Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-12
Aoeal amt State Menus.
Maine Insane Hospital.

He ANNUAL IcpoIts VI tlc 1TusttSo anu
resident officers of the Maine Insane Hospital
have been prepared in good season this year,
and are now ready to be submitted to the
Governor and Executive council.
The Trustees state that the hospital has
been well patronized during the year, the
number of patients at all times having been
beyond its normal capacity. The monthly
supervision REQUIRED by law has shown that
the resident officers have faithfully performed
their duties, and the unfortunate inmates
have at all times been humanely treated and
properly cared for. More and more are the
Trustees confirmed in the opinion that the
present system of treatment is by far better
than any which has yet been tried. Sub
stituton of association for solitary confne.
ment, disuse of unnecessary restraint, and
the abolition of every kind of punishment,
are found TO be great improvements.
Last year the Legislature appropriated
Sl2, 500 towards the erection of a chapel, the
exterior of " h CHI is about finished. a SINH
lar appropriation will be required to complete
the building ready for occupancy. The hos
pital buildings are in good condition. The
rooms in the centre buildings have been
painted, papered and refurnished. Several
convenient rooms have been gained in the
centre building by placing the dining hall for
the males in the wings. New floors have
been laid in galleries, where needed, the
painting has been well attended to, and the
outbuildings have been painted a uniform
color.
The records show that there are but ~
persons in the hospital who are entirely sup
ported by themselves or their friends, while
there are 324 supported either wholly or in
part by the State. One fact is clear-either
insanity is pretty much confined to the poorer
classes, or the hospital is grossly imposed
upon by municipal officers. While doubtless
there are many in the hospital who are not
legally entitled to State aid, in the absence of
any other facts, the Superintendent does not
feel authorized to go behind the certificates
of municipal officers.
The regret is expressed that no inyestga-
ton has been made into the financial affairs
of the institution, the committee of the Coun-
ell having expressed themselves as entirely
satisfied without an investigation, although
an examination would have been more salts
factory to the Trustees. The Importance is
urged of providing further accommodations
for the insane. The present normal capacity
Of the hospital is about 35o-the utmost limits
400. The probabilities are that before the
close Of the coming year the number will
reach 400. Not much has been done towards
carrying out the proposed rural improve
ments, but it is hoped to accomplish more
next year.
The Trustees suggest that in making APP
preparations for the future wants of the hos
pita. no responsibility be divided, but that
the duty of expepding them will be wholly
with the Trustees or the Executive Council;
also the propriety of so amending the statute
as to require the Superintendent to make his
annual report to the Trustees instead of to the
Governor and Council. The following is the
board of Trustees W. B. Lapham, Augusta,
President; John T. Gilman, Portland, Sec
rotary: George A. Frost, Springvale; A. G.
Wakefield, Bangor; f. l.. Pattangall Penn
pTUke, ". L. AluITOe, DeilaSt.
DR.. II. M Harlow, the experienced and
popular Superintendent, presents his report,
some parts Of which must be valuable con-
tribution to medical science, and great
help to those who have the care of and are in
terested in the treatment of the insane. There
has been the past year exemption from all epi-
demic sickness, although not the usual immu-
ty from accidents. On the 18th ult,, one of
the inmates was fatally injured by fellow as
sociate who, following the dictates Ci whis-
ring Authorization, struck his comrade down
with an instrument used in busting and rub
bing the floor.
The whole number of patients under treat
ment during the year has been 5l9-2S2 men,
and 237 women. OF these, 3i5-l6G men and
179 women-were in charge at the commence
ment of the year, Dec. LIST, 1870. l74-ll6
men and So nomenclature been admitted
since. There have been discharged during
the year l5l-94 men and 81 women, leav-
ing in the Hospital at the close of the year
36S-l86 men, and lS2 women. The con-
dition of those discharged was apparently
rs IOIUWS. recovered. 0o-of men ana ~
women; improved, 2S-l5 men and thirteen
women; unimproved, 2l--lG men and
women; died, 80 men and IA women. The
per cent. of recoveries on the number admit
ted in the year differs not materially from
that of previous.
The number OF women recovered in proper
ton to the number admitted is larger than the
number Of men, owing to the fact that very
large part of the latter were in chronic, in
durable state when they entered the hospital.
The number of improved and unimproved is
essentially the same as in past years. The
longest time under treatment Of any one of
those who recovered was l20 weeks, the
shortest time weeks, and the average time
% weeks. The ratio of deaths to the num-
Der Of patients under treatment differs not
materially from that of former years. In the
absence of any special or general sickness, all