PURCHASE OF SUPPLIES. In purchasing supplies for the use of the Department, requisitions properly certified by the executive officers of the different divisons as to the necessity therefor, are received in the office of the Chief Clerk, examined and presented to the President of the Board of Health for approval and authority to incur the expense. Estimates are then obtained from reputable business concerns or manufacturers, if possible, and the order given to the lowest bidder. Should the amount exceed the sum of $1,000 the supplies are purchased by contract, the result of public bidding. INSPECTION OF SUPPLIES. During the year 1908 there were 4,992 requisitions received on which inspections were made. Upon receipt of goods at the various institutions they are held until the same have been inspected and passed by the Inspector of Supplies before being placed in stock, note being made on the Inspector's copy of the order for recording in the office of the Chief Clerk, for the purpose of checking the bills. Perishable supplies, such as meat, fish, grocery supplies, fruits, vegetables, etc., which are furnished on monthly orders on an open requisition, are subject to the same inspection, and are rejected when found necessary. The Departmental divisions from which requisitions were received include the following hospitals, laboratories and offices in the various Boroughs. Requisitions were forwarded as follows: Headquarters, Fifty-fifth street and Sixth avenue. Borough of The Bronx.. Borough of Brooklyn.. Borough of Queens. Borough of Richmond. Research laboratory. Chemical laboratory. Vaccine laboratory. Drug laboratory. Riverside Hospital.. Trachoma Hospital.. Willard Parker Hospital, Reception and Scarlet Fever Hospital. Kingston Avenue Hospital.. Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Otisville, New York... 1,328 176 285 185 223 560 129 36 138 491 286 129 436 590 4.992 The average number of items of each of the above-mentioned requisitions, 4,992, were approximately twenty (20), and the number of orders issued were 9,382. The Inspectors visit each of the hospitals, laboratories, offices, etc., at least once a week, making thorough inspection of the goods received and rejecting those which do not conform to the Department standards and the specifications set forth when the estimate is requested. During the year several contractors endeavored to deliver a poor quality of merchandise to the hospitals and laboratories. Measures were promptly taken to compel them to fulfill their respective contracts in accordance with the specifications and the standard samples, after which the goods delivered were of a satisfactory character. The inspection of supplies has proved a great economy in many ways; the force formerly consisted of one man, was totally inadequate to cover all the institutions, and, consequently, it was found necessary to detail an additional inspector to perfect this particular branch of the service. A new feature of the inspection of meats, fish, poultry, eggs and grocery supplies, furnished under contract, was added to our methods by having the deliveries examined and passed upon by the Meat and Food Inspectors attached to the Sanitary Bureau, in addition to the inspection made by the Inspectors attached to this office and the matrons of the various institutions. CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIRS. Report of the work performed by the Sanitary Inspectors who are assigned to the office of the Chief Clerk to supervise the construction of new buildings and repairs and alterations to old buildings as follows: Willard Parker and Reception Hospital. An additional laboratory was constructed on the second floor of the Research Laboratory Building. A water service main was extended to the Antitoxin Stable. Kingston Avenue Hospital. Contract was awarded for the setting of two new nign pressure steam boilers to replace two smaller insufficient boilers, also a separate contract for the thorough overhauling of one individual boiler. An addition was constructed to the boilerhouse for a pumproom. A new laundry building is to replace the present structure, for which the contract has also been let. A solarium was constructed on tent platform by Department employees. A separate smokestack was built for incinerator. The iron fence around the hospital grounds was completed this year, as was also the measles pavilion completed and opened. Riverside Hospital. Additions to Pavilions No. 5 and No. 6 were constructed by employees of the Department. Plans and specifications were prepared for an iron and tile trunk sewer with branches to receive the drainage from various pavilions, kitchen building and doctor's residence, and an iron sewer for Nurses' Home, Stable Building and Stove House; this contract was let and the work commenced. Laundry Building was completed this year and accepted. Headquarters Building-Manhattan. The fire extinguishing apparatus was remodeled and hose tested, in compliance with the rules of the Fire Department. The storeroom in rear part of cellar was provided with a new floor. The storm-door at main entrance was covered with new roofing. Main and other roofs, skylights, etc., were repaired and painted. Diagnosis Laboratory was equipped with a fume hood and venti lator. Improvements were made to toilet facilities and hot water supply. In the annex, repairs and improvements were made, including redecorating. Office Building-Brooklyn. Improvements were made to drains and plumbing fixtures. Wire inclosure was constructed on first floor for filing records. Repairs to roof exits were made by Department employees; also repairs to heating apparatus. New Office Building—Brooklyn. |