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Lima
Tuberculosis Hospital
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HISTORY
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The Lima
District Tuberculosis hospital, opened April 5, 1911; a 24 bed
facility.
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| It was one
of the earliest hospitals in the state to treat tuberculosis. The
hospital launched a 50 year battle against the disease. The hospital was
enlarged in 1927-28, when the number of Tubercular patients increased,
almost $900,000 was appropriated by Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, Van Wert,
and Shelby Counties. At this time patients were required three to five
years hospitalization treatment. It was remodeled in 1957, providing
room for 138 patients, with the latest physical facilities and equipment
to care and cure the sick. |
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By 1961,
the hospital was a joint venture of the five counties since the hospital
district was formed. Approximately 5000 patients have received
treatment.[1960] The number of patients entering the hospital is
constant, but with modern methods and medicines the time of stay has
been cut in half. As late as 1962, people who worked with the public,
serving food, were required to obtain a TB test at the Board of Health
each year.
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| Between
January, 1914 and May 1917, surveying 140 people, 18 died of
tuberculosis. It ranked with pneumonia as the leading cause of death
among this group. |
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hospital's name was changed in January 1960, to the Ottawa Valley
Hospital. With the decline of tubercular patients, non-tubercular
patients were admitted. Modern chemotherapy rapidly reduced the number
of tuberculosis patients and the need for long term care. In 1970, the
Ohio Department of Health designated two regional TB hospitals as
eligible for State subsidy. Lima Tuberculosis Hospital was forced to
close with the loss of these funds. |
| Submitted by:
Julie Franks |
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