Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-03
lS4-ll3 males and Il females; leaving in the
hospital to-day 405 patients-2o6 males and 1879

lS4-l13 males and Il females; leaving in the
hospital to-day 405 patients-206 males and 1879
females.
The condition of those discharged appeared TO
be as follows: 80 males and 80 females recovered /;
20 males and females were improved; Il males
and IA females were unmIroyed 3j rsles aud Il
females have died
The longest time any one who recovered was
under treatment in the hospital 329 weeks,
the shortest time weeks, and the average time
was 80 weeks.
The causes Of death were as follows Consump-
ton, IL; exhaustive mania, 9 ; general paralysis
y chronic insanity, !; epilepsy, 6 dropsy, 3 !;
apopleXy, :; liberated sore throat, |; rhcuma-
tIsm OF heart paralysis of heart, / ; and died
by their own hands.
The following are the assigned causes of i1san-
ity IN those admitted during the year III health,
81 intemperance, q domestic trouble, y over
exerton, y; mastnrbation, s epilepsy, s. en-
barassment 10 business, 5; old age, 1; critical
period of life, 4; injury OF head, A disappointed
affection, s; puerperal state 3 general para ysis
Z; loss OF property, 2; sunstroke, 2; religious ell ;
element, 2; suppressed eruption, 2: paralysis, ex-
apopexy, l; suppressed menses,l ; syphilis, !;
sP.ritualism, ; Jealousy, inhalation Of chloro-
form, unknown, ffty-oue.
The civil condition Of those admitted during
the year IS as follows 81 men and 43 women are
married. "a men and % women are single Is are
widowers and l3 are widows.
The hospital has now been in operation over SO
years, having been opened in October, $780, since
which time 4 I7S patients have enjoyed its bene-
hts. 4,313 have been discharged. OF whom 906
recovered, o3l improved, 1873 were uninproved,
and 903 died.
OF the patients 10 the Hospital to day fifty are
wholly supported by the state, two hundred and
ninety nine receive State aid of one dollar and
fifty cents per week, and ffty-six either pay their
own expenses or are supported by their friends, at
the rate OF four or seven dollars per week. accord
Ing to their accommodations.
Gancing at the causes of insanity as they have
been observed the past year, it is found that aside
from i'll health. the well known cause, intemper-
ance, oui-ranks all others; and if we could obtain
all needed light in regard to those under the head
Of unknown, it is appfehended many more would
be placed to the credit Of ntemperance.
Therefore, the superintendent proceeds to offer
few thoughts upon alcohol and insanity, and
comes to the conclusion that if we would hinder
and prevent degeneration of the race, alcohol al
beverage must be forever prescribed.
The various Improvements at the Hospital are
noticed at length by the superintendent.
The chaplain, Rev. Z. F. Penney, reports that
the opening of the year was sig nailed by the COM
pletion OF the chapel and its dedication. 1t has
served most benevolent purpose. In addition
to the regular Sabbath services, the chaplain has
attended the funerals of all who have been buried
fiom the Hospital or placed in the receiving tomb
10 await the disposition Of friends.
The chaplain adds:
OF the Sabbath service to those IN attendance; let
me add that each year of my chaplancy. the
eighth OF which Is now closing, makes more and
more apparent TO me the value of q religious SER
vice Tor the unfortunate class of persons ate ndant
On Them here AS mere sanitary measure, it is
worth teu-fold It's cost to the institution. Its
higher results cannot be estimated"