Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-12-18
The Maine Insane Hospital.

The reports Of the Trustees, Superin.end-
ent and other officers of the Maine Insane
Hospital, were laid before the Governor and
Council yesterday. The Trustees are VIM.
B. Lapham, John I. Gilman, A. G. Wake
field, L. l.. PattaDgall and \. 7. Monroe.
They report ''rough their chairman, Dr..
Lapham, THAI the monthly and quarterly Wis
its have been made, according to law;
every patient has been seen, and all cases
which seemed to require it have been inves-
tigated; the entire hospital buildings have
been examined, and the general treatment of
patients and management of the institution
made matters of inquiry and thorough inves-
tigation. In these visits the past year, the
Trustees have found the hospital in good con-
ditlon, the Officers and attendants faithful in
the discharge of their duties, and the patients
as comfortable as could reasonably be expcc-
ted
The hospital continues crowded. 1t was
built for the accommodation of $50, but dur
ing the year the number has reached 400 ard
upwards, showing that the prejudice against
hospital treatment is passing away. This
crowded condition can be relieved by enlarg-
ing the accommodations on the present hos
pital farm, or by establishing a new institu-
ton, in some other section of the State; but
to build in the vicinity of the present one,
would be by far the most economical. The
farm is large enough and the outbuildings
sufficient for the use of an Institution twice
the size of the present one. The officers of
the present Institution could manage both,
and the expenses in ali respects would be
much less than what would be required to
support two similar Institutions in different
parts of the State. In case another hospital
should be erected near the present one, it
may be thought best to still farther separate
the sexes, and the different classes of pa
tients. Attention is again called to the abu-
SEES under the provision of the statute which
allows the treasurer to charge the State with
$3.50 per week in part support of such as
are without means and whose relavetis are
not liable for their expenses. Certificates
from municipal officers certifying to the abl-
ity of patients or their friends are found unre-
liable, and the State is often imposed upon.
An order was passed by the last legislature
directing the Trustees and Superintendent to
ascertain the practicabilty and expense of
moving the unfinished brick chapel to the
rear of the hospital. No provision was made
for the expenses that would naturally be in
cured to obtain such estimates, but the SUI
perinteudent has obtained such information
as he could without expense, and it will be
submitted to the legislature.
The Trustees have appointed clerk to
the hospital, as permanent officer, and have
voted to employ another assistant physician,
at salary not exceeding $500 per annum,
and ask the approval of the legislature.
Considerable Improvement has been made
the past year in the way of identifying the
grounds, with the aim to remove as far as
practicable the prison-like aspect which the
hospital has heretofore exhibited, and make
it appear more like an asylum. The improve