Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1876.djvu/28

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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.

The expenditures for the support of the hospital, including needful repairs and improvements, amounted to $167,773.42. The receipts during the year were:

From Treasurer of the United States $150,171 00
From private patients for board,&c 11,348 45
From sundry receipts, including sale of pigs, hides, rags, &c 6,257 76
167, 777 21

Of the $28,748 appropriated at the second session of the Forty-third Congress for general repairs and improvements all but $3,960 have been expended as originally designed. This latter sum, intended for bringing the water across the river, was fouud to be insufficient for the purchase and laying of pipe of proper size, and was therefore not drawn from the Treasury. In addition to the reservoir, pump-house, and other improvements connected with the water-supply, an extensive filter has been constructed and the pumping reservoir filled from the river. The board of visitors, in their report, in referring to these improvements, say:

The institution possesses, in duplicate, the most substantial, durable, and reliable facilities for raising to the tanks in the attics of the main edifice an ample supply of pure water, that is essential to the economies, health, and safety of every hour of hospital life.

The board of visitors submit the following estimates for the year ending June 30, 1877:

For the support, clothing, and medical and moral treatment of the insane of the Army and Navy, Marine Corps, and Revenue-Cutter Service, and of all persons who have become insane since their entrance into the military or naval service of the United States, and who are indigents, and of the indigent insane of the District of Columbia, in the Government Hospital for the Insane, one hundred and sixty thousand four hundred and twenty-six dollars, ($160,426.) This estimate is based upon the support of 710 non-paying patients, or an estimated average cost per week of each patient of $4.33⅓

If the requirements of the last appropriation act, that "one-half of the expense of the indigent persons who may be hereafter admitted from the District of Columbia shall be paid from the treasury of said District," shall be continued, it is estimated that at least $5,843 will be derived from this source, leaving the amount necessary to be appropriated by Congress $154,583.

For enlarging and improving the gas-works, slaughter-house, drainage, and laundry of the hospital, and for the erection, furnishing, and fitting up of an enlarged and improved bake-house and oven, including store-room for flour and lodging for bakers, fifteen thousand dollars, ($15,000.)

For general repairs and improvements, ten thousand dollars, ($10,000.)