Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-05
MAINE INSANE HOSPITAL.
Condition of the institution-Interes
Abstract of the Reports OF Trustees and
superintendent.


Tho Trustees of the Insane Hospital say in
their report that the various permanent improve
mcnts commenced have been carried forward TO
completion and the water works and ventilation
Of the Hospital are finished, and are giving the
utmost satisfaction. The laundry has been re-
built and iefuinished The aggregate cost OF
these important Improvements IN the years 1876
and 1871 has been in cash S22 $50 %, all of which
has been paid from the income of the hospital, nc
appropriation having been made by the legisa-
ture for these purposes. Besides the cash paid
out n great amount Of labor has been performed
upon them by the regular employees and the
teams of the institution, and many patients have
willingly aided in their execution. Improvements
of a radical char acter have also been carried for
ward on tue farm, such as Undertaking, grad
ing, etc. The aggregate Productions OF the farm
have been very large; some 213 tons Of hay were
secured the past season; the stock of cows has
been improved. The cash sales of young pigs
alone amounted to 81 ,219.3i, while the product
ion of pork not only supplied the wants of the
institution, but a considerable quantity was sold.
The patients have been well cared for, and the
finances Of the institution carefully looked after,
the latter interests being in charge of Mr. G.. Il.
Lakin, the Steward aud Treasurer, VINO probably
has no equal in that capacity The price OF
board. heretofore ~ per week, has been reduced
to $3.50. The Trustees are l.. J.. Pattangsll
II. A. Shorey, +. w Woodbury., John r. Gilman,
i. l.. Richards, j. >. Cushing.
The veteran Superintendent DR.. II. NJ. Harlow
in his report, reports that at no period since the
institution was opened has il been in a more pros
porous and satisfactory condition than at the pres
ent time In all the work of the year, the great
central thought has BEEN how best can the con-
dtlon Of hose placed IN the Hospital be restored,
improved, or ameHorated.
Onlhe lst of December, 1876, the year was
commenced with i0j patients-206 males and
1919 females. There have been admitted since
lJi-l3l males, and - females; making the
whole number under treatment j99-327 males,
and 212 females. The number discharged dur
ing the year Is lo3-lIl males, and y females.
OF those discharged y had recovcred-i IL
males and 3 females ; - were improved-l9 males
and Ii females; % were unmproved-lS males
and 10 females; 80 males and l6 female. have
died. Two were not insane when admitted, hay-
Ing been committed by order of court The daily
average number OF patients during the year has
been fraction over All. an excess OF thirteen
over that Of last year. The per cent. of recov-
cries is larger than in previous years, being 81
and 30 per cent. on the number Of admissions, and
gu the whole number under treatment fraction
over II per cent. The longest time any one was
under treatment who recovered was IA weeks,
the shortest time two weeks, and the average
time about 30 weeks. The average age of those
who died during the year was 30, the youngest
was p and the oldest 81. Four were so aud
over, were between 20 and So | were between
50, II between 80 and 49, > between 20 and 30
The following were the causes Of death Gen
era paralsys, II consumption, s. exhaustive
mania,I; chronic insanity, ) old age, epilepsy,
3; diairhWa, , dropsy, / accidental drowning
paralysis /; mslasmus, and two died by
their own hands.
The assigned causes OF insanity in those admit
ted during the year are As follows: Ill health,
ntemperance. p critical period Of life, 9 mastur-
baiion, 8; over-eNeltion, .; injury Of head, );
epilepsy, 81 domes ic aiiiiction, } , puerFeral, /;
general analysis, /; domestic trouble. 4 inhrm-
ates of old age, / loss of property, 3; sun
stroke, 3 abuse Of husband, , severe catarrh, , {;
religious excitement, .; embarrassment in bust
ness, :; apopleXy, / sphitualism, injury of
-pine, disappointed affection, / ; paralysis, ;
syphilis, lead poison, /; Sc 1ucton, unknown,
%. Following was the civil condition of those
admitted during the year rs males and 30 ie
males were married. 63 males aud y females were
single II were wdowers and 10 widows
II was g years ago the 18th day of October
last that The Hospital was opened for the recep-
ton OF patients. During that time to the present
date, 1919 have been admitted 4j5G have heen
discharged. OF these, 1879 had recovered $40
were improved, 16l were unimproyed, aud 9i9
died.
New causes Of insanity seem to develop anuu-
ally, and the number of patients would be less
ened II due care were given to the physical health,
prior 10 reaching what the old philosophers term
the grand characteristic age OF 60 in men, and
- OF ~ il women. Seeds of i'll sown in
youth, may lie dormant until developed hy the
weakness OF aye. Over indulgence in eating or
drinking, smoking. chewing or shutting tobacco
excuses OF any kind from - to 80 will be felt
from 10 10 60. The point of invasion may be in
any organ of the body but more generally the
heart, lungs OF brain, the latter taking on that
condition which may end in sottenning, OF in a fit
of apopleNy with paralysis following. in the
heart, disease works inslduously and suddenly
arrests the great of circulation no
lie-gving fluid TO cease to ilow aud death en-
sues without warning.
In the medical treatment of patients great dis
elimination has been exercised ia the selection OF
proper remedies, adapted 10 the condition of each
patent. Great attention has been giving to
cleanliness ard diet Scarcely second to the
medical Is the moral treatment, which begins as
soon a the patient enters the Hospital, by gentle
restraint, juccious discipline, kind words useful
employment amusements and recreation add
ed to which are religious services on Sunday, and
an abundance Of good reading at all times.
10 carry out the treatment, the institution has
good corps Of assistants as can be found in any
community, or in any similar institution. They
are young men and women from good families,
intelligent and industrious, such as no one would
object to having in well regulated household
When employed out of the wards, the patients
are IN the care of men and women of judgment
and discretion, who that they do not oyerwork.
The suggestion is renewed that a new brick
building be erected east of the third wing of the
Hospital, for the use of female patients. Other
Improvements are also suggested.
The Chaplain Rev. Mr. Penney, reports that
during the year religious services have been con-
Quoted each Sabbath during toe year, in the
chopel. at is impossible to know just how great
benefits are secured by the Sabbath service mere.
as elsewhere; but each succeeding year of my
ministry convinces me that Gods word shall not
return unto him void, but it shall accomplish that
which he please; and it shall prosper in the thing
whercto it Is sent' and that blessing i sure to
attend it in every place. Its beuefcent results
here cannot be doubted. Scores are here who
need, as none others can, the motives and conso-
laions of Christs gospel; who, while the intellect
is disordered have heart susceptible to the Cos
pei OF love- sympathy and hope. The minis of
the Word is peculiarly adapted to soothe and
cheer such; reinforcing fo!titude, stimulating
hope, and strengthening good purposes"
Summary of Religious Intelligence.
The friends and pensioners Of Rev II. O.
Thayer Of Woowich made surprise visit to the
Congrega ional Parsonage on New Years eve and
left some substantial tokens of theii regard.
A gracious revival is in progress in Gouldsboro
under the Lahore of Rev. W. ". Written. Some
sixty persons have requested payers, the ma ior-
ily Of whom have already found peace in believ.
ing, and are now working earnestly to btlng 9TH
els to the saving knowledge of the truth.