Evening star., 1947-11-18
Rutland Seeks
Psychiatriists
For rGa||inger
OverhoIser Is Asked
To Help in Locating
Trained Personnel
By Miriam Ottenberq

By Miriom Gutenberg
Health Ofncer George c. Ruhland
has asked DR.. Winfred Overholser,
superintendent of st. E1izabeths
Hospital, for help in trying to locate
trained psychiatrists for work in
the undermined psychopathic di-
vision of Gallinger Hospital, 1t was
learned today.
DR.. Overholser said today that he
wanted to help, but that he did not
think it would be easy to get quail
fled psychiatrists until salaries In
the psychopathic division are raised.
The jobs at Gallinger," DR.. Over
holser said, "are not classified In ac-
cord with the jobs at st. Elizabeths.
I understand 1t is the intent of civil
service to give equal classification
for equal work.
Until salaries are raised at CAL
linger, they are going to have the
gravest difficulties getting anybody
with the proper qualifications"
State Hospitals Pay Better.
DR.. Overholser pointed out that
State hospitals offering good pay
and rated as above standard are
having trouble attracting trained
psychiatrists, and Gallinger has to
compete with them.
He added, however, that he will
try to find qualified men because
Il have been very much troubled
by the situation at Gallinger for a
long time"
Higher classifications for the psy-
chiatrists at Gallinger are included
in the recommendations now being
prepared by hospital officials.
The recommendations reached the
Health Department yesterday but
we're returned for more complete
proposals.
DR.. A. r. Sweeney, superintendent
of Gallinger, said he had completed
the recommendations for staff in
creases and higher pay and hoped
to complete the recommendations
for facilities today.
More Facilities Sought.
The recommendations for i'm
proved facilities, DR.. Sweeney said,
will include requests for comfort
able furniture for the day rooms
on the psychopathic wards, a ma
chine to assist in diagnosis of epi-
lepsy and brain tumors, and\ two
more tubs for continuous baths.
Continuous baths are used in
other hospitals for quieting dis
turbed patients. At Gallinger, dis
turbed patients are manacled to
their beds. Attention was called
to this form of treatment by The
Star in series of articles last week
terming the psychopathic division q
disgrace to Washington"
Although the psychopathic divi-
sion has a number of continuous
tubs. they have been rarely used and
DR.. Sweeney said originally that he
thought the plumbing was out of
order 1t now develops that the tubs
can be operated with only few
repairs. DIR. Sweeney said the addi-
tional tubs are being recommended
for use on the wards housing the
most disturbed patients.
A check at the hospital has also
disclosed that patients in the psyche
pathic wards are given insufficient
clothing and women have to walk
around in their bare feet. DR.
Sweeney said at first that he thought
the clothing was adequate. When
the clothing question was brought
to his attention, however, he checked
and found that the patients in the
psychopathic division do need more
robes and slippers. He said these
will be provided.
Elevators Being Investigated.
Archie Hutson, District director of
construction, said today his ONCE
had begun study of the unused
elevators In the psychopathic wards
and the question of protecting the
radiators in the seclusion rooms,
which also are unused. Cost esti-
mates. based on this study. he said,
probably will be ready within week.
Commissioner Guy Mason sent the
elevator question to Mr.. Hutson after
he was told that nurses and at
tendants have to carry food. linens
and even infirm patients up two or
three flights of steep steps in the
psychopathic buildings because the
elevators have never worked.