuberculosis
society American Medical association, Michigan Hos
pital association, and the Wayne County Medical as
ISOLATION