The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-02-09

We saw from the report of eur hospi
tai that the average weekly expense per
patient for the last three years is 81 SO
which includes the entire expense Of
board, clothing, fuel, medical attention,
&c.
From the able and comprehensive re-
port of the hospital, submitted by the
superintendent, we learn that the appro-
priations for building, land, improve
ments, and the maintenance OF this insti-
tuition, for the term of its occupancy,
about ten years, amount to 1905 1927. of
which $445, 12475 was for current ex-
penseS.
Whole number of patients admitted .!..... 1913
Whole mber patien discharged AID died o63
or that number All were dischr d recovered ~.
$500. do. 229 .do.... improved. 80.
49,. do.. l65 do. not impr'd $50,
9sS $50
Now remaining IN Hospital, September
30, 1870, three hundred and sixty; of
this number the proportion ofinclrables,
we are not informed but from thu tables
submitted, we learn that 100 have on the
average cost 81 ,51548 each, and the ag
gregate the sum Of $16064082; some of
this class have been discharged as not re
covered, and a number remain in this
hospital The cost in the aggregate of
the AL recovered patients, amounts to
$50 1880; average co t of each case
$1,000, a trif1e more than onethird ofthe
amount expended for LOG incurables ;
that 81 of these incurabies (23 of whom
are now in this hospital,) have in the ag
gregate cost $57, 022 81, or nearly $4,000
MOI { than the entire cost Of the 451 re
covered. '
We are asked to appropriate Gas here
matter set forth (for the hospital, for
support OF patients, repairs, furniture,
necessary improvements, sewerage, &c,
$4,000
Estimates in detail have been furnish
ell, and reasonably urged by the trustees
and uperlntendent, which to your com
mittee seem proper and necessary, also to
to appropriate $780, 900 for additional
wings to complete the original plan of the
building to receive and accommuda: ate
patients that are now refused admission
The additional room is asked for upon
the ground that treatment should be ex-
tended to this class of afflicted at the
earliest moment; if delayed, years, or
even months, the patient possible must be
ciassed with the incurables, entailing un
limited expense to the State, should it
continue to assume the entire cost of
maint aiming the insane Your committee
question the justice and propriety of such
assumption a
Fully approaching the necessity
of increased facilities to provide
for this class of afflicted, so clearly and
intelligently demonstrated in the report
submitted, that, to be effective must re-
ceIve early attention-we are led to in
quire what is the duty of the State to-
wards the insane, or any other class of
afflicted and helpless indigenss! Ex-
perience proves that a hospital for the in-
sane is necessary, that state or local au-
thorities should provide an asylum for
those unable to provide for themselves.
Society demands it for safety, but your
committee submit that in their opinion,
hospital with an eminent faculty, and
all appointments to treat patients mental
ly, as we'll as physically, is not necessary
to the comforts and physical wants of a
large class of incurables, and neither
should they fill the hospital to the ex-
clusion of recent acute cases. We are
told that within our state the number of
insane, unprovided for more than EQUALS
the number provided for in this hospi.
tai. We inquire where are they to be
found? We are answered in iails and
county houses of our State. Are not the
greater, possibly the whole number class
ed as incurables? And no doubt MANY
have been sent home from this hospital
for that reason.
IF the State provides the hospital, it's
faculty, and a variety of expensive expe
dients, and the unfortunate are received.
treated, and everything known to science
and practice brought inso requisition and
all fail! and in dne time the patient is
considered incurable, has not the State
filled its measure of charity and benevo-
lence, and should it be required to assume
the responsibilities of individuals and
families, whose ties are loosened by indif
terence, or broken by neglect.
1t it well to check the natural spring of
affection in the family, by taking all re-
sponsibility from it, and transferring it
to the State? Charity grows cold when
an affection, or the skeleton in the family
can be and is bequeathed to the public
In 1865, we learn from this report.
that an act was passed, requiring pay
ment to be made by those of ability, for
their maintenance while inmates of the
hospital. In 1867 this act was repealed,
leaving and reqairing the State to pro-
vide for the entire expense of supporting
this hospital. If such legislation is Just,
and to be just and consistent in the 1e-
Dealino act the State should Immediately
provide for the four hundred or more