The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-01-03

The causes of the insanity of those admitted
during the wear were as follows:

lOtdi' loO
The civil condition of those admitted during
the year is as follows: Married, 81 men and
43 woment single, "a men and % women; wild
overs, 10; widows, Is.
The hospital has been in existence since Oc-
tober, 1910, since which time 4778 patients
have enjoyed its benefit. 1873 have been dis
charged, of whom 1906 recovered, 831 imprOv-
ed, 733 unimproved and 903 died. OF the num-
Der in the Hospital at present so are wholly
supported by the state, 299 receive state aid to
the amount of 81 30 per week; and Sc either
pay their own expenses or are supported by
their friends.
Aside from i'll health, intsmperance out
ranks all other causes of insanity, fact which
induces DR.. Harlow to consider at length the
effect of alcohol upon the system. The con-
cluslon which he arrives at is that the use of
intoxicants, whether moderately or to excess,
seriously lmpaiCs the nervous system and is
predisposing cause of large part of those dis
eases which affect the brain. with no in
temperance in the land" says DR.. Harlow, "the
third or fourth generation would be vastly more
free from the ills of life than the present race
row is, and the Intellectual and moral tone
would exist upon higher plane than we now
see it,
During the year many improvements have
been made in the building which have added
greatly to the comforts of the patients. Water
has been introduced and when the works are
entirely completed no hospital in the country
will be better protected against fire. A tram
way leading from the new kitchen basement
to the varlons elevators of the different dining
rooms OF the wings has been built; also
large elevator TO: raising supplies to
and lowering food from the kitchen to
the portable distributing cars; the room
formerly occupied as a chapel has been
divided and furnished for sleeping apartments;
the old kitchen has been stripped and renovat-
ed and fitted up as dining room for the ac-
commodation ofemployes; the old storer DOM
and the employees dining room has been con-
verted into apartments for sick patients; the
seamstress room in the new building has been
fitted up and is now occupied, and several
other Improvements have been made. The
new chapel and assembly room was formally
opene ed with appropriate services February 10,
1876, since which religious services have been
held there every Sunday afternoon.
Notwithstanding the law OF 1874 which pro-
vides for the removal of the demented and idi-
otto, there is still need of more room for pa
tients, need which during the year has been
quite pressing, especially on the female side of
the house. The male wings have been re.
leved by the occupation of the two wards ia
the brick building originally built for a chapel
To make the accommodations equal on both
sides of the house, it may be deemed advisable
to erect building to accommodate thirty or
forty more females, and thereby remove the
pressure from the most crowded part of the
hospital-the female wings. 1t would require
but small outlay. Probably such building
as would be needed. similar in size and of
much better construction than the one in front,
could be built and furnished for about three
fourths the cost of that one, which would be
less than five hundred dollars for each occu-
pant In the judgment of the Superintendent
this would prove an economical expenditure
Dr. Harlow renews his recommendation that a
separate building be erected for the accommo-
dation of the criminal insane.
REPORT OF THE STEWARD.
Mr.. G. b. LarkiD, the Hospital Steward, re-
ports that the balance on hand at the begin
ming of the year was So, 367.03 The receipts of
the year have been 94,629.13 of which 1884,
SOIL was from the state for. the support of
patients, and $54, 421. SO was from towns and
individuals for the same purpose The dis
bursements for the same period have been
$96, 627 60, leaving a balance in favor of the
hospital of So, 1853 80. The present resources of
the institution are $45 745 ST., and liabilities
$9,095.22, making the net resources $34 ,66O.59.
cHAPLAIN's REPORT.
From the report of the Chaplain we learn
the occupancy Of the chapel for religious ser.
vices commenced on the Sabbath following,
February 18th, and every Sabbath afternoon
since, a large and decorous audience has gath
cred in the place for the worship and praise Of
God. AS was anticipated, the attendance has
more than doubled, averaging at least one hun.
bred and fifty persons for each service. A new
choir has also been organized, under the leader.
ship of Mr.. A. B. Hodskins, composed of off
GERS and others connected with the hospital,
which adds very much to the interest of the
Sabbath service. The organist, Miss Alice
Twitchell, has faithfully and acceptaby filled
the place for the last two years.