PROBLEMS OF HOSPITAL ORGANIZATION PRESENTED DURING THE DETROIT RACE RIOT

The recent race riot presented the staff of the City of Detroit Receiving Hospital with the problem of caring for 433 new patients in twenty-four hours. In addition, the load of new patients during the six to twelve hour periods immediately preceding and following these twenty-four hours was heavier than usual. We do not intend to give a detailed account of the diagnosis and treatment of these cases but rather to discuss the organization for the handling of such a large number of cases. The rioting began late Sunday, June 20, 1943 but patients were not admitted in large numbers until midnight. Of the 433 admitted to the emergency ward (table) from midnight Sunday to midnight Monday, June 21, 101, or approximately 24 per cent, were hospitalized. The remaining 332 patients required some sort of treatment, in many instances the suturing of multiple lacerations. Many of these patients who were