Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-03
MAINE INSANE HOSPITAL.
IL ports OF the Several Officers of the 1
sutution.

The report of the Trustees of the Maine In
sane Hospital will show that during the past
year many improvements have been made for the
welfare of the inmates. An abundant supply Of
water has at last been secured the particulars of
which have already been given in these columns
The imperfect ventilation of the buildings has
long been a matter of great anxiety to the Board
and inquiry has been made and plans discussed
and experiments made 10 obvate the difficulty.
In their report of last year, and in several pre-
vous reports the attention of the public
called to this important subject. They became
satisfied, that il would be useless to make large
expenditures of money for this purpose until the
cooking department was removed from the main
building, and a sufficient quantity Of water was
at hand TO meet all the wants OF the institution.
This has been accomplished and thorough sys-
TEN OF ventilation will now be carried forward.
The drainage has been provided for in such
manner to remove 20 a safe distance all often
sive materials and odors.
The farm is now under high state
of cultivation, its aggregate products
being largely in excess OF those of any
previous year. This result is largely due TO
the successful utilization of the sewerage of the
hospital, which formerly ran to waste. and TO the
use of fertilizers manufactured on the farm at
comparatively small cost. The ingredients, such
bones and the refuse matter from the siaugh-
ter house, have all been carefully saved, and by
a simple and cheap process, most valuable fer
tzer has been produced for various uses on the
farm. The stock on the farm shows great i'm
provement, giving evidence of much and
skill on the part of those who have 1t in charge.
The monthly inspections have revealed the
fact that the patients have been humanely treated
and their wants supplied. The finances of the
hospital have been ably managed by the accom-
plished Steward and Treasurer, MIR. {. b. Lakin,
A careful examination of the bills for supplies of
various kinds, and of all other expenditures,
shows that all purchases have been effected at the
lowest cash prices, and all di,burse nents Jude
iously made. The total receipts during the past
wear, from all sources, have been S99, 99G. IL
.sbursements, 500 1927 60.
The number of patients remaining in the hos
pital on November 80, 1875, was 403. The daily
average for the year previous was $685. The num-
| Der remaining November 80, 1876, is 405 and the
| daily average 1893, being the same that of the
| preceding year. The greatest number remaining
in the hospital at the close OF the hospital year
was on November 80, 1873, when there were All
patients remaining, and the daily average for the
year, 400. The daily average for 1874 was 4O6
In view Of these facts, and considering that the
population Of the State is not supposed to be In
creasiDg to any important extent the trustees are
of opinion that no appropriation is needed from
the State for the purpose of erecting buildings fol-
| the greater accommodation of the insane, at least
for the present year.
| There has been change Of officers during the
! year. The Trustees are +. l.. Pattsngall, f. W
! Woodbury., A G.. Wakefield, III. A. Shorey, j OH
| L. Gilman, John w. Chase.
| The report of the able and experienced Supt
DR.. H. NJ. Harlow, shows that 1856 patients have
| been admitted during the year-l07 males, 79 fe
males, making a total under treatment of 5S9-
3l9 males, 270 females.
There have been discharged during the yea