Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-03-07

! hSpcCluCdtlOl NO. o InukcB CudIBc Wy
comparison. In 1880 the former Superin-- /
home 33 at a cost of s., COZ. .03, or SIG. 16 per
capita, while the report of the present
Superintendent showed that in a given
time he had brought 10S patients and
discharged q, at q cost of S2,723.03 or
Sa1 per capita. From the data before them
the committee was entirely unable to de-
termine whether or not there was any mis-
management on the part OF officials. No
itemized accounts were kept nor could 1t
be told from what counties they had brought
patients. As comparison it was shown
the former Superintendent had brought
81 patients from the Third District,at acost
of $3.50 and the present Superintendent
had brought II patients from the same
place at a cost of S509.92, but as the circum-
stances may have been different, the COM
mittee was unable to arrive at any conclu-
sion from this comparison. The former
Superintendent had received special and
low rates of transportation, which fact,
however, was not developed by the exam.
ination. The.present Superintendent had
admitted that he had, on
several occasions, when the regular
attendants could not he spared, sent others
after patients, and always at the regular
rate OF pay which the attendants would
that as the number of patients increased
the risInber Of attendants was kept proper.
tionately small. The committee, while 1t
is unable TO say that any culpabillty
attaches to the Superintendent under this
specification, yet earnestly recommend that
hereafter all account be kept of the money
expended in the transportation of patients
showing specifically what was expended for
each.
Specification nine charged an undue in
crease in the consumption OF alcoholic slim
ulants and was completely disproven. DR..
J. L. Lewis assistant, who held the same
position before, testified that the increase
was largely due to the fact that spirits had
been substituted for chloral hydrate, the
physicians favoring the change. The num-
ber of patients has also largely increased
and more spirits are used in the prepara-
ton of drugs. Once. and by person for
whom the Superintendent was not reSpon-
siblc, faucet was left open in the spirits
room and considerable liquor wasted. Moth
ing to show waste or CarelessneSS was
proven.
Specification l0-This one, charging ne.
gleCt on the superintendent, was not only
not proven, but actually contraycrted, as
it was shown DR.. Bland was exceedingly
attentive to his duties.
that both of DR.. BANDS sons did put up
and compound medicines under direction
OF both Bland and Lewis. but as the boys
were competent the committee finds no
fault therefor.
Specification PIT was proven in this case
that Blanc Starry was always considered asa
harmless incurable and was confined in
compartment known as the Brick ward.
From this he was removed to partitioned
room and remained there some days. The
partition did not extend Ia the ceiling, and
in October, lSSl, in fit OF frenzy, Starry
climbed over it and killed fellow patient
named Rose. The manner OF killing was
not shown, but the corpse showed evidences
of violence. The conclusion reached by the
committee was that heartrending and sad
as this calamity was, the superintendent
and officials could not be held accountable.
and were accordingly eXOnerated.
Specification l3-This charged that VIM.
J. Hope, attendant on Hall No. o. was in
toxiCated. 1t was shown that the Superin-
tendent had no knowledge of this and also
that Hope was good and efficient man and
had never neglected his duties. While the
committee could attach no blame to DR..
Bland they deplored that any one connect
ed with the Asylum should have been
drunk and recommended the immediate
UlSCndTSe VI any peISOH ~ i''H"iS'''6j ~
soon as the facts are known.
Specification 1.-THE prosecutor with
drew this charge and stated that he was
glad to exonerate Meigs Bland. son of the
Superintendent from such an implication.
Specification Fiftccn--The committee be-
licve that all accounts and expenditures are
conducted with great system and regulari-
", and believe the imputation 10 be entire
| " unfounded and disprovcd.
Sanitary COndition-ln pursuance Oh the
ioint ras0lution, the committee pad par
iiruIor attention TO the sanitary cohultioh
of the hospital. anu made a , Sau ;ia,IorS re-
port They found the De-. Srr;Jnr ~ Snr "a
OF order, and every ward, &, '-N'' ..;a;. Sni
apartment in perfect condition. The 0. -
nal design, however, of the institution, had
been subverted 1t was intended to be a
curative institution, but by overcrOwding
has become mere refuge. for
patients. Instead oil containing but $50
il has now over 600, and. should the in
crease he prOportionatcly large, it will re-
suit in great sickness, suffering and death.
Further, that many helpless and inCura-
+ ble imberiles are confined there, who should
be elsewhere, were there any place to put
them.
THE committee. as the result OF their
lahors report that with the exceptions here
in stated, the management of the hospital
in all its various departments, is highly
Commcndable, and such AZ to inspire the
confidence of the people who are so unfor.
tunatc as to have friends or relatives kept
therein. All OF which is respectfully sub
mitted. y. 3. NAfhETRE.
"IsAGAH BEE,
~. 3. CRUNaINE,
&C f EYANs"