Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-01-09
TIE INSANE HOSPITAL.

TIE INSANE HOSPITAL.
The past year has hcen made notable in the h..
tory of the Insane Hospital by the construction OF
works fol supplying the institution with water.
The source of the supply IS an artificial pond, *
cayated in that part of the farm cast OF the high.
WAY, and 90 situated 20 b. fed bY springs, and
to receive the drainage ol au extensive water
shed. \ substantial reservoir has been huliron
The summit of hill near the pond, OF the capaci-
Is of - lU gallons. The water 10 raised from
the pond 10 the reservoir b. steam power, AMI
conveyed thence through iron mains 90 the hospi-
tai aud distributed by ~ stem OF pipes through
The main building and 10 the various offices and
farm buildings where it j. needed. The water l.
conducted through two nlters-one NJ the outflow
from the pond and one at the outflow from the res
eryor-and L. perfectly clear and pure where II Is
drawn for use. Water may be forced AZ need ut.
recy from the pond 10 the hospital. IL II belieN'
cd that the supply will be ample ~ all seasons for
all uses and eNigcncicS.
While i, is matter OF the first necessity 10 the
proper conduct OF such an institution that there
should DC abundance of water for culinary, clean
sing and sanitary purposes, and for farm uses,
every consideration OF humanity and prudence
lmpcratIyely demands tkatt he lives OF the many
inmates of the hospital, and the valuable property
OF the state should have the fullest protection pos
sibic from the dangers OF lire. The trustees nave
well done their plain duty In making ms lndis-
peusablc provision. The works cost twelve thOu-
sand dollars, and have been PAID Tor from the
hospita. fund
The inception aud execution of this enterprise
are highly crcditab.e to all concerned IN IL.
The amount OF the crops raised upon the farm,
indicates that It's IrOdUctiyene-s has been increas'
cd TO a marked extent. This improvement is un-
doubleday due IN good part 10 the Iert liLNion OF
the soil with the sewerage OF the hospital upon
system which was devised los an Oficer OF the
hospital and has been three years in effect. The
state Board of Health OF Massachusetts have
made this system and !ts operations the subject 0t
investigation, and IN their annual report for 1876
they describe it aud give II their commentator,
as "almost the only system which has stood the
test OF experience in this country
The trustees propose TO provide Of once for the
thorough ventilation Of those wards OF the hOspl-
tai which are deficient in this respect.
The reports for the present year, and former
years, OF the various officers connected with the
hospital make II evident that the capacity OF the
hospital barely sulices for the present number OF
patients, and suggests the Propriety OF seasonal.
bly, providing accommodations Tor the Incl eAse OF
applications for admission which Will attend the
growth of the population OF the State.
The trustees make no request for an appropria-
ton, and am Informed by them that they expect
TO be able soon 10 make reduction OF the rates
charged tor the support OF patients.
The public have always been peculiarly sensi-
tive with regard To the treatment of patients AT
such institutions, and therefore every care should
be takOn To inspire the community with conn
dence in the management OF the hospital. Inc
frequent inspections by the visiting committee are
valuable means TO that end. Whenever any
differences appear between the observations or
opinions of the trustees and those oil Tue commit
rec,ly TO the examination OF the matters In ques'
ton.
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND THE MECHANIC
ARTS.
The leading object of this institution is "to
teach such branches OF learning rs are related to
agriculture and the mechanic arts, IN such man.
ner the Legislature OF the STATE may prescribe
in order TO promote the liberal and practical edu
cation of the ndI stra classes IN the several pur-
suits and professions of life Whatever latitude
Of instruction the terms oil the foundation may
seem 10 permit, II must be evident 10 all who are
acquainted with the sentiment oil the state, That
the prevailing opinion is, that the college should
first OF all lie faithful 10 it's leading object and so
arrange aud limit the course OF instruction that
lis pupils upon completing their course may be
prepared to enter ~ once upon the praellce oil
some industrial pursuit.
The want of facilities for practical instruction
has caused the course OF study in branches felat-
ing to the mechanic arts especially, 10 be neces-
sariiy of general and theoretical character. The
trustees propose, ia order 10 luihl more directly
The object OF the college, and 10 meet The popular
expectation, 10 establish workshops oil instrnc,
ton In the various mechanical trades connected
with the working of wood and metals, BY means
of which students may, by combining the training
OF hand and eye IN actual service at the Jorge,
bench and lathe, III the instruction OF the schoo
room, become intelligent and skilled mechanics
This system has long been III successful operation
in Russia, and meets with the enthusiastic appTo'
val of the best educators who have examined II.
IL has already been adopted by one oil the lore
most schools IN this country.
most heartily approve The recommendation OF
the trustees, and urge You to give u the Iavora'
BILE consideration IL merits.
The sum estimated 10 be required to sdapt The
barn on the college premises and not now IN use,
TO this purpose, and 10 equip the proposed work
shops with the necessary tools ana machinery, Is
very moderate, when the probable benefits OF the
expense are considered. am confident that such
a union of study and practice would attract many
young men, and result in reinforcing manuisclar
ing and mechanical industries with n body OF CD
ucated, skillful, aud ambitious mechanics ana ar
tisans, who would give decided impetus TO the
development of the Industrial resources ana capa'
biIities of the State. The State would thus real
lie substantial profit from the outlay II has al
ready made in assisting TO establish and maintain
the ollege and the college would by 30 clear
maniiestati, Off usefulness, command a great,
IuI and more general appreciation and liberal
and UNREASONABLE support