Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-02-04

Maine Inssn, Hospital.
II is undels ool that the committee of the leg
i.latuie on the Insane Hospital are giving very
special consideration TO that part Of the Govern
ors message which relates to this institution. The
views Of the Governor with reference to the ne
cessity of an enlargement Of accOmmola ions for
patients and facilities for THEN trea'mo N will have
increased weight, from the fact tuat the annual
report of the Hospital recommends the same
acuon. 1t l. undoubtedly The opin on of all who
are familiar with the Workings OF he hospital,
that 1t has ouigrOwn Its accommodations aud the
ability of the executive force nov employ ed 10
10 its work. This force As able and ADM
rably fitted as in any stu liar Institution in the
country, but there are limits TO al human CapacI-
~. There has been an average daily number of
more than four hundred patients dHling the past
year, and the humber Of appl cations must ncces-
sally increase every year. The Pennsy lyaDia
Hosl ital for the insane-one of the best ia the
country-has but little larger number than Is in
the Maine Hospital, and yet requires and has
more than double the number Of physicians, aud
much more extensive facilities IN other respects.
II Is the opinion of most experienced men that
three hundred and fifty patients are all that one
administrative department can well manage.
Six hundred IN all, have been in the Hospital dui
ing the year.
The building il too small, for the number now
there. The ella = hcaton i necessarily most i'm
perfect The Superintendent would make dou lie
the number of classes which he has, if he
could. The lecovery Of patients is grca ~ re-
tarded by their being obliged. of,cn, to be put
near noisy, excited patients. II l. almost impos
sible, IN the present crowded state OF the building
TO find the quiet ace which the Superintendent
would be glad TO give, AMI which onght TO be
given to a certain class of patients.
The Trustees are obliged from time to time, to
send away many who ought to remain, because
room must be made f1r more urgent cases. These
+h.,sn rbn l.xr - - h.
essly insane. These are such wise humJui-
ty would provide for III just such place a. this.
And yet these, whose ouly hope of an endurabe
existence l. in having the care of TIN, hosp al,
are discharged to the care of friends who coLfess
that they cannot take care of them or to the ter
der mercies oil an aims house. Seventeen such
were discharged short TINE ago, ana their places
are already hled aud the ho-plt,l i, in the first
month OF the year, crowded to lis utmost capac
ity. The prospect fJl the rest OF the ear can
not be pleasing 10 those who are yet TO need the
benefits winch can only be found here.
There are many hdndreds of Insane persons in
the State who ought to be 10 this Hospital for no
one familiar with this Institution doubt that,
il II is enlarged is demanded il will he the best
of all places for the insane. No home can pro.
vide the benefits which are here enjoyed. Among
those who already suffering the fearful atllc
ton of mental arrangement, or who viii be
afflicted IN coming months, there are macy who
would be speedily restored II they could q once
receive treatment here; but, if they are not very
soon relieved, they will sink lOto q condition of
hopeless insanity. The Hospital ought to stand
with open doors for every such case. II must
soon close them to manv, if the needed enlarge
ment is not made. 1t Is admitted every where,
that each State is bound bv every dictate
Of humanity, justice, ami an enlightened economy
to make provision for all its insane. in the best
manner within its power. What is provided for
ons ought to be provided for all. Surely no one
can fan to feel an emotion of pam, when lie knows
that the State authorities are now compelled again
and again. to send from the doors OF its asy lam
men and women To suil ring greater than w0rGs
can describe, and which its hbelality nj bit ale
viate
The question OF economy cannot he doubtful
one. Patients not received and treated here
promptly, have not rtquenty become con-
trmed maniacs and charge upon the public
even reducing the il families To the same condition
of de pc ndence. The cost OF the OF the insane
is usually greater at their homes than at the hos
pital. Money faithfully expended for the accom-
mediation of the insane, never made any State
poorer.
The question As to the method of meeting the
demands OF tue hospital, may be, as yet, an open
one. Another building OF nearly the capacity OF
the present one seems TO be needed Much less
than this would ne but Temperate expedent and
unsats factory. This State has never been plrsi-
monious: aud it will not now neglect this the
nOblest of all its charities.
Much of the beuifccnt work of the instu
ton is unseen and unknown ave by those who
have come under the shadow of the great calami-
ty which it in its III sslon to tighten. But its
blessings have been none the less for tue retire
ment in which it has done its work. There IL no
form of human suffering so terrible as that which
it exists to alleviate. Let it he permitted to send
back the sunshine and gadness to every heart and
to every home, to which its mereifal charity can
send them.