This building is located at the western end of the yard and at the head of
the main thoroughfare of the prison. It is modern, well lighted,
ventilated, has commodious rooms and a physician is always in attendance.
Dr. B. J. Merrill has been at the head of this department for many years
and is considered one of the best physicians and surgeons in the state. He
is assisted by a resident physician constantly in attendance. The head
physician visits the prison each morning at nine o’clock and prescribes
for those present at “sick call.” This call, as previously stated, takes
place every morning, the men being gathered from the various departments
of the prison by the assistant deputy warden.
Any prisoner who is not feeling well need only inform his guard that he
wishes to see the doctor and his request is granted. This is obligatory on
the part of the guard, as the physician’s orders are final in such
matters.
When the sick‐call men arrive at the hospital they form in line just
outside the door and are called into the doctor’s office one at a time.
The inmate states his complaint and his name and prescription is entered
on the records. If too sick to work he is permitted to either stay in the
hospital, loaf in the park or remain in a cell for the day. There are
several cells in the cell‐house which are used exclusively for this
purpose. After the chronic cases have been disposed of the chief physician
attends to the more serious ailments. He also prescribes the diet for the
sick prisoners, and if they order anything that is not in the culinary
department it is purchased at once.
The hospital is well patronized by the inmates. During the month of July,
1908, 2,018 cases were disposed of. But the building used for a hospital
is now altogether inadequate to accommodate the growing demands of the
institution, as the population of the prison has practically doubled
during the past decade.
With regard to epidemics the prison has been very fortunate and the
mortality list has been exceedingly small. The death rate for 1908 was
only nine, principally due to tuberculosis, a disease which is quite
prevalent in penitentiaries the world over.
During the summer months the convalescent patients are permitted the
freedom of the park all day. Those who are unable to walk are carried down
and given an opportunity to get the beneficial outdoor air.
The following rules give a clear idea of the duties of chief physician: