Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-01
Annual Report of the Superinten-
dent of the Maine Insane HOspi-

Annual Report OF the Superlnten-
dent of the Maine Insane HOspi-
tai.
Through the courtesy of the Trustees Of
the Insane Hospital, we have been permitted
to examine the report Of the Superintendent
of the institution, DR.. II. NJ. Harlow, and
present to our readers report of the same.
The Superintendent now reports to the
Board of Trustees, instead of to the Governor
and Council, as heretofore. The year clos
ing has been one Of prosperity; sickness and
distress of an unusual nature have been turn
ed away from the threshold, and a goodly
number have been restored to health and USE
fulness. Notwithstanding The crowded con-
dition of the Hospital, nearly all who have
asked for admission have been received. The
year was begun with 1913 patients-l99 men
and 1914 women. There have been received
since 200-l20 men and 80 women, making a
total under treatment of 593-3l9 men, and
PA women. There have been discharged
from the whole number under treatment dur
ing the year 1S2-1l4 men, 66 women. The
following was the condition of those dis
charged: Recovered, S3-47 males, and sc
females; improved, 36-25 males, and II fe-
males; unimproved, 20-l3 males, and fe-
males; died, 1870 males, and IA females.
The per cent. of recoveries over the number
admitted is larger than last year or the year
previous, it being this year over 40 per cent,
and on the number discharged over As per
cent. The mortuary record shows a less
number of deaths the past year than for two
years previous. The average age of those
who died was over so years. Five were be-
tween so and 90 years of age, seven were
over 20, and IS were between 60 and 70. The
causes of death were as follows: Consump-
ton, G.; senile insanity, 5; paralysis, 4; ma
of chronic insanity. 4; general dropsy, 8;
apoplexy, 3; suicide, 3; exhaustive mania,
3; chronic diarrh9a, /; psoas abscess, l;
congestion of brain, l; epilepsy, l.
While the spirit of suicide appeared to be
an epidemic, the past season, nearly every
fourth patient admitted has exhibited in a
greater or less degree symptoms of this I'M
welcome type of the disease. Two of this
class in the month of July evaded the vigil
lance Of those at the Hospital and accom-
plished their determined purpose. Another,
in the month of August, with strong homic-
dal mania, took his life by strangulation.
The assigned causes of insanity in those
admitted during the year are as follows: Ill
hSaAtus 70 AutSuPclauSV, ~ thoStuicoeAohb
81; critical period of life, 8; over evertion,
s. domestic affection, 81 epilepsy, s. purpe-
raj, Z; decay of age, 5; injury of head, 4;
disappointed affection, 8; paralysis, 3; sun
stroke, 2: disappointment in business, 2;
financial embarrassments, 2; spiritualism, 2;
religious excitement, l !; exposure to cold, /;
general paralysis, /; physical injury, l I'M
known, AZ.
The Superintendent dwells at some length
and ably on that department of the mind
over which fear sits enthroned; of the fret
and worry that lead to insanity brain
worry and not the brain work, that saps the
vital forces and destroys so many. DIR.
Harlow introduces some fine illustrations,
showing that brain work, free from the antag-
onisms of fret and worry, serves to promote
health and longevity; and establishing the
correctness Of the theory that intellectual Ia
Dor pro Sc 10 no hindrance to good health and
long life. A long catalogue could also be
given, says the report, of cases to show that
fretting brain, stepped in worriment, de-