Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-11-21
GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL FOR The INSANE.
annual Report OF the Institution.
It's Condition and Wants.

TIE DOdFi Oi NlsatOIs OF the government Ii oS-
pital for the Insane, and DIR. G. III. Nichols
superintendent and ex oficio secretary of the
board, to the Secretary of the Interior, setting
forth the condition and wants of the institution
for the year ending June 30th, 1870, shows tina,
the number Of patients under treatment on the
3oth day Of June, 1869, was males, 26o; females
100. The number OF patients admitted during
the year ending June 80, 1870, was males, IA
females, 81 The whole number OF patient,
under treatment In the course of the year
1862 20, was males, 404; females, AS. The
number Of patients discharged i'm the course OF
the year was males, 50; females, 10. The num-
year was males, Is; females, 8. The number OF
patients re maining under treatment on the 3Oth
day Of June, ss70, was males, 33i; females, 123
THE MENTAL CONDITION
Of those who died during the year, at the time
Of death was as follows: Acute mania, 3; chronic
mania, 8; acute dementis, I; chronic dementia
9; imbecility, 1. Total, Is.
az far as it could be ssoertsined, OF the 2.so7
persons treated since the opening Of the institu-
ton foots up as follows: Native born, 1873;
foreisn-born, ,ss6, unknown, 17s. Total. 2,sO7
TIE PORN OF DISEASE
under which the cases received since the insti-
tuition was opened labored at the time of admis-
sion is shown as follows: Mania, LII; mono
beclity, IS; opium eater /; total number of cases
treated, 2,s51; number OF reedmissions, 10
Number or persons treated, 2,s07.
FAY AND PUBLIC PATIENTS.
OF independent or pay patients there remain
ed at the end At the year "a; OF public pat.ent,,
80.
The hospital has been, in general,
HIGHLY PROSPEROUS
during the year 1870. 1t has afforded more
weeks board than in any other year of its his
tory, and Its benefits have been shared by more
insane persons than in anv other except in the
last two OF the late war. There were Al full re-
coveries, and in % other cases there was 50
much improvement in their mental condition
that they were able to live at home, and In some
instances to engage in useful labor or business
The recoveries were AZ per cent. of the dis
charges, including deaths, and 81 per cent. OF
the discharges exclusive of deaths. These are
highly favorable ratios.
THE RATE or MORTALITY
In any community is properly reck0ned upon
the whole number Of persons composing it, be-
cause death may at any time happen to any
member Of it. The deaths in the hospital last
year were little less than 3k per cent. of the
whole number under care, which is the low est
rate OF mortality IN any year stree the insti-
tuition was opened for the reception OF pal .ents
The year closed with 45i patients in the house,
and at the date in the current year of the prep.
4.0.
THR RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
amounting to about So 800, and due at the close
OF the year, have not vet been paid for want of
means available for the purpose. A statement
on tne quantities and estimated values Of the
consumed in the house f00ts up SIC, .6s 80; con-
eumed by the stock, 50, $685.. "A statement of
the live stock, farm and garden implements,
stable furniture, and other personal property,
mostly used for agricultur n purposes, on hand
on the Goth Of june, 1870, and their Estimated
values, IL given, footing up . total of SIl,77A07
The hospital now has four hundred acres of
land attached to it, which is thought to be
ample in quantity FOR Al its immediate and
prospective economical and sanitary purposes.
IHR EXTENSION OF THE HOSPITAL,
1or which an appropriation was made by Con-
gress at its last session, was commenced soon
after the adjournment, and the confident ex-
pectation is entertained OF getting this building
under root before the close Of the present build
ing season. An approximation Of $1,000 for a
~, it having been deemed expedient to postpone
that Improvement 70 the present time. An APP
preparation OF &6 900 to improve and increas
the cottage accommodations OF the families Of
advanced TO the Superintendent, and the work
is in progress. Among the few improvements
executed is one for increasing the available
water supply near the hospital building, and
thus rendering the expensive operation of pump
ing inferior water from the river unnecessary,
except in times of extraordinary drought.
IsTIHATR OF THE APPROPRIATION
required to support the hospital during the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1872. The board of
visitors Of the hospital base the opinion that the
average number OF patients supported by the
government in the year ending June 80. 1872
Will IOt DC 1cce tu6l Anu respectful a.
for sl25, Geo, the amount necessary to maintain
that number with q small addition for contin-
gencies. The amount OF this estimate Is based
upon the expectation that the entire cost of the
support and treatment Of each patient will be
6s y cents per day, which is thought to be the
lowest rate at which the inmates OF this hospital
can be taken care Of.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The west wing of the hospital edihce was
opened for the reception of patients in January
1870, and has since been constantly occupied by
q large number orinsane men. At least sl5, COO
will be required to effect repairs and improve
ments. The wall has been built on three sides
OF The original grounds OF the hospital, a dis
rance OF nearly two miles. The completion OF
river front is necessary, to render what has
has already been built fully useful ss q barrier
against escapes Of patients and the intrusion of
the public. Ten thoueand dollars will be needed
one hundred AMI fifty acres, Known as the Shep-
herd farm, IL principally used for grazing milca
cows and bseves. 1t is now inclosed BY q rail
fence, much OF which is old and poor, and q
more substantial fence lie necessary to render
the land fully available for the economical pur-
poses OF the institution. 1t will cost 50 900.
Coal THrIvHs.-A we'll known colored cart
an, employed IN hauling coal from the river
self, having trained his mules to follow without
an extra driver, on Saturday last, becoming OBJ.
livious to surrounding events, on coming across
mule bad stopped in the street until he arrived
at the canal bridge. On looking around he was
somewhat astonished to see his team away back
TO south b street. He at once left his forward
team and trudged back to start that in the rear
Some mischievous boys, who do nothing bat
pick up coal that drops from the carts, Il APP
pears, Lad managed the thing, and when the
old driver arrived he found SQUAD of them
mounted OIL the cart, and a goodly portion of
TIE coal gone. They, IL appears, had stopped the
mule while the driver was not looking. The old
man mounted and drove up as fast as possi BILE;
but On arriving near the team he had left at the
bridge he saw another crowd or coal-pickers at
work, who took no notice of him but filled their
baskets. and one black imp mounted the mule
and started him on towards the city. The dri-
yer could not whip up his team, being heavily
loaded, 80 he leaves 1t again to run after the
boy who was making of with his load of coal,
and when almost mp with il the boy jumped off
the mule and ran away. On securing the mule
and turning Il over to q man to hold for him he
started back to look after the other team and
found the coal-pickers again at work on it.
This exaspersted the old man, and gathering
UP some brickbats he let fly At them, hitting
one OF the colored boys and knocking him
down. All Of them finally made good their es-
cape.
An INGENIOUS SwINDLR-On SATURDAY. last a
man named Edward Bronson, who had been for