Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-22
THE INSANE ASYLUM
announcer Days Work of tho 1,
tlgating Committee
Nearing the End.

'"''e' Ill the hall OF Representative al,
Sa'a DR. Butler. We are ready to nroce.f
With the investigation" pew
4. B. Hodgkins called. Have
"eH'eu with the Insane Asylum twen,v.,~,
yeHrs--two years as an attendant and ,,ro,,,
years as male supervisor. Iwas ono 90 =,
celebrated three" who were DISCHARGED g.
gong TO party without permission from
IT, Harlow. l obtained permission from
H. "ahoorn, and went off in COMPANY with
nine male attendants and a number If fsm.,,
attendants. Upon inquiry witness gave hi.
opihloh upon the question of inmates GETTING
out OF the Hospital in case of a fire NJ
hodgkins thought that if fire should 90,
under much Roadway, and the wards were
iuii Vi smoke, and panic should arise
among the patients, more or less lives wou,d
be sacrificed. Witness stated that while he
was at the Hospital he always had notice
when the Visiting Committee came He
used to inform the attendants under him
when visitors were going through the wards.
IL Is the general practice at the Hospital for
attendants to read in their rooms. The of;
GERS knew of this.
by DT. Butier.-''There is a hot house at
the Hospital where beautiful flowers grow.
Did you ever know patients to be taken out
TO look at their blossoms and green leaves
and drink in their fragrance?"
Answer.-'I can't say that did. Insane
folks don't generally care nothing about
flowers
by Dr Butier.-''Was there any musical
instrument in your department"
Ansrer.-"There was billiard table,"
Laughter.
By DR.. Butler.--You don't get nv idea. |
want to find out what there is to distract the
attention of the unfortunates from their
maladies.''
Answer.-''Some of the attendants play on
a violin.''
By DR.. Butier.-The walls are covered
with steel engravings of scenes from
Shakespeare's dramas-many of them scenes
of violence. Do you think these e.gravings
"ouiu tSuu W SOOtHc tiic luSduc.
Ansner.-''I amt much of Judge of pic
lures myself
Witness continues While at the Hospital
l became cognizant of quite number of
cases of abuse, but, upon reporting them to
DR.. Harlow, the attendants were invariably
discharged. In the summer patients are
sometimes taken out doors to work on the
farm. One of the patients, in feeble health,
was taken out one afternoon, and left alone
under tree. While there alone he was sun
struck, but recovered after while.
Cross examined are always
eager to get out into the fresh air, and
more apply for permission than can be ac-
commodated. There is piano in the
Amusement Hall for the benefit of the in
mates. During the twenty-five years he had
been at the Hospital he had seen but fopr
instances where patients were abused by the
attendants Never saw IA case of abuse that
didn't report, and in every instance DIR.
Harlow at once discharged the offender. Had
seen one case outside which he called abuse.
A man named Sweeney, worked every
day and Sundays in the engine house wheel
ing coal When his health failed, he was
sent TO the poor house When the men out
doors wanted a patient for labor they were ac-
customed to take whomever they wished They
never asked witness if they could take patients
out but did just as they pleased, without
saving a word to the attendants. Think
Sweeney was taken out and broken down by
hard work. While at the Hospital witness
did his best to do his duty. The bath tubs
were not allowed to remain filthy. No un
cleanliness was permitted in anything or any
where which could possibly be avoided. Dr.
Harlow always told him to have things IN
good shape when visitors came; but there
were no very important changes made as the
rooms were always kept in as good con-
dition as possible. Sometimes they put fresh
wearing apparel upon patients when their
friends were coming to see them. Ihere are
a good MANY things about that institution
that Won cannot keep in frst-class shape all
the time. Knew of frequent instances wiiere
attendants passed as many as two hours VI
their time in their rooms, reading. Did
ro, consider that they were thus violating the
sr;r;t of the rules which govern the lnstitu-
zion Reported this to DR.. Neal, who re-
monstrated with the attendants. 1t didh
have much effect.
Psd;reet.-There might have been hun
,.oa c.ses of abuse which did not see
Bv Mr.. Baker.-"Did you leave the
institution feeling agrieved?'
4nsrey.-.I don't think DIR. Harlow used
me just right
Rv M. Baker-''You say that hundred
.sos of abuse might have occurred while
,.n, we're at the Hospital which you could not
see. Do you think as many cases re"''E W
curred, or half as many:
4usrer-''No, sir. ,-,o.
Rv DR.. Butier.-''Did you ever Auo"
hath tubs to be used for such nameiess pun
Noses. in any other place.!
Po ~, ", Baker.-"What do you mean oy
nameless purposes. Doctor! $500, Car a
Dr BnfIer.-"Thcy were used ior d
rocent;cle for slops, and occasionally rs
privy." an, uodskins. did YOU
over hear the term 'churning used While
ION were at the Hospital: .,,o