1904
A pure milk station was established in the dispensary to combat “summer diarrhea” caused by drinking contaminated milk.
1905
Department of Pathology formed.
1906
Enclosed porches were built for the treatment of tuberculosis patients.
1907
A school was established for training nurses in the diseases of infants and children. When the school was organized, the Housekeeping and Nursing Departments were completely separated. A Superintendent of Nurses was engaged and pupil nurses were enrolled in the school.
1907-1925
Mrs. Grace Jones, third president.
1908
The staff appointed a medical records committee. In formulating a new system of records, the committee made the needs of the hospital, as viewed from every possible standpoint, the basis of its plan. A card index system for the office and a clinical history system for the patients evolved that would not only facilitate the keeping and filing of office and clinical records, but would make each system depend in part on the other, thereby assuring completeness of records.
1909
The Board was called together to receive a donation of $125,000 from Mrs. John Fowler, to be used for a new hospital building, to be erected in memory of her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth J. Liggett. Under the terms of the bequest, the hospital was to provide the ground, and the building was to be perpetually known as the St. Louis Children’s Hospital, The Elizabeth J. Liggett Memorial. It was decided to use the amount realized from other bequests to buy the ground.
1910
- The Martha Parsons Hospital became associated with the St. Louis Children’s Hospital using the income from its invested funds to continue its work and fulfill its trust. On May 15, 1910, their children, with the usual hospital equipment, were transferred to St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
- An Auxiliary Board of 104 members was formed with membership dues of $5 annually.
- An affiliation was made with the Washington University Hospital Training School for Nurses and St. Louis Children’s Hospital discontinued its training school.
- The hospital established an association with Washington University in St. Louis for teaching purposes.
- A Social Service Department was organized. A $500 emergency fund gift made it possible to start this service.
1911
- St. Louis Children’s Hospital established the first Social Service Department in St. Louis.
- The hospital received a gift of a farm of 125 acres near Valley Park, Missouri, for a convalescent country department. This was known as Ridge Farm.
1912
- A lot, 150 feet on Kingshighway by 279 feet deep, was purchased as the site of the new hospital, at a cost of $26,122.
- Ridge Farm, the convalescent department, was opened with accommodations for 14 patients.
1913
- Cornerstone laying for the new hospital at 500 South Kingshighway.
- The Junior League of St. Louis Children’s Hospital was organized. It was made up of children under 18 years of age who gave $1 annually to the hospital.
1914
A graduate nurse was engaged to take charge of the home care of sick infants. This service was under supervision of the Social Service Department.
1915
The dedication is held for the new hospital building at 500 South Kingshighway.
1914-1915
The removal of the hospital to its new buildings took place. This housed 125 patients with a contagious division. The old dispensary on Jefferson Avenue was combined with the dispensary of the old Washington University Hospital and a new clinic, known as the Washington University Dispensary and Out-Patient Department of Barnes and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, was organized. The administration expense, etc., was assumed by Washington University Medical School. The School of Medicine also provided the laboratory and X-ray facilities.
1915
- Parents were asked to pay whatever they were able toward their child’s care in the hospital. A ward rate of $10.50 per week was established. Previously, all care had been rendered free.
- The Board of Managers established a Tribute Fund to which contributions are made in memory or in honor of friends.
1917
When war was declared the Country Department (Ridge Farm) was closed.
1918
- Dr. W. McKim Marriott was made Physician-in-Chief, and remained in this position until June 30, 1936.
- The policy of appointing women interns on the same basis as men was adopted.
1919
- An affiliation was made with the training school for nurses of the United States Army.
- Rates were established for care: $10.50 per week forward and $4.50 and $5 per day for the eight private rooms.
- A Department of Occupational Therapy was organized.
- An Admitting Office was established with three women employees
1920-1925
Physician-in-chief Dr. W. McKim Marriott developed simplification of the artificial feeding of infants with evaporated milk, Karo Syrup, and lactic acid. This occurred after years of study of basic nutritional requirements during health and illness.
1920
- The Country Department at Ridge Farm was reopened
- A system of post-graduate instruction for practicing physicians was inaugurated.
1921
The staff of St. Louis Children’s Hospital undertook the care of newborn infants in a ward of Barnes Hospital.
1922
- The hospital carried on a successful campaign for $300,000 to enlarge and improve the hospital buildings in both city and country.
- Treatment of world’s first diabetic infant in September with insulin made in the Biochemistry Laboratories by Professor P.A. Shaffer
1923
- A 10-bed ward named “Butler Ward” was opened for the care of black patients.
- A public school was established at Ridge Farm, the Country Department, by the St. Louis Board of Education.
- A cubicle system was established in the Infant Ward of the main hospital, which served to prevent the spread of infection.
- More diabetic patients were treated in the hospital than during any preceding year. The first baby with diabetes to be treated in America was a patient in St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The insulin was prepared in laboratories of Washington University Medical School.
- An additional floor added to the University Pavilion that provided more adequate facilities for laboratory and research activities.
1924
Washington University School of Nursing, with which St. Louis Children’s Hospital is affiliated, established a five year course leading to a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
1925-1945
Mrs. Mary McKittrick Markham, fourth President.
1925-1930
- Development of a very active Cardiac Clinic under the direction of Dr. Hugh McCulloch.
- Studies in dehydration and acid-base balance by Dr. A. F. Hartmann and co-workers, leading to improved methods of treatment.
- Summer post graduate teaching in rural areas of North Carolina, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, and Oklahoma, by full time staff members of the Pediatric Staff.
- Important work on scarlet fever and other streptococcal infections by Dr. J. V. Cooke.
1927
An affiliation was made with St. Louis Maternity Hospital whereby St. Louis Children’s Hospital Staff assumed responsibility for care of all newborn infants.
1929
THE HOSPITAL CELEBRATED ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY