Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium City Hospital by H. W. M.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 30, 1914

Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium City Hospital

By H. W. M.

FOR two years past the Foreign Mission Seminary and the Washington Sanitarium have conjointly operated a dispensary in the Southwest section of Washington for the needy poor. The work of the dispensary has been threefold:—

First, to afford a place for foreign mission appointees, nurses, and postgraduate nurses to gain a practical experience in meeting the poor in their homes, treating their diseases, and also acquainting themselves with the simpler medical and surgical ailments.

Secondly, to provide proper care and treatment for a very needy class of poor, who at a minimum charge have the benefit of physicians' and trained nurses' services.

Thirdly, to constitute a missionary center, an effort being continually put forth to bring a knowledge of the message to a class of people most of whom could be reached in no other way.

From the first, the dispensary has been a success in accomplishments along each of these lines. During the past two years 10,550 treatments were given at the dispensary, besides numerous treatments in the homes; and attendance at from three to four obstetrical cases each week. Several are observing the Sabbath as a result of the house-to-house work of the nurses. The dispensary has been duplicated many times by those who have received a training there, and are now conducting a similar work in the mission fields. Perhaps the greatest drawback to the work has been the cramped quarters of the present building, which is situated in a business section occupied by pawnshops and small stores.

As a natural outgrowth of a prosperous dispensary, the board of management has for several months been looking for a building that would be suitable for a dispensary and also for a hospital. A very desirable building was found, which is shown in the illustration on page 19. It is located not far from the site of the old dispensary, being situated on a corner lot, with no tall buildings surrounding it, thus affording it abundant light and splendid ventilation. Being only a short distance from the bank of the Potomac River, toward which it faces, there is in view from its rooms a beautiful landscape. The building, which has just undergone improvements within and without, was secured for a rental no higher than that which we have been paying for the other dispensary, and this building contains at least four times as much room as the other.

The basement will be occupied by the dispensary. The operating room will be on the third floor. There will be three main wards and a few private rooms for patients, besides kitchen, dining room, and doctor's office.

The requirements for the establishment of a hospital in the city of Washington are very rigid. In the first place, it is necessary to obtain the written consent of two thirds of the householders and their tenants within a radius of one hundred feet, after which the building is inspected by building and medical inspectors. It was with considerable difficulty that the signatures of barely two thirds of the people owning the properties and of the tenants occupying them was obtained to the petition. One of the property owners who refused to sign, held three properties adjoining, and if she should count for three votes, then the necessary two thirds would be lacking. The petition was handed in to the city council, who passed upon it, ruling in favor of the dispensary.

Heretofore, all the cases coming to the dispensary requiring surgery had to be referred to one of the hospitals in the city. Many of those requiring surgical work would have preferred to have their operations at the dispensary had there been the necessary facilities for such work. This building will now provide a place for the medical and surgical care of all such cases, and will also afford a place where Seventh-day Adventists who are unable to go to a sanitarium can be treated. Some of our brethren and sisters have had to enter a city hospital

where they could obtain a free operation at a low weekly rate. All such persons can now come to our own hospital, in which the physicians and nurses are Seventh-day Adventists, and in which the rates will be as low as those of the city hospital, or lower. While the management will be able to quote a very low rate for the surgical and medical care of patients, the hospital will be conducted on a strictly cash basis. All fees, as well as the weekly charges for room and nursing, must be paid in advance.

In order to enable the hospital to maintain good service at such reduced rates, it will be necessary for the institution to have subscriptions and liberal donations. Particularly is this needed in the initial furnishing of the building. Pictures, bedding, dishes, rugs, chairs, furniture, etc., are solicited, and the hospital will appreciate at any time donations of clothing for the poor. Dr. L. E. Elliott, under whose careful management the dispensary has become self-supporting during the last few months, is superintendent of the new hospital, which is located at the corner of Sixth and N Streets, S. W., Washington, D. C. Contributions of money or equipment, as well as letters of inquiry regarding rates for surgery or treatment, should be addressed to him. This enterprise has met with much local support, and we trust that it may prove an efficient means of advancing the work and the message at the nation's capital.

H. W. M.