The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-10-03
DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND INSTITUTE.
Report from the State Board Of
Health upon Charges Preferred
Against the Management by Dr..
MculJcr Of New Ulm.
ST. PAUL, MIMI, }
Sent. 24th. 1874. &

! 10 his EXcellency, u. n. DAVIS, Governor
Of Minnesota:
SIR: have the honor respectfully
to report that, in accordance with your
instructions of July 3, 1874, the State
Board of Health has investigated the
truth Of the charges against the man
agement of the Institute for Deaf,
Dumb and Blind at Faribault. These
charges are contained in letter to you
enclosed for the action of this Board,
and in letter to the Secretary Of this
Board, both by DR.. Alfred Meuller of
New Ulm.
The charges are:
l. That Robert Hauenstcin, pupil
of the Institute at Faribault, he being
dumb and deaf, returned to his home at
New Ulm in June last "his head, back
Of neck, that part Of the back between
the scapulae (shoulders) covered with
vermin, Qice and eggs) the part between
the scapulae covered with scabs, and
under the scabs lice; also that this
disease was contracted at the Institute
2. That this filthy condition must
have been widespread at the Institute.
8. That "the clothes brought home
with the boy in his trunk, although
they did not show any vermin, were
packed up in a dirty state and not
washed.''
i. A general charge that for the
above reasons gross neglect on the
part of the immediate attendants Of the
children must have existed for some
time past.
Due notice and copies of the papers
in the case were given to the Board of
Directors Of the Institute, who asked
for thorough investigation of the do
mestic management Of the establish
ment.
am directed to state that the con-
clusions reached by this board are:
l. That the first charge is proven.
Second. That the second charge is
not proven, as no evidence has been
presented; this Board, nor has the
Board been able to find that other pu-
pills were in the condition of Hauen.
stein.
A personal examination by a commit.
tee of this Board failed to discover any
evidence Of the presence of vermin, in
the dormitories, bedding or bedsteads
of the institute. The pupils had gone
home for vacation when the complaint
was received and the visit made.
Third.-The third charge is proved
and admitted by rhe authorities Of the
Institute. It is explained to the salts.
faction ofthis Board by the fact, also
proven, that rs the pupils 60 home on
Wednesday, the trunks are packed on
the preceding Saturday or Monday, SC
that one weeks wash must be sent
home with them dirty. Clothing is no,
repaired at the close of the term at the
Institute.
Fourth. The fourth and general
charge is not proven by the evidence
of the complainant, nor by the report O
the committee ofthis Board.
This Board further find that the neg
lect in this case of Haucnstein, was oo
casioned by the delegation of the duty
Of cleaning the boys heads and attend
ing to their baths, to irresponsible,
subordinates or pupils by the Assistant
Matron and Steward.
It is proper to state that the Direc
tors and Superintendent of the institute
have expressed their satisfaction tina
the facts developed by the investiga
ton have come to light. They assur
US that no efforts Of theirs shall b
wanting to prevent a repetition of thi
! case.
81 The investigation Of the domesti