Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-30
Local ann State Menus.
The Maine Insane Hospital.

annual report consists Of DR.. VIM. b. Lap
ham of Bryant's Pond, Hon. Geo A. Frost of
Springvale, DR.. John t. Gilman of Portland,
Hon. A. G. Wakefield of Bangor, Ezra L.
Pattangall, Esq, of Pembroke, and DR.. N. z.
Monroe of Belfast. As most of the report of
the Trustees covers the ground embraced in
the report of the Superintendent, an abstract
of their report is unnecessary. They have the
utmost confidence in the management of the
institution; have inspected every department
thoroughly; examined the quantity and quail
ity of the food furnished to patients; and are
gratified that everything is in most satisfac-
tory condition. They recommend the erec-
ton of a chapel in the rear of the main hos
pital building, and connected with it by COW
cred way, and think that S25, 900 would be
sufficient for carrying the proposition into eff
feet. They also suggest the propriety of
changing the law so as to authorize the SUI
perintendent to make his annual report to the
Trustees instead of to the Governor and Coun-
cl,so as to avoid repetitions, las is the case.
rigid examination into the management of
the institution in all respects, by the legisla-
ture, is earnestly desired by the Trustees.
The Superintendent of the hospital, DIR.
Henry NJ. Harlow, makes his twentieth an
nual report. The year has been one of gen.
eral prosperity. No unusual sickness or cpl
demic disease has fallen upon the inmates,
and all have enjoyed good degree of immu-
nifty from accidents of serious nature. There
were remaining in the hospital Dec. l, 1869,
337 patients-15S males, and 179 females.
There have been admitted since, 1906
males, and GA females, making total of 467
under treatment. There have been discharg-
ed during the year, 1925 males, and CA fe-
males, leaving in the hospital on the Both of
November, 345 patients-l66 males, and l79
females. The condition of the discharged ap-
peared to be as follows recovered, 4S-l9
males, and 20 females; improved, 1910
males, and females; unimproved, ISL
males, and females and IS males and 10
females have died. The average time those
were under treatment who recovered was SO
weeks. The number of those who have died
Is one-sixth less than that of last year. The
causes of deaths were as follows epilepsy g.
tubercular phthisis 8, chronic diarrhea 4,
general paralysis 4, paralysis 3, chronic in
sanity 8, apoplexy 2, marasmus 2, pneumonia
2, congestion of the brain 2, dropsy l, con-
gestion of the lungs l, manacal exhaustion
/, suicide l. The civil condition of those adj
mitted during the year is as follows q males
and 26 females are married 80 males and %
females are single; 6 are widowers, and II
are widows. The assigned causes of insanity
in those admitted during the year ill
health A, intemperance IL, domestic affection
8, masturbation I, disappointed affection s,
over-exertion 4, loss of property 4, paralysis
3, epilepsy 8, critical period of life 3, puer-
peral 8, injury of head ., religious excitement
2, decay of old age 2, suppressed eruption l.
disappointment in business !, spiritualism l,
unknown 81.
Forty-two of the patients are supported en-
tirely by the State; 252 being in INDECENT cir
cumstances, receive State aid of $3.50 per
week towards their support, and so either pay
their own bills or are supported by their
friends. Since the opening of the hospital in
October, 1910, 1859 patients have enjoyed its
benefits; 1924 have been discharged, of
whom l,4S9 recovered, G36 improved, 554
were unimproved, and els have died. For
want of room many deserving cases have been
turned away, but the new wing has been COM
pleted and the institution is in a condition to
receive more patients. The new wing is con-
venient for the accommodation of fifty Pc
tients. The hospital as now constructed is
capable of accommodating $50 patients, with
out crowding, and as the present number is
345, it is evident that the demand for more
room will soon be as pressing as ever The
Superintendent urges the Importance of i'm
mediate action for the care and comfort of the
fifteen hundred insane persons in the State
In the treatment of the disease of insanity, all
the new remedial agencies calculated to i'm
prove the moral or physical conditions of the
patients have been employed. One half to
two thirds of the patients have a morbid con-
dition of brain of an anamic character, in
duced by dyspepsia long continued Health
full occupation is found to be beneficial. While
the male patients go upon the farm and rec
reate in the open air, the females are employ
ed usefully within doors. Religious services
are holden every Sabbath evening in the
chapel, and good degree of interest is man
ifested. The well selected library, procured
with the accumulated funds donated by the
late Col. Black and the late Brice Mcclellan,
affords abundant reading matter. Nearly all
the State newspapers and the leading maya
zines OF the country are to be found in the Ii
brary. 1t has been increased during the year
by the purchase of nearly one hundred vol
umes. The permanent library fund of $4,000
is invested in State securities, the interest on
which is paid semi-annually in gold. The
improvements on the farm and outbuildings,
began last year, have been successfully car
ried forward. The need of airing courts for
class of patients who are disinclined to work
upon the farm is called for; new furniture is
necessary, and other repairs are demanded.
mi n l. Il 4. ~