Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-28
Insane Hospital Inspection by the Visit
Committed.

Insane Hospital Inspection by the Visit
Ing Committee.
Hon. Fred +. Richards of Camden, Hon. Chas
BufFum of Orono, and Mrs. G. W. Quinby Of Au-
gusta, the visiting committee to the Insane Hos
pital, have made to the Governor and Council the
following report Of the results of their visits the
past year:
During the year this institution has been visited
every month by two members Of the committee.
At these visits we have generally passed through
every hall, into the lodges, seeing every patent
talking with as many are disposed to talk, hear.
ing whatever they have to say of themselves or OF
Others. granting any reasonable request, investi-
eating the cause of any complaint made ny them
10 us-our desire having been to faithfully DIS
charge the duties imposed upon us by the Lcglsla-
ture of 1874. We have been gratified to notice
from time to time that improvement mas peen inaue
in many respects.
At the commencement Of the year the Hospital
was in a crowded condition; at that time the pa
ticnts numbered fully fonr hundred. and the num-
Der Of the employees was nearly one hundred. In
some small rooms without suitable iac'''es i0f
In the basement directly underneath the halls
occupied by patients, was the kitchen, where were
employ ed force sufficient to prepare food for five
hundred persons with boilers, ovens and apparatus
of capacity capable. Of accomplishing tins WORK
each contributing its peculiar odor to rise and
mingle with the poisonous air confined IN the halls
above. The actual condition Of the Al. could only
be appreciated by making personal visit to the
dormitores after the inmates had retired for the
night. We mention this particularly IN justice 10
the management of the Hospital, who in the
minds of many are held responsible for the health
and comfort OF the patients, when. as matter OF
fact the arrangement of the building has been OF
a character liable not only to prevent the recovery
of the sick, but to endanger the health OF others
The legislature of 1875 passed a resolve appro-
priatipg twenty five thousand dollars for the erec-
ton of a building which should contain a hall for
a chapel and amusements, and apartments for
other purposes, including Kitchen, and 10 PRO,
vide suitable furniture for the old orick chapel
building, so that it could be used for the accom-
mediation OF patients, and for necessary heating
apparatus. The design of the Legislature mas
been realized, and. in our Judgment, the aprro-
priation was wise, and its expenditure Judicious'
The kitchen arrangement is now both wholesome
and convenient; the employees are well accommo-
dated a large room in o quiet place has been set
apart for the sick, attractive hall affords oppor-
tunity for enjoyment 10 such are cap Abe OF APP
preciating it; two OF the most pleasant and com,
Portable ward halls for inmates have been furnished
and are now occupied in the old chapel building
In our opinion, this appropriation OF Twenty-Five
thousand dollars has obviated the necessity OF
erecting another asvum for the insane for several
years TO come. ...
| During the early part CT the year, the visiting
committee called the attention of the trustees to
mind, and consequently unjus.ly confined. These
cases were Immediately investigated, and the per-
sons discharged. So long as the State continues
to pay one dollar and fifty cents per week toward
the support of town paupers at the Insane Tsp
municipal officers to hasten the end Cat reduced
rae) Of the expense attending the support OF Gn,
fortunate individuals, WHO, by the demcnths
process of age or from some other cause, sre rep
| dered troublesome at home.
! The beds have been examined at different times
and have generally been found in good condition
| One of the duties of the resident member Of
this committee is to collect and mail letters drop
ped by the patients into mail boxes furnished II
every dining hall for the special nse OF the IN
mates. large number of letters have been tax
en- from these boxes and forwarded TO friends
many of whom have opened correspondence
with Mrs. Quinby regarding the condition Of thei
unfortunate relatives and friends. these letter:
have in all cases been promptly answered by her
The general success OF the institution depends
upon the ability OF the trustees, superintendent ant
treasurer, and it is apparent to the most casua
observer, that the general condition OF the Hospi
ial has been greatly improved during the past two