The Portland daily press., 1884-01-03
INSANE HOSPITAL.
Annna, Roper, of the visiting oonr'i''ss.

The visitors to the Insane HospitalS "a. their
report to the Governor and Council, say tns
general health of the patients is good. Dur
Jog last winter and spring an epidemic re-
sembling dropsy In some OF its symptoms at
tackled many OF the male patients, and q mum
ber who had long been inmates and were
broken in constitution, yielded to the disease.
From this cause the death rate has been larger
than reported for some years.
The visitors have made frequent visits to the
hospital when they were not expected, and
thew are convineed 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 pa
tents, the Maine hospital stands in the front
rank.
The letter boxes have been productive OF
good, as some of the letters In them have led
to the detection Of wrong treatment and neg
lect, aud to the discharge of the offenders.
Another mark of progress is found in the in
creased attention given to the employment
system, which is a valuable therapeutic agent,
and 10 the future the visitors hope that work
shops and other industries will be provided as
in solne other hospitals.
Several important improvements nave oeen
made at the hospital since the last report. III
will be of special interest to the puolc to learn
that the trustees have adopted measures to
preclude the contingency OF any failure In the
water supply of the future. Pipes have been
laid from the river to the engine house, and
the reservoir 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 tre. There
is an efficient fire organization, OF which the
treasurer is 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 pavilion erected last year, for convalescent
and private female patlenta This building Is
now completed. The visits OF the board have
shown the necessity aud wisdom OF its erec-
ton. 1t relieves the crowded condition OF
the main structure, is cosy and homellke In It's
arrangements and surroundings, and in every
respect answ ers the purpose fer which 1t was
designed An appropriation was also made, at
the same time for a similar pavilion for the
use of male patients. This new building is
walled and rooted and work upon 1t is pro-
crossing as speedily as possible. 1t is to be re-
gretted that an appropriation was not made
sufficient to finish the building, and render II
ready for occupancy.
The male department are even more crowd
ed than the female, and yet this pavilion must
await completion for lack OF funds, unless the
trustees shall see fit to take the responsibility
OF perfectiug it and of asking the next legisia-
ture TO appropriate for the de fciency, stei
which shey would perhaps shrink frop taxing
but which the people Of the 0aIs % "oulu it'G aGup
less sanction II they were lnliy acquAinU9u
with the facts.
AS in former reports, the visitors urgently
advise that Grim nails now in the hospital may
be placed in q ward apart from other inmates
as is tho custom in other instii utions. Whils
from humane considera ions they are entitled
to the care aud attendance of those who M.
derstand mental diseases, the visitors insist
that they should be separated from patients
who not only possess gooI character, but ar Q
entirely distinct Ia eduestion and habits.