Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1880.djvu/73

Rh have been entered into for the construction of as many as can be obtained for the amount named. As the original estimate for this purpose was $160,000, an additional sum of $80,000 will be needed to supply both halls with the number of cases required.

The number of patients in the hospital June 30, 1879, was 819, of whom 617 were males and 202 females.

The number admitted during the year was 225, of whom 181 were males and 44 females. The number discharged as having recovered was 52, improved 33, unimproved 3; 46 males and 13 females died.

The number remaining in the hospital June 30, 1880, was 897, of whom 691 were males and 206 females. Of those under treatment during the year, 529 were from the Army, 53 from the Navy, 462 from civil life.

The report of the Board of Visitors gives a synopsis of the operations of the hospital during the whole period of its existence.

The records show that of the 4,940 cases treated in the hospital during the twenty-five years of its existence, 2,095 recovered.

The estimates for the next fiscal year are as follows:

One purpose for which the last-mentioned appropriation is asked is to furnish the hospital with a supply of pure water. The hospital has hitherto been supplied with water from the Anacostia River, immediately in front of the hospital grounds. It evidently contains impurities rendering it unfit for use, and these impurities will increase year by year. It is estimated that $25,000 will be required to connect the hospital with the water supply of the city of Washington.

In my opinion this improvement should be made without delay.

The hospital farm has not sufficient accommodations for the shelter of stock and the proper protection of the harvested crops.

An appropriation of $5,000 is asked for additional farm buildings. I recommend that this appropriation be made.

The Board of Visitors also recommend the erection of a suitable mortuary building, a greenhouse, and a kitchen detached from the main building. I concur in these recommendations, and also in the recommendation that provision be made for the erection of a distinct hospital building for the female insane, to cost $250,000, to be completed in three years, and that the sum of $75,000 be appropriated for this purpose for the year ending June 30, 1882.

The sum of $143,000 was appropriated for the support of patients during the present fiscal year. It is estimated that $175,000 will be required for this purpose, and that an additional sum of $5,000 will be required for ordinary repairs and improvement to keep the property