Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-01-18

the following extracts which ar. NJ ;r.....
70 the public, and which are endorsed \,
every member Of the board. 1t should BE-
e"emoered that this board consist. of three
p"ys'cians-men of high standing in thei,
Proiession-Dr. ]. S. Cushing OF Skovbegan
sylvester Cakes of Auburn. C. W. Jobnson q,
East Machia'; Mrs. Z. A. Quinby of shi. citv
VINO mas devoted q good deal of time to the
care OF the unfortunate insane; r. S. Morrison
oi bangor, one of Governor PIaisted's friend.
ana appointees, successful merchant. and
Mr. ). H. Manley of this city. The las,,xo
members Of the board devote their atten.
tion more exclusively to the business man.
agement of the Hospital. The trustee, s.v
we believe the Maine State Hospi,al i.
gradually, year by year, reaching higher
Piahe OF usefulness. and more comnleteIv
accomplishing the high mission for which I,
was established. This is being effected bv
tne united and faithful efforts of all the ofi.
Gals to promote the best interests of the IIo,.
pital and the welfare of its inmates: bv the
many valuable changes and Improvement.
made IN the last few years, which have helped
perfect the internal workings of the Hospi-
those associations and attractions deemed
conducive to their contentment and their re-.
covery, such as have for the past season
dally elected expressions of satisfaction from
patients, friends and visitors.
his representation is only in unison with
tnat IN our last annual report Favorable an
then was, the Trustees soon found that
there were impressions or apprehensions ex
listing in the minds of very many. extending
even to the friends Of patients. that all was
not well at the Insane Hospital. Believing
then, as they do now, that the Maine Insane
Hospital is justly emitted to the confidence of
the pubic and its fostering care, and. that the
public mind and the friends o, those who are
now patients. or may be in the near future,
might be relieved of all unnecessary anxiety
IN this direction. the Trustees deemed it adj.
visable to ask the Legislative Hospital Com.
mltfee, IT desirable on their part, to make
full and thorough investigation into all the
affairs Of the Hospital and its general man.
agement.
1T iswell known to the people of this State,
and IN other States, that such an investigation
was made, reaching back over long series
OF years. and extending into the very minutie
OF hospital work, from the efficiency of of.
hcers and faithfulness of attendants, to the
cure and treatment of its unfortunate
'hhates. " going into the details OF
this investigation. so fresh in the minds of
the people, it is sufficient to saw, that the
Committee. composed Of intelligent and
impartial men, after a long and patient
hearing of all that could be said, both
for and against the institution, were
able to render such a report that. in their
opinion, not only indicated it from all .us-
picions and aspersions but reflected great
credit and honor upon all the officials of the
Hospital for their faithful and valuable SER
vices, which should be a source of .atisfac-
ton to our State. and to the many friends of
four hundred and fifty patients, in the assur-
ance the Committee gave, that their friends
have comfortable home, are kindly watched
over and provided with all that may help to
restore them to a sound mind, to their home.
and to a life of usefulness.
The Maine Insane Hospital with its
officers, is not the only institution of the
kind which has been the object of unfriendly
criticism and suspicion. The history of similar
institutions is repete with like experiences.
This must necessarily be, so long as patients,
though with fevered brains. perverted reason,
and morbid impressions. are vet capable of
relating cunnningy devi ed tales of abuse
and neglect, too often to find credence in the
minds of those unfamiliar with the character
istics of insanity. and so long, too. as dis
missed attendants and disaffected spirits can
throw into the avenues of public gossip dis
creditable reports upon honorable transac-
tions and unavoidable circumstances.
ATTENDANTS.
"The attendants, with few exceptions,
we believe, have been competent and faithful
in their care and supervision of the unfor-
tunate ones committed to their charge. HUI
man nature has its fralties. Therefore some
Of hop, uro fouud in attendants Not every