Daily Kennebec journal., 1881-02-23
NAMES INSANE
Another Days Work of the Investi-
eating Committee.
Ahe testimony Against the uos,,
Closed.
Eight Suggestions for Imrr.

Inc people of Maine are ;n,o,
es'ed In all that pertains to the State a.
io' 'he insane, and the sessions of Comm;,
are largely attended. DIR. Harlow sune,
in'e"dent OF the Hospital, was called u.
was examined by Mr. Fall, and testified ~.
"'e 'he rounds of the wards ever,
''oinins from 80 to 7.30 o'clock. and in
'pected the physical condition of every -.
'ient. Dr. Sanborn also goes tbrouob n.
hospital each morning. There arc a. n,o.
en' fp patients, little more than half o.
"hom are males. There are 40 attendant,
'"o-thirds of whom have had previous er
Perience in their occupation. either at ,h.
Maine Hospital or other hospitals. DIR. Har
low SAID that he did not favor the emplox
ihent OF female physician at the Asvlum
IL had once been tried, and was found not >,
work well. Witness stated at leno,b tho -,
rious amusements and diversions which are
employed at the Hospital to distract the
minds of the unfortunates from their mala.
dies. DIR. Harlow was questioned in regard
10 Improvements which might be made in the
MAINE Hospital. DIR. Neal was skillfnl
physician and was good man to the patients,
but was not loyal to the institution. and wa q
connivlng to supplant witness. Did not know
that there was any freemasonry among at
PENDANTS by which cruelty and abuses were
covered up. The Doctors testimony occn.
pied an hour and half, but covered points
already fully reported in the Journal.
Mrs. u. w. Qulnby, by request of Mr..
Fall. read short statement to the Committee
which gave her views, as one of the
trustees. The lady stated that she regarded
the trustees as the protectors of the insane.
She thought that the Maine Hospital did not
stand IN the front rank in some respects, but
did not think abuses would be sanctioned by
the officers if they were aware of their exist
ence. She recommended the following i'm
provements
l. The employment of a larger number of
attendants, and Of more experienced attend
ants.
2. The employment of two head nurses
one on the male and one on the female side
of the Hospital.
3. The employment of night engineer, by
whom the halls and sleeping rooms could be
kept at healthful and even temperature dur
ing the night.
4. A board of visiting physicians, consist
ing of from three to seven experienced and
successful practitioners. These physicians
should frequently visit the Hospital, and
thoroughly inspect the condition of the in
mates, treatment employed, etc.
5. Better discipline among the attendants
to better prevent the danger of abuse.
6. The employment of female physician
for the female wards.
Z. That some plan may be devised by
which violent patients may be kept covered,
and not thrust into the ''lodge" in nude
state.
s. More individual treatment of cases.
Cross-eramined.-Think the attendants, as
a general thing, are humane. Think some
slight preparation may have been made at
times, when 1 visited the Hospital, and
things smoothed up for my reception. Know
that the present engineer is very faithful
man, and works great number of over
hours Know that the temperature has not
been allowed to fall below 62 degrees
in the entire building during the coldest
nights. As lady visitor went to the Asylum
one cold night and found the lowest temper
ature in the lodges to be 5G degrees, and the
average Was about 65 degrees. On the night
in question the steam had been shut off unusu.
ally early.
DIR. Neal called. Insane Hospitals have a
double purpose-to cure and to keep patients.
Don't think the Maine Hospital is up to the
times; it is not a progressive institution
Think that if man of larger abilities than
DIR. Harlow had been in charge of the Maine
Hospital for ten years, the discipline would
have been better. The chief idea at the Name
HOSPITAL seemed to be to lay up money; cur
ing patients is subordinate to this. Think
that every insane hospital needs female
physician. The way things are now. there
would be trouble at the Insane Hospital II
woman physician should be placed there.
Cross Eramined-The patients under my
charge received sufficient attention medically
but were neglected by the attendants
There was no discipline in any OF the halls
Told DIR. Oakes so. Knew what the orders
of the superintendent were, and did not give
orders contrary thereto. Never knew the su
perintendent to give an order which the stew
ard disobeyed. Am in favor of female phy'
s;c;an. Know that in large number OF nos
n;tals there is a strong feeling in opposition
to the employment of female physician
think that it is prejudice. He preferred th'
"strap' and "jacket" system to the "lodRe'
Redireet.-I employed counsel because
thought the trustees were disposed to make
scapegoat of me, and thought best ''
defend myself.
Adjourned until evening.
EVENING.
A large crowd was in attendance upon 'n'