Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-03

Ane vuuiuk COmmluee 70 the Insane
Hospital herewith submit the tenth annual
report, for the year ending December LIST,
1888.
The essential features of the system in u,e
during the service of DR.. Harlow, have been
retained.
Under the new administration of Dr. Big
slsw T. Sanborn, new rules and regulations
have been adopted and measures of q progress
sive aim introduced which, we believe, will
accomplish excellent results. DR.. Sanborn
brought to the discharge of his duties an ex.
perience OF seventeen years ~ assistant
superintendent in this institution, and his
selection BY the trustees was = most for
tunate one. DIR. H. B. Hill, promoted to the
position of assistant superintendent. per-
forms the duties of his Office with skill and
fidelity. DR.. o. C. s. Davies. now assistant
physician, also merits commendation for his
faithful services.
No superintendent, or corps of officers can
give personal attention to all the minutia
Of an institution, in which not onlv
the government of q number of people, al
most - large - that found in an average
town requires attention, but provision for the
physical and mental needs of each is demand
ed. Attendants have been detected land few
escape detecti0n) in neglecting or abusing
those whom they have in charge. In such
tendent, like his predecessor, ever ready to
investigate the most trivial charge and to
promptly dismiss any attendant convicted of
an adequate offence. 1t affords us pleasur,
to be able to report that we believe that the
attendants now employed are humane men
and women, who are kind to the patients and
have their restoration to health in view
The general health of the patients 10 at
present good. During last winter and spring
an epidemic, resembling dropsy in some of
its symptoms, attacked many of the male
patients, and a number who had long been
inmates and we're broken in constitution
yielded to the disease. From this cause the
death rate has been larger than reported for
many years.
In accordance with the statute defining our
duties, the committee have visited the hospital
at irregular periods and when not expected.
At all hours of the day and night we have
passed through the wards. Constant inspec-
ton forces the conviction that, while other
asylums may be superior in elegance of
adornment and may possess more modern
facilities, in all that relates to the comfort
and welfare Of the patients, the Maine hos
pital stands in the front rank.
We find the letter boxes conducive to
good. While many of the letters deposited
in them contain but the expression of i'm
aginary griefs and wrongs, we have found
others which have led to the detection of
neglect and wrong treatment and. consequent
", to the discharge of the offender.
The location of the hospital is admirably
adapted to its purpose, and the beautiful sur
roundings are not the least of the advantages
afforded by this retreat. During the past
summer more convalescent patients than in
any previous season have enjoyed daily walks
in the shade of the grand old trees, partici.
pated in the outdoor games prepared for
them, or wandered at will among the flowers.
The green houses. which give to the in
mates fresh flowers through the winter, are
one of the greatest sources of pleasure. The
gardener, Mr.. William Allen, who thorough
ly understands his work. sends his well ar
ranged bouquets into the halls nearly every
day to crafty and cheer the unfortunate in
mates. Few Conservatives in the State can
boast greater floral beauty and profusion.
During the winter months two entertain
meuts each week are given for the patients
benefit. A large proportion are ever ready
to attend, and those who do not participate
appear for the time to forget their imaginary
griefs and delusions as fully a. those who are
actually engaged.
Another mark of progress 10 found in the
increased attention given to the employment
system, which 10 a valuable therapeutic agent.
We trust this subject will in the future so i'm
press the public that work shops and other
industries will be provided as in some other
hospitals.
1t will be of special interest to the public
to learn that the trustees have adopted meas
ures to preclude the contingency of any fail
ure in the water supply in the future. Pipes
have been laid from the river to the engine
house, and the reservoirs can now be pumped
full at any time. With an inexhaustible
supply of water thus secured it can hardly
be possible that any great danger can be
caused by fire. There is an efficient IRE or
ganizstion, of which the treasurer 10 chief.
and hose ready for use may constantly be
found in basement. hall, and attic.
The legislature, at its last session, granted
an appropriation sufficient to furnish the pa
vilion erected last year for convalescent and
private female patients. This building Is
now completed. 1t was commenced year
ago last summer, and was constructed from
funds that had accrued in the treasury of the
hospital. The total cost of the building has
been about 1900. and it will prove an
important factor in the treatment of
patients, on account of the better
classification that can be made. Only the
best patients (that is, those who have so far
recovered as to require very little restraint
will be assigned to rooms in the vavilion, and
the restraint practiced will be hardly more
than any family has to endure. Eacn MOOR
has rooms for Is patients, with parlor or
day room where the patients can mingie to-
gether or receive company. dining room,
bath room and water closets. The rooms are
arrayed on either side of hail. IA feet wide,
extending the length of the building, inter-
sscted midway by hall IL feet wide. ternin-
ating in large bay windows. The four rooms
at the corners of the two halls are arranged
in suites so that if patient should be visited
by friend, or need a special attendant, the
matter can be arranged without Inconvenience.
The building itself is l2Ox454 feet, two
stories, with mansard roof, with bay windows
81 feet in depth on each floor at the end OF
the Halls. It's location 10 So feet in the rear
of the chapel and midway the northeast wing.
and a. one approaches the pile of buildings
BY the driveway, the effect is superior to that
of the old hospital, and when the lawn has
been fixed up next season there will be few
pleassnter or more attractive places in the
State.
An appropriation was also made. at the
same time, for q similar pavilion for the use
of male patients. This new building 10 wall
ed and rooted and work upon it is progress