Evening star., 1948-01-11
Health Officers
To Deny Neglect
0fGa||inger
Department to Reply
TO Wortis Findings,
Urge Improvements

SS Improvements
The Health Department this week
will issue a report officially chal-
lenging charges that it has neglected
Gallinger Hospitals psychopathic
division and calling for an up-to-
date psychiatric service for WASH
ington's mentally i'll.
The report comes in response to
District Budget Officer Walter Fow-
ler's statement to the commissioners
that the hospital administration
with their flrst-hand knowledge of
conditions and with adequate funds,
should never have permitted this
situation to arise"
Both Mr.. Fowler and Commits
sioner Guy Mason have said that
the reference to hospital admins
tration included both Health Ofiicer
George C. Ruhland and DR.. Daniel
l.. Seckinger, his co-ordinator of
health and hospitals.
New Facilities Sought.
DR.. Rutland has asked DR.. Seek
niger to collect documentary sup
port for his contention that the
Health Department repeatedly but
unsuccessfully has requested funds
to improve the psychopathic di-
vision.
On the positive side, the Health
Department report will stress the
need for new psychiatric build
ing, clinic facilities, provision for
mentally i'll children and realloca-
ton of positions to raise salaries.
The report, 1t was learned, will
emphasize that a city of this size
should have a strong psychiatric de-
partment, serving all types of cases.
1t will argue against Mr.. Fowlers
contention that prompt transfer of
extreme mentally disturbed patients
to st Elizabeths Hospital will les
sen the need for specialized service
at Galiinger. .
Report Expected Tuesday.
The report, expected Tuesday, will
De the Health Departments first
official comment on the Gallinger
survey prepared by DR.. Samuel B.
Wortis, chief of psychiatry at Belle
vue Hospital in New York, as well
as on the District Building reaction
to the Wortis report.
In effect, the Health Department
report will agree with DR.. Wortis'
statement that another survey can
not substitute for adequate appro-
priations to correct these defects u
It will review the surveys of the
~psychopathic division made in 1888
and 1914, check on how many recon-
mendations in these surveys, actu-
ALL have been carried out and pro-
pole action instead Of more sur
vevs.
N passing, the report will touch
on other needs at the hospital, in
cluding a laboratory building, a
pediatrics building, and the tstab-
lis.9ment of all the hospitals clinics
under one roof.
Chief Doctor to Be Chosen.
A decision also is expected this
week on the appointment Of a new
chief medical officer at Gallinger
Hospital and hospital officials won't
be surprised if the job goes to DR.
George J. Maresh, youthful Boston
City Hospital physician.
DR.. Maresh, less than five years
out of medical school, was inter-
viewed Friday by most of his pros
pective associates, and tomorrow
GalIinger Supt. Alvin r. Sweeney
will seek their advice on whether
to offer him the $7,581-a-year ap-
pointment.
DR.. Sweeney last night indicated
his own impression of the Boston
doctor had been favorable, and said
he expected to announce his decl-
sion after consultation with DR.
Rutland, Gallinger staff members
and officials of the George Wash
ington and Georgetown Medical
Schools, who furnish the visiting
staff of the city hospital.
Leave to Be Paid on.
If DR.. Maresh is offered the job
and accepts it, he will not take over
his new duties before the middle OF
March, DR.. Sweeney said.
His predecessor, DR.. Joseph T
Roberts, left Gallinger in the middle
of December to take $4,000 post
as dean of the University of Arkan-
sas Medical School, but DR.. Roberts
had a large amount of accumulated
leave, the Gallinger superintendent
explained.
He said the hospitals budgetary
situation would not allow him to
place another doctor on the payroll
for the same position until DR.. Rob-
erts' leave has expired
During the interim, DR.. Sweeney
stated, two chief residents are carry
ing on the duties of the chief medi-
cal officer.
Papers Prepared for johnson.
Meanwhile, DR.. Sweeney reported,
papers are being prepared for the
employment of DR.. Donald G. john
son of New York to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation Of DR..
Leslie v. Dill. head of the obstetrics
and gynecology department. DR..
johnson was interviewed Thursday
and is expected to take the job in
about a month, according to the
Gallinger superintendent.
Civ \A/4oLe A