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

that OF the able ana Iallil11i superintendent
of the institution, DR.. II. NJ. Harlow, in
which are given facts and suggestions rela-
ting to the condition and internal management
of the institution and the general subject OF
insanity, all OF which come within the scope
of his duties. The results Of the years work
in this noble charity are quite satisfactory.
Officers and employees have been faithful to
duty. The large household has been exempt
from serious accident and extraordinary sick
ness and goodly number of the inmates have
been restored to health and reason, and are
now with their friends at home. There have
been admitted during the year POP patients -
ll3 males and 80 females, which added to the
number in the hospital at the close of the
lost fiscal year 1861, will make the whole
number under treatment 57O-299 males, and
27l females. OF these there have been dis.
charged l11-l00 males, and - females.
Condition of the discharged: recovered 70
46 males and SO females; improved 34-22
males and II females: unislproyed 1910
males and females; died, 90 males and 90
females. Never before have there been in any
one year SO many admitted and so many dis
charged. The causes of death were as fol-
lows: consumption, eight; epilepsy, six !;
exhaustion of chronic insanity, six; general
paralysis, four; paralysis, three ulaniacal ex-
haustion, three; insanity of old age, three !;
apopleSy, two; gangrene, two; paralysis of
heart, one; congestion Of lungs, one; inAam-
nation of the liver, one; general dropsy, one ;
diarrhCa, one; marasmus, one; suicide, one ;
Inflammation Of the stomach, one
| Tie civil condition of those admitted dur
ing the year we find to be as follows: fifty
two men and fifty women are married; fifty
| nine men and twenty women are single !;
| three are widowers and nine are widows.
| The various causes Of insanity assigned in
| those admitted during the year are as follows :
| Ill health, thirty-six; intemperance, twenty
| six; domestic affection, fifteen; puerperal
| state, thirteen; masturbation, twelve over
| exertion, nine; critical period of life, eight
decay of old age, seven; disappointed affec-
ton, seven; epilepsy, seven; injury of head
six; religious excitement, six; spiritualism,
| four; loss Of property, four; embarrassment
| IN business, three; sun stroke, two; apo
plexy, one; fright, one; Jealousy, one; sup
pressed eruption, one unknown. thirty three
Fortynine of the patients now in the hos
pital are supported entirely by the State, 30i
receive State aid of Sl.50 per week, and 40
pay the whole of their expenses, or are sup
ported by their friends at the rate of four and
81 Iollare IN,
dations.
In October, 1910, the Hospital was first
opened for the reception of patients. Since
that 40l5 have been admitted; 1922 have been
discharged, CT whom 1925 recovered, COS i'm
proved, 59i unimproved, and 7oi have died
Kindness in the treatment Of patients contin-
| ues to be practiced with the most satisfactory
results. Attention is called to the fact shat
increased hospital accommodations are want
ed, and The suggestion made that another
building be erected on the hospital farm, at a
convenient distance from the present build
Valuable additions have been made to the IL
brary, and various contributions of pictures,
books, etc, are acknowledged.
The Superintendent gives variety and in
terest to his report by a calm consideration
of some of the causes producing insanity,
and tie natural remedies; urging care of
the body, as sound mind cannot exist in a
weak and unsound body; the keeping of all
the natural laws; abstinence from tobacco, in
tox!cating liquors, opium, and the like. Pres
cnt habits of eating, drinking, sleeping, work.
Ing, thinking, reading, must be changed.
This can be done by correct education all
along, from the cradle to the grave the
work must begin in the family and in the
common school. To this end the thorough
study of physiology is earnestly recommend
ed
Referring to the general impression that
those who die insane have lighting up of
reason just before death, DIR. Harlow says
there is not anything in the course of the dis
ease calculated to give rise to such a change.
The death beds of the insane are not scenes
where returning reason and spiritual clear
ness can be witnessed.
DIR. Harlow is ably assisted in his duties by
DR.. b. 7. Sanborn, Assistant Superintendent
Under the care of the excellent Steward and
Treasurer, Capt. w. +. leighton, the farm
has been kept in high state of cultivation,
and improvements have constantly been made
With the exception of potatoes, the crops
have been better than an average. The pro-
ducts have been large, exceeding those Of any
previous year, except in the article of hay,
and this is third larger than last year. Many
of the inmates work upon the farm, and it is
to them n great blessing, besides being a
source of revenue. From the report of the
Treasurer we learn that the finances are in a
most satisfactory condition. There is cash
surplus on hand of Sl2 900, and Sl1 900 due
the hospital over its liabilities. This will
enable the Steward to pay cash in advance
for his supplies. The income of the hospital
has exceeded its expenses the past year by
about Sll,0 900.
The Chaplain, Rev. c. T. Penney, of this
citv raports that ra1;D;orc Sorv;o,s have Hoo,