Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-09
OUR INSANE HOSPITAL.
me Legislative Committee proh;,.
Things to the Bottom.
NO Very Damaging Facts ELECTED
as Yet.

Trustees, also seconded the reo,.s. ~
witnesses accordingly were sworn.
LII. +. e. Neal testified: When closed
was taking about the food While at tho
hospital made several complaints in regard
10 the food, which were not attended IN Ro-
iore left had talk with DIR. Oake. on.
OF the Trustees, in which informed him that
the attendants were derelict in their duties
and that proper discipline was not maintained
IN the halls. DIR. Neal then touched upon tho
water supply Of the Hospital In the summer
OF 1877 the water first gave ont and b.s =,
ways been more or less scarce ever since
during the summer months. The vi,nes.
| reiterated his charges against Captain Lakin's
aheeed usurpations, saying that DIR. Harlow
did not dare to spend cent except under the
advice and consent of his Steward.
Question by DR.. Butier-'.Were not the
doors In the interior Of the Hospital, leading
to the different wards. usually locked during
the day time, while you were there?,
Ansrer.-''They were"
ny Dr. Bmter.-''It has been testified
here that these doors were kept unlocked in
the day time"
Dr. Neal then mentioned the case of a ma
tient who was severely injured BY a violent
maniac, during the absence of the attendant
by Dr. Butfer-''Have you known to be
cooked and be put upon the table, for the
food OF the patient. the meat of an animal of
different condition and gender from what
the law allows?"
Ans~er-"I do not know what the law al
lows. know that hog was killed there
which was very old, and the pork was verv
rank. This was put upon the table"
Witness asserted that the bath rooms and
tubs were kept in a filthy condition; INSULT
ciently supplied with towels; that Stops and
garbage were thrown into the tubs by the
attendants. Have known violent patients to
be put into the ''lodge," without a shred of
clothing upon them, and there remain naked
while there was frost upon the window panes
On cross examination by Mr.. Baker, DR..
Neal testified that while he was assistant phy-
stefan at the Hospital he had reported large
number of attendants to DIR. Harlow for inef-
ficiency and unfaithfulness. DR.. Harlow
paid no attention to his complaints. The at
PENDANTS frequently disobeyed his commands
In regard to the slops from the dining-rOom
table being thrown into the bath tub he said
that there was no better place to put them
temporarily. The tubs were always cleansed
before the patients bathed themselves.
In regard to the tainted beef. he had personal
knowledge of but two instances. Both of
them he reported toDr. Harlow.
By Mr.. Baker.-"You stated, Doctor,
that you once held a position in hospital
in Illinois, where you received a larger
salary. Why did you leave that hospital to
come to Maine?"
Ansrer.-'.For several reasons. My wife
wanted to come. l had been assured by one
of the Trustees that should lose nothing by
coming"
Question.-"You hoped to supplant DIR.
Harlow, did you not?'
Aasmer-'.I expected, should vacancy
occur, to make an application for the place
When witness left the Hospital he present
ed bill for some $1,000 to the Trustees,
thinking that in justice they should give him
rs much as he would have received had he
remained in the Illinois hospital.
BIZ NJ. Baker-'sYou have seen an ar
ticle in the Boston Herald recently in rela-
ton to the Maine Hospital. have you not:'
Bv Dr.. Neai-"I have"
By M Baker-"Did you write that ar
ticle?"
BIZ DR.. Neal.-'No, sir"
By Mr.. Baker-'sDoes that letter reflect
your sentiments"
By DR.. Neai.-"It does"
BIZ Mr.. Baker.-"Do you know who
wrote the Herald article?"
RI DR.. Neai.-..I do not; no more than
the man in the MOON
DR.. Neal was then shown page OF the
ORIGINAL manuscript of the Herald article,
which contained pointed charges OF gross
announcement in the Maine Hospital, ana
swore that it was not in his handwriting anu
that he did not know who wrote It,
BIZ DR.. Harior.-.'Do you not know that
the cook who served up the tainted meat, was
removed?"
1usrer.-sI do; he was discharged"
m DR.. EQfOn.--'HOW ibuShuV yoA N'A'~
the Maine Hospital is behind the times.as re-
GARD, scientific treatment of insanity
4asrer.-s.I cannot say"
Rv DR.. Eafoa.-..What do you think OF
the emplovment of female physician. >,
4nsrer-..I think every hospital should
have female physician. Aha
Mr.. II. W. Lawson, mason NJ Tue
u,,n;tal. succeeded Dr. Neal as witness
His employment was such as took MN
through all parts of the Hospital. hau
seen n patent called Tim abused by the
ot,endents. Saw an attendant choke man
down in the lodge. The man had thrown
stones through the windows and otherwise
Ont mn. and this choking was administered rs
. punishment. This case happened IN $50
Have been at the Hospital nearly hve years
and these two cases of abuse of patients are
all that have seem. .h;,l
QUESTION by DR.. Harior-"Do you think
,,.t these attendants would have renamed IN
,hc asy,um if had known that they aouseo
patients?" r.,o,,a have to
nick up their dunnage and go: H.
Ry S,pator Patiangali-"Mr. lawson, 10
.o,, ,b;nL that Doctor Harlow would perm"
patient to be abused: