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CHAPTER XIX.

THE LABORATORY OF HYGIENE.

In 1889 Mr. Henry C. Lea offered to provide the means for the construction of a building for a laboratory of hygiene for the University of Pennsylvania provided that the necessary funds should be raised to equip and endow it, that hygiene should be made a compulsory study in certain courses of the University, and that as soon as possible a fouryear course in the Medical Department should be established. This offer having been accepted, and the necessary preliminary conditions. complied with, the preparation of the plans for the new building was at once commenced under the direction of Dr. J. S. Billings, and these plans, with accompanying specifications, having been approved, building contracts were signed. The work of construction was begun in the spring of 1891, under the supervision of the architects, Messrs. Collins and Autenrieth, and was completed in January, 1892. The building was formally opened, with appropriate exercises, February 22, 1892.

The laboratory is located on the southeast corner of Thirty-fourth and Locust streets, on a plot of ground set apart for that purpose measuring 147 by 182 feet. The main front is on Thirty-fourth street facing to the west. The building is somewhat L-shaped, having an external front of 91 feet 9 inches on Thirty-fourth street, and of 113 feet 9 inches on Locust street, and is two stories high with a basement. It is constructed of brick on a base of Conshohocken stone, with sparing use of molded brick and terra cotta for ornamentation.

On the main floor is a lecture room 45 feet 5 inches by 26 feet, with a preparing room 15 feet 10 inches by 10 feet 10 inches, and a museum room 15 feet 10 inches by 18 feet adjacent, a chemical laboratory 44 by 20 feet with working space for 18 students, five special research rooms, each about 15 by 18 feet, a drafting room, janitor's office, and laboratories.

On the second floor is a bacteriological laboratory 60 by 20 feet, giving working space for 16 students, four research rooms, a photograph and photomicrograph set of rooms, a library 16 by 17 feet, a directors' room with small laboratory adjacent, a supplies room, lavatory, etc.

In the basement are workshops, janitor's rooms, combustion room, storeroom, etc. On the southeast corner is a small animal house entirely separated from the main building.

The bacteriological and chemical laboratories and the majority of the research rooms are on the north front, and are lighted by numerous and high windows.

The building is heated by steam, and special arrangements have been made for ventilation, so as to secure not only an ample supply of pure air in every room, but to permit of experimental work and prac tical demonstrations in this important branch of sanitation. The fittings of the laboratories and research rooms include hoods, sinks, work tables, etc., with ample water and gas supplies, live steam, etc. Everything about the building is plain but substantial; the object has been to construct and properly equip a thoroughly practical working labora tory, and it is believed that this has been secured.

The director of the laboratory is Dr. John S. Billings and the first assistant is Dr. A. C. Abbott, recently the assistant in bacteriology and hygiene in the Johns Hopkins Hospital at Baltimore. The assistant in bacteriology is Dr. Albert A. Ghriskey, and the assistant in chemistry is Dr. H. S. Warwick.

The work of the laboratory and its staff includes teaching of undergraduates, instruction of post-graduates, and original research. A course of lectures and demonstrations is given to the undergraduates in the arts and technological departments of the University and a more extended course to the students of the Medical Department. Special courses, including lectures and practical laboratory work, are provided in practical hygiene with reference to the giving a certificate of qualification to perform the duties of a health officer; also in bacteriology, in food analysis, etc.

Advanced original research in matters pertaining to the causation of disease and the preservation of health will be a special object of this institution. The Thomas A. Scott fellowship in the Institute of Hygiene has been founded, and generously endowed by Mrs. Scott with the sum of $10,000, the income from which is to be used to pay the salary of the fellowship.

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