REPORT OF THE FREEDMEN'S HOSPITAL

WASHINGTON, D. C., August 21, 1924. SIR: I have the honor to submit the annual report of the Freedmen's Hospital for the fiscal year 1924.

The work of the hospital was conducted principally along the lines indicated in the report for last year. Efforts were constantly made, consistent with efficient and economical use of time and material, to perform in every way all the functions demanded of a hospital in the present day, not only in the right care of the patients but in teaching, training and educational work, the promoting of scientific medicine, and contributory information for the general good of the community.

There was a noticeable increase in the volume of work in all departments of the hospital, which was operated to full capacity practically the entire year, with results gratifying to all concerned. This was accomplished by the faithful and efficient service of all employees who realize that, as public servants, the best efforts are always worth while.

PATIENTS

At the end of the fiscal year June 30, 1923, there were 197 patients remaining in the hospital. During the year covered by this report 4,121 were admitted, making a total of 4,318 indoor patients under care as against 3,886 the preceding year.

Of the number admitted, 1,055, including 95 births, were pay patients; 1,494, including 172 births, were indigent residents of the States; 1,572, including 131 births, were indigent residents of the District of Columbia.

The number of paying patients entering the hospital has steadily increased year after year, until now they constitute nearly one-third of those admitted during the year just closed. During the fiscal year 1913, which marks the beginning of the admissions of this class of patients, only 171 applied for treatment, paying $4,034.40. During the fiscal year 1924, 1,055 were received, paying $27,489.25.

The remarkable increase in the number of this class of patients demonstrates not only the wisdom of opening the hospital doors for this service but shows clearly their willingness as well as ability to pay for medical and surgical service.

There were discharged during the year 4,103, of whom 2,085 had recovered, 1,398 improved, 285 unimproved, 1 not treated, and 334 died, leaving 215 July 1, 1924.

The indigent patients came from 33 States and 6 foreign countries, having 82 different occupations.

The pay patients came from 28 different States and 4 foreign countries, having 59 different occupations.

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There were 2,321 surgical operations performed as against 2,016 the preceding year.

In the outdoor department 10,984 were treated, an increase of 2,492 over last year, as follows: Dermatological, 334; ear, nose, and throat, 1,883; eye, 2,314; gynecological, 1,647; genito-urinary, 998; medical, 731; minor surgical, 955; neurological, 528; orthopedic, 573; pediatric, 1,047.

The number of revisits to the various clinics of this department was 27,102 and 1,629 emergency cases received care and treatment. The number of anesthetics administered was 2,115, of which 1,816 were general and 299 local.

In the X-ray department, 1,147 radiographs were made and 200 treatments given.

The following table shows the number of laboratory examinations as compared with 1923:

Numerous examinations of spinal fluid, gastric contents, feces, smears, differential counts, blood cultures, autogenous vaccines, phenoephthalein tests, and other special examinations are not recorded

above.

The total number of noguchi reactions was 2,391, of which 71.7 per cent were negative, 26.5 per cent positive, and 1.8 per cent doubtful.

Patients admitted each year ending June 30 for the past 50 years

In view of the act of Congress limiting the number of pages in annual reports, the usual statistical table of the medical and surgical diseases are omitted from this report; however, they have been prepared and are available for reference purposes at the hospital.