Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-27

OF those admittes 81 were between 10 and
80 years of age, 4%between 80 and 40, As be-
tween 40 and 80, % between so and go, "a
between so and 20, IL between 20 and 80.
Admissions relative to social condition
Marred-msles, AZ, females, As; unmarried
males, 81, females, "a; widows, IL I;
widowers, II; unknown, 2.
The longest time of treatment of any one
patient discharged cured was not exceeding
Ave years.
The assigned causes of insanity are as fol-
lows: Abortion, |, spoplexy, 2; critical
period of life, IL disappointed ambition, l !;
domestic affection, g.; disappointed afec-
tons, 3; dissolute life, L; erysipelas, /
epilepsy, 10; fright, / ; general paralysis, 8 (;
ill health. "a; incompetence, 10; injury Of
head, 6; injury of spine, 2; loss Of property,
4; loss of relatives, 4 lactation, 2; mastur-
tAtion, 8; measles, 2; over exertion, 2;
opium habit, 3; puberty, 81 puperal, 4; par
uxlism, Ii senility, IL; seduction, l ; typhoid
fever, /; uterine diseases; unknown. 46;
violent cold, l.
One hundred and ffty-eight of those ad-
mitted during the year were on their first
admission, ~ on their second, on their
third, 6 on their fourth, on their fifth, on
the ninth and on the twelfth. One has been
admitted twice in the year.
The following was the condition of those
discharged: Recovered. 59-27 men and SO
women improved, 3l--20 men and | women !;
unimproved, l6-9 men and women. OF
the SO discharged recovered, 44-2l men and
% women-were on their first admission; 6
3 men and 3 women, second; 2 women,
third; l woman, fourth; 2-l man and
womsn-fifth; woman, sixth; 2--l man and
woman-ninth; and man, twelfth.
The mortusry record has been unusually
large, being thirteen in excess of last year.
The same obscure epidemic influence that
operated so intensely upon the lives of the
inmates during the winter and spring of 1888,
has prevailed. A portion of the past year the
disease attacked very generally those patients
who had passed the meridian of life whose
physical powers were waning. The greatest
mortality was in January. February and
March, IA patients dying during each Of these
months.
The daily average number of patients for
the year has been asa. Forty-three have
been supported by their own means or rela-
tives, 62 entirely by the State, and 355 have
received State aid of Sl.50 per week, towns
or individuals paying the rest
The medical treatment of the patients has
varied but little from that of preceding years.
| believe that the moral treatment of the in
sane is very important, and recognize the
absolute necessity of placing such institutions
under the best possible sanitary conditions.
We have endeavored to direct our attention,
especially during the past six months, to the
ventilation and drainage of the Easements on
both sides of the house, but more particular
ly those beneath the hall wards Additional
windows have been placed in the basement
of the two extreme wings, not only for the
better ventilation of the easements but to
furnish an extra supply of fresh air to the
hot air chambers. The same renovation is
being carried forward in the easements of
the various wings for females. Many ordins-
~ repairs and improvements have been made
The pump house by the river has been COM
pleted and admirably meets the purpose in
tended
REPORT OF BUILDING COMMITTEE.
The last legislature appropriated the sum
of $4,000 for finishing the new female pavil-
ion, including the furnishing of heating ap-
parstus, plumbing, elevators and grading of
the grounds The total amount expended in
this direction is Sl2.722, a sum greater than
the appropriation, but il was rendered abso-
lutely necessary TO make the building inhab-
itsble. The same legislature appropriated
900 for the construction of a new male
pavilion, including the furnishing of heating
apparatus, plumbing, elevators, etc Under
the resolve the trustees have erected by con-
tract new pavilion for males and corri-
dor and trapway connecting the two
buildings win each other and with
the main buildings. The total cost of build
ing and furnishing was $40, 72l.3l. IL will
require, to properly furnish and provide this
building with an elevator, and complete the
grading, some 80 900. Contracts have been
made for the furniture, elevator, grading,
etc 1t will be seen that the legislature is call
ed upon for an appropriation of s22, 900 to
complete this building. and to pay for expens-
es already incurred and money borrowed. The
State has now all the buildings it will need for
the care of its insane for the next eight or ten
years, unless the rate of insanity shall in
crease more than hundred fold.
FINANCIAL.