Evening star., 1947-12-29

for patients with communicable dis
eases, two and half hours for
pediatrics patients, one and a half
hours for medical patients and al
most three hours for obstetrical
patients.
DR.. Wortis repeatedly cited the
"hazards" Of archaic glass fix
lures" He said he was Informed
that the last suicide In the division
occurred two years ago. He COM
mented that it was most fortunate
that there have not been more such
serious mishaps in view OF the
architectural arrangement OF the
wards and the shortage OF nursing
and attendant personnel"
Beds Closely Packed.
He said the beds on one ward
were so closely packed together that
they violated "the most elementary
health rules"
Under these crowded conditions,
he found that prisoners, adolescents,
children, alcoholics and elderly dis
turbed patients were all placed to-
gether in a single ward room, and
that there was no adequate segre-
CATION for patients with contagious
diseases or tuberculosis.
DR.. Wortis pointed out that the
elevators have never run and that
patients must walk or be carried up
and down narrow stairWayS, which
he said is especially hazardous
for stretcher cases.
Example Offered.
AS a typical example of the run
down condition of the psychopathic
wards, he cited a small wire-incloSed
porch where, he said, the protective
grating was so broken that 1t fell
apart when he put his hand
against it.
DR.. Wortis reported that 1t was
impossible to use the women's
hydrotherapy rooms in rainy
weather because of the leaky roof
and that the mems physiotherapy
layout could be described in the
one word "deplorable."
He found that no new equipment
had been provided in occupational
therapy for five years, that the
occupational therapy rooms were
drab and that "all activities OF this
department have been directed
toward making articles to be used
by the hospital, with apparently
little concern for the individual
needs of the patient, except mas
much as they coincide with the
needs of the hospital"
Praises Staff.
He marvelled that the staff does
as we'll as it does under the circum-
! stances.
What is needed is not another
survey but direct action to correct
this unhealthy and deplorable sit
uation,' DR.. Wortis declared. "An-
other survey can not substitute for
adequate appropriations to correct
these defects"
/ Alternatives Cited.
| Commissioner Mason said the
Commissioners have the alternative
of recommending additional appro-
priations for the psychopathic di-
vision when the 1949 District bud
get is considered by Congress in the
spring, or asking for a deficiency
appropriation Immediately after
Congress returns. He said he IA
vored the latter step because 1t
would be quicker, but the decision
is up to the three Commissioners.
Mr.. Fowler, he said, is determin-
ing whether Gallinger Hospital has
any money left which can be di-
verted to improvement of the psy-
chopathic division.
He said Mr.. Fowler's report will
cover what has been appropriated
and how Gallinger has spent the
money, and probably will recon-
mend increases in personnel and
assignments to the psychopathic di-
vision of personnel now being used
in other parts of the hospital.
AS he completed the report, DR..
Wortis said he felt so strongly the
need for improvement at Gallinger
that he would be willing to testify
to this need before congressional
committees.