Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-02-06
The Insane Hospital.

.
The Insane Hospital.
We are indebted to the courtesy Of
Dr. Reynolds for o report Of tho trustees
of the Insane Hospital at this point, to
which is added his own report to the
trustees as Medical Superintendent, and
that of Mr.. Josselyn, the Steward.
| The report Of the trustees IL maialy a
history of the organization Of the Hospi-
tai. Its wants for the next two years
are enumerated as follows: furniturc for
the yet unfinished portions, o barn, the
grading of the grounds, fencing and
breaking, and for contingencies. The
cost of these is estimated at at $4,000.
The report of the Superintendent,
dated Nov. 1st, 1878. shows that there
had at that time been 1876 patients ad,
mitted, of which 50 were transferred
from Mt. Pleasant Hospital, and Al were
received from counties direct. of these
"a have been discharged. Of whom IL
werc fully recovered, improved, Z un.
improved, and was not insane, having
fcined insanity while in Jail on crimi.
nal charge The report says:
Thus far in the history of our hospital not a
single death has occurred. This fortunate immu-
fulness Of the locality, the purity Of the water,
and the almost perfect ventilation Ofthe building
We cannot long hope to escape, as several OF our
patients arc In the last stages OF pulmonary con-
sumption. ne @S
DR.. Reynolds thus sets forth the wants
of the institution -
We need, beside, more room in the hospital
better exercise grounds, roads and walks. Our
tsnts have Walked das Sus he
and fall. Nearly all might have been taken out
during the day II we had proper enclosures while
at ali, simply because there was nothing to be
seen, and no roads except those leading over
stones and sand piles An exercise ground for
Of the building, which Is already partly planted
with shade trees make these remarks, gentle
men, that Others may know, as you do, the Obsta-
ss We haze s wh thus G IN the
kncssli Che people through representatives
in "a Assembly, may give % that aId we SO much
require fopat the institntion on good working
will be in construction. the best hospital in the
country. @ 1asafst = 8af,.-
s. @s*s .@&44s -
believe the best interests of the State require
that the work Of construction shall not again be
interrupted until the hospital shall be completed,
suitable out-buldings constructed. roads and
grounds properly laid out and put In order, and
the whole made pleasant home for that uniOr
worst of maladies from enjoying the comforts
and quiets of any other home, and with this objec,
In view believe it could be more economically
brought, about Il such an appropriation was made
nate amount to be expended annually until the
whole Is completed.
a Of privilege which is apt to degen-
crate into an abuse and annoyance, Dr.
Reynolds thus speaks
1t was feared that the opening of new hospital
would bring large number OF visitors, but for
as to seriously annoy the patients to seriously
interfere with the legitimate business Of the hos
pital. Every day except Sunday We have had a
few, and on one or two occasions as many hs fifty
have passed through some parts of the institution
between the hours Of two and four. They are
usually shown one male and one female ward,
not stopping to converse with, or particularly to
attract the attention of patients. seeing only
those who are not excftabe, and who would not
be the subject of special notice or remark. Some
unreasonable persons are wont 70 insist on seeing
unwilling 10 believe We have none confined,
aud forgetting too often that patients are placed
here partly for seclusion. aud are not on exhibi-
ton. believe that humanity and the best inter
eats of the patients demand that there should be
no visiting of the wards of the Hospital by people
who can show no better reason than curiosity for
their visit,
In conclusion DR.. Reynolds thus bears
testimony to the faithfulness and efficien.
cy of tho attendants of the Hospital,
My thanks are due to the attendants for their
faithfulness In the performance of their arduous
and often exceedingly unpleasant duties. tits
significant fact, In this connection that not sim
gle death, elOpement, or serious accident of any
kind has happened in the institution
l am under great obligations to DR.. House,
Secretary of your Board, for his advice and aseis
lance, not only In special cases. but In the gener
al management OF the hospital.
County Grange Counoil.
INDEPENDENCE, Jan. 2l, IA
The Buchanan County Council, P. of
H., at a regular meeting held Jan. Sd,
chose their officers for the ensuing year:
L. ]. Curtis was unanimously elected
President; Z. C. Belt, Secretary; A. Rise
Icy, Treasurer; J. c. Neidy, G. s. Dawes,
E. P. Brintnall, Trustees; and Emery
Miller, Gate Keeper.
% nation A rtsnlo Al - ~, :,