few books have been furnished; but during the past year this lack has been made up by supplying some of the most recent and approved works in the various departments of medicine and surgery. The need of adequate room for the use of this division has been mentioned in two of my previous reports, and the subject becomes of more consequence each year. With the increased number of stations, the growing demands of the Service, and the probability of the opening and maintaining of stations in outlying territory which may be acquired as a result of the war, will place upon the department the necessity of providing more space and better facilities for its operation. I respectfully refer to my previous allusions to this subject, and feel that something should be done to meet this necessity. The subject of establishing it in New York City has been considered, following the plan adopted by the Army and Navy. This would probably be the best solution of the problem. In this connection the following letter was addressed to me by the medical officer in charge of the purveying division: AUGUST 3, 1898. SIR: After an experience of over three years in charge of the purveying division, I have the honor to submit the following suggestions in regard to its improvement and development. The gradual increase of the Service, both in the number of stations and the demands of them upon the Service for medical and surgical supplies and general stores, the increase consisting of an addition of six new marine hospitals within the last ten years and eleven national quarantine stations in the last fifteen years, constitutes an increase of work in the purveying division, which has now come to the practical limit of its capacity in its present quarters. From a business point of view-and this is the commercial division of the Service-the removal of the purveying division and the establishment of it in New York City, the great trade and railroad center of the country, would, in my judgment, be a wise and economical change. A large part of our supplies comes from New York now, and many of them are shipped back over the same lines to stations north and west. Washington is neither an available business, railroad, nor manufacturing center, and proximity of the large and varied market in New York would result to the better interests of the Service in the purchase of equipment and supplies. A suitable building could be rented in the city of New York, selected for its availability for this division, and thus the present problem of requisite and desirable quarters for it would be solved in a very simple way. The present condition is one of inadequate storage and manufacturing room, and the facilities for the shipping and handling of goods are very cumbersome. In view of the forthcoming expansion of territory, and with colonial possessions in the West Indies, where in all probability a number of stations will be established in the near future, and with which New York is in direct communication by sea, there exists an additional reason for making the headquarters of the purveying division in New York. This would obviate reshipment at Southern points and add to the rapidity with which supplies can be forwarded to those stations. A large part of the work of the purveying division is performed for the quarantine service, and disinfecting material-sulphur, bichloride, etc.-can not be kept in stock in the present storage rooms, and emergency orders for these articles have to be made direct to the contractors, who, in the past and at present, are located in St. Louis, thus involving considerable delay in delivering material. The necessity of having sufficiently large stores of hospital and other supplies on which to draw for emergency orders scarcely requires elaboration. It is the basis of successful administration of this division. With increased capacity, additional classes of hospital supplies could be stored, such as kitchen and hospital utensils and subsistence stores, which are now purchased in small quantities at each station at retail prices. This additional storage capacity would also enable the officer in charge of the purveying division to inspect goods purchased before they are sent out. In the absence of this facility goods are ordered direct from the contractors and manufacturers, and no examination of them can be made prior to issue, and neither the receiving officer nor the medical purveyor can know that the goods delivered are of the required standard. It is only by occasional information, incidentally obtained, that the quality of these goods is known. This plan of locating the supply department for the Army and Navy has been in operation for many years in New York. I believe that the same reasons which impelled those services to adopt this plan are equally applicable to this Service. The change suggested would be of reciprocal advantage to the internal economy of the headquarters of your office, in that it would add to the available office room a fine apartment on the first floor, which could be utilized as a library and board room and for such literary work as is always in progress, and which can not be satisfactorily done in the confusion of the working parts of the bureau. The change would involve no difficulties of administration, as the officer detailed as medical purveyor, in charge of the service stores at New York, would simply fill approved requisitions forwarded to him from the bureau, and in all respects be governed by the same regulations as a station of the first class. The present force in service in the purveying division would be ample for duty at the storehouse, with the probable addition of one clerk as stenographer and accountant. Respectfully, yours, CHAS. E. BANKS, Surgeon, M. H. S. SURGEON-GENERAL MARINE-HOSPITAL SERVICE. |