CITY OF CLEVELAND

Children's Colony and at that time it is expected that a re-organization
will be necessary whereby all children will be admitted
directly to the Children's institution and the administration
of the care of this group of patients be systematized according
to a permanent standard. A considerable amount of repair
work to the buildings will probably be undertaken and in addition
to this it is to be hoped that the permanent landscaping and
grading of the grounds may be carried along much further than
at present.
The summary of the Division of Health reported elsewhere
indicates that the number of cases of tuberculosis in the City
of Cleveland is constantly increasing as the total population
increases. In 1926 the total number of active cases listed in the
files of the Division of Health at the close of the year was 4732.
It will thus be seen that the 300 beds now available or 360 beds
to be available when the new building is completed are quite inadequate
to meet the demands for institutional care of tuberculosis
cases, and considerable discrimination must be practiced
at all times in assigning beds to cases whereby cases most in
need from the standpoint of exposure of others in the home or
of their own physical condition are given preference. At no
time during 1926 was there a day when all cases applying for
care could be handled. The average waiting list for Warrensville
Sanatorium during the year was 28 cases as compared with
25 cases during 1925.
It is important however to point out that before additional
beds for patients are provided at Warrensville the next step
necessary will be to increase the beds available for employees,
particularly for nurses. A nurses' home is badly needed and as
nurses are also employed at the Warrensville Infirmary it is possible
that a nurses' home to serve jointly the two institutions
would be desirable. In any event, with a view to future extensions
of the institutions, I desire at this time to recommend that
at an early date a home for nurses be provided on the Sanatorium
grounds with a capacity of not less than 50.
The housing of employees in general should receive additional
attention at the City Farms. Many of the old farmhouses
formerly occupied are becoming so decrepit with age that they
are no longer fit for human habitation. With the grading of the
grounds at the Children's Colony the removal of the farm buildings
occupied by employes on these grounds will most likely
be necessary and at this time I desire to recommend that plans
be prepared for a service building which will adequately care for
a number of married employees with their families. On account
of the isolated location of the Sanatorium group of buildings it
is important to have employees at hand at all times who can be
used in emergencies which may arise. Such demands, it has been
found by experience, have been met best by married men with
families as they are most dependable.
Respectfully submitted,
H. L. ROCKWOOD, M. D.,
116 City Hall Medical Director.
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