Part 22

“That it is the sense of this body that the Federal Board of Hospitalization recommend to the Director of the Veterans’ Bureau and to the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service the designation of an officer of each service to receive special suggestions and recommendations from the field, criticisms also of instructions contained in field orders, circular letters and similar communications; these designated officers to constitute a board for the consideration of these recommendations, with the view of recommending to the Director the adoption of such as are believed to be of value.”

DR. CHRISTIAN: offered the following amendment to Dr. Lloyd’s resolution:

“That these officers be detailed to the Veterans’ Bureau for a limited period, say six months; that they be field officers.”

DR. JOHNSON: moved that the resolution of Dr. Lloyd be laid on the table indefinitely, which resolution was adopted.

DR. LLOYD: suggested that it would be well to have one man of each service who could be advised as to what is the matter with certain general orders and know that such matters will not be pigeon-holed but will receive action.

COL. BRATTON: was of the opinion that all suggestions relating to improvement of service should go through the chief of the service. He stated that no difficulty was experienced in this connection in the Army and that it seemed to him that the chief of a bureau should know what was going on.

GEN. IRELAND: stated that contemplated changes affecting the hospitalization of patients of the Veterans’ Bureau in the Army are always referred to his office for review before they are issued.

DR. BLISS: thought that there should be a representative of the Veterans’ Bureau in all Government hospitals where there are Veterans’ Bureau patients, which representative would not have anything to do with the internal administration of the hospital.

DR. WILLIAMS: with reference to the matter of bed space in hospitals offered a resolution to the effect that the question of floor space and distance between beds be reconsidered by the Veterans’ Bureau, with a view to the revision of the present requirements; that unnecessary bed space is being provided and it should be cut down; that he believes the allowance of six feet is necessary in respiratory cases and in infectious cases, but that in the ordinary general ward he believed that a little less space would be quite sufficient, as the larger requirement will cut down the hospital capacity very materially. This resolution was duly seconded.

DR. BARLOW: With reference to space allowed per patient, thought that there should be a difference in accordance with the classes of patients; that he has charge of a hospital for mental cases, and it would be necessary to arrange for 100 square feet; these men are not suffering from physical disabilities. He stated that the State Hospitals cannot provide even fifty square feet of floor space and that it was absolutely necessary for the Veterans’ Bureau to take out of the State hospitals every insane patient they have.

DR. BLACKWOOD: concerning the allowance of six feet between beds, asked if this was not intended to mean six feet between bed centers.

The following motion was adopted:

“That the Federal Board ask the Veterans’ Bureau to reconsider the question of bed space.”

A motion was offered, which failed of adoption, to the effect that the Director of the Veterans’ Bureau set aside a certain amount for the reimbursement of unavoidable losses of property of ex-service men in hospitals.

DR. KRULISH: was of the opinion that if the foregoing resolution was adopted, that more trouble would be experienced than before.

It was further brought out that such a motion would carry no weight; that it was thought the service had this question up once before and the Comptroller’s office advised that no money arrangements could be made and it was not believed that the Veterans’ Bureau could make allowance for losses of clothing.

It was also stated in this connection that in some institutions steel lockers had been provided, a small deposit being required, which was given back when the key was returned, under which arrangement very little clothing was lost.

DR. HETERICK: stated that his institution is equipped with steel lockers and a small deposit required, which is returned when the patient is discharged; that the patient is told that due preparation has been made for taking care of his clothing and it is in his custody; that the installation of these lockers has reduced the theft of personal property to a minimum; that some times, however, lockers will be broken into.

The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Fourth Session Wednesday, January 18, 1922.

Present: Members of the Federal Board of Hospitalization; also, about one hundred conferees.

GEN. CUMMING, presiding, called the meeting to order.

DR. WHITE called the roll, and read the following announcement:

“It is requested that, at the first available opportunity, the following officers confer with Dr. Maddox, “C” Building, Room 1–319, concerning urgent construction work going on at their stations:

Dr. W. H. Allen, of Boise, Idaho. Dr. W. C. Billings, of Ellis Island, N.Y. Dr. R. L. Allen, of Arrowhead Springs, Cal. Dr. A. P. Chronquest, of West Roxbury, Mass. Dr. E. R. Marshall, of Detroit, Mich.”

GEN. CUMMING: “This afternoon we are going to consider administrative policies. The first paper will be “Professional Service,” by Dr. Lavinder,”

ASST. SURGEON GENERAL C. H. LAVINDER:

“The subject that has been assigned to me is very broad in its scope, and the time is so limited, that if I may be permitted I wish to tender a written paper.” Dr. Lavinder read the article on “Professional Service”,