Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1879.djvu/60

58 condition of the hospital and to the temporary arrangements made for the accommodation of some of the patients.

During the year buildings have been erected for hospital use; also for a bakery and laundry. They have been substantially built, and will prove of great service to the institution. Ample precautions have been taken to guard against fire by the erection of new hydrants, cisterns, and force-pumps, and by providing the necessary hose, ladders, buckets, and extinguishers.

The farm and garden belonging to the institution are reported as a source of health and profit. The products of both for the year are valued at $17,559.20, exclusive of products consumed on the farm, and valued at $5,421.

The receipts for the institution for the year were $176,809.41; $150,000 being from the Treasurer of the United States.

The estimates for the next fiscal year are, for support, clothing, and treatment of the insane, $175,000. For general repairs and improvements, $10,000. For special improvements, reservoirs and filters, additional accommodation for cattle, storage for hay, &amp;c., a kitchen and scullery detached from main hospital, a “mortuary building,” and greenhouse, $25,000. For furnishing and fitting the relief building for occupation, $15,000. Good reasons are given for the appropriations asked for, and I recommend them to the favorable consideration of Congress.

The board of visitors refer to the necessity of having separate quarters provided for the female patients, and submit at length their own views, and those of the Association of Medical Superintendents of Institutions for the Insane, showing that separate accommodation for the sexes renders their care and treatment more easy and successful. I renew in this the recommendation formerly made in favor of the erection of the additional building for the accommodation of female patients. Aside from the advantages which must come from the separation of the sexes, the additional building is needed to provide for the growth of the institution. It is thought that at least three years will be required to complete the proposed edifice, and such appropriation as may be needed to begin the work should be made without delay.

The sanitary condition of the hospital, considering its overcrowded wards, has been excellent, and its general management has been creditable to those having charge of its affairs.

The twenty-second annual report of the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb shows a favorable condition of its affairs. The total number of pupils in the institution at the date of the report, October 28, 1879, was 118, an increase of 48 since July 1, 1878.

The sanitary condition of the institution has been excellent, no death