The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-11-30
FROM AUGUSTA.
Thanksgiving Day at Maine Insane
Hospital.
Improvements Made During the
Year, &C,

Correspondence OF the PREss)
AUGUSTA, Nov. 26, 1886.
Whatever is connected with the Asylum
for the Insane is a matter of vital interest to
the people of our State, for out of the homes
Of Maine have come the five hundred inmates
who now crowd the halls of this institution.
Poor creatures; they are with minds more
or less shattered. yet all finding measure Of
comfort, and many realizing that here they
have happy home. 10 outsiders not IA
miliar with the institution this seems
strange, yet one cannot go through the halls
without being made conscious Of the fact
thatinside these walls home has been found
for the poor creatures unable to care for
themselves. For months Thanksgiving day
and the turkey have been the subject dwelt
upon. and in the joys of anticipated good
things pleasure and satisfaction have been
realized. With the exception Of Chris tmas
1t is the day to be looked forward to and
talked about
What though rain and snow fell without,
making everything dreary and uncomforta-
BILE; within were seventy-fye turkeys baking
in the ovens, and the smell of the good things
from the kitchen filled the nostrils Of the
waiting ones as they watched the hours pass.
Could the friends of the patients have been
with them during Thanksgiving day and
evening the dread of the institution would
have been removed.
In the evening the amusement hall was
filled with the inmates and officers, who
spent the hours in marching, dancing and
enjoying the bountiful refreshments proyld-
ed. The pleasures Of the day will long be
remembered and talked about by those
whose lives are full OF strange fancies and
d1s0rdered dreams.
The past two years have been important
ones with this institution. Many radical
changes have been made within and with
out for the comfort and health of all and for
the profit Of the asylum. A few Of these we
notice. Since Dr. Sanborn was elected su-
perintendent he has brought to the work all
his energy and with board of trustees anx-
ious to do everything possible for the good Of
the hospital, necessary reforms are being
made. The steward, alive to the Importance
of the financial success of the farm, has de-
voted himself early and late to improvements
that would receive greater profits. In all
these labors willing hands have added their
part, so that today the asylum ranks well
with other institutions save in one particu-
Lar. which will be noticed later on.
The greenhouses which have been located
just south of the old wards, and obstructed
the view down the river, having been out
grown, have this year been removed, and on
CINE house, new and permanent buildings
have been erected. These are Of brick, the
larger 26x100, and the smaller just back Of
It l0x6O, with connecting petting house
1Ox26. Twenty-Five hundred feet of pipe
supplies the heat and everything Is construct
ed in the most approved and substantial
manner. Mr.. Allen, the. gardener, visited
the Leading growers IN Massacnusctts, ana
adopted such plans as he thought best, thus
securing one Of the best arranged greenhous-
es TO be found in New England.
The water works from the pond and river
have this year been taxed to their fullest ca
pacity to meet the demands of the rapidly in
creasing numbers. A company has been
formed to supply the city, and it was thought
best to secure an unlimited supply at saw
ing to the institution. A contract has been
made for thirty years supply, which will
secure stu greater protection in case Of fire.
The subject Of ventilation where over sew
en- hundred people live under one roof be-
comes a matter of the highest Importance,
and no one matter has here received the at
tention and study that has been given this
subject.
The most approved plans have been thor
oughly investigated, and some Of them test
ed. During the past year large chimneys
have been built to accommodate the pipes
from the bath rooms, and also carry oil all
impure gases. These chimneys 81 feet in di-
ameter inside extend from the basement,
and great improvement is already noticed
in the several halls.
A. new exhaust pump has been put In the
engine room In connection with the heating
apparatus, whereby a large saving Of coal
VIII be made. In ordinary weather 40
pounds OF steam were necessary, but when
we glanced at the gauge 1t indicated only .
pounds and this is the amount necessary to
warm the entire building.
In the laundry and kitchen fans have been
introduced with the very best results. The
stable has been enlarged, giving now a stor-
age room 66x40. Wings built for stalls 24x66,
a a hnr ar.1 hal hoe lar
The piggery has been moved out of the way,
raised and a basement built underneath
This building. 2Sx150 is well stocked with
choice specimens of white chesters, two very
fine boars having Just been received from
one of the leading breeders in Pennsylvania
AT present there are 512 hogs and pigs on
hand. The slaughter house has not been
passed by, but merely raised one story and
put in first class repair.
The new load which is to be built from the
corner of the Arsenal grounds to the west
corner of the old buiiffng will afford not
only saving in distance to town, but also
enable the officers to arrahse their grounds
and better protect the inmates.
All this work has been done the past two
years and only by the most careful manage
ment Of the finances of the institution.
Ihe next move necessary in the minds OF
the NlSltor, is the enlargement of the kitchen
and amusement hall. One is necessary In
order that the work may be properly attend
ed to; the other that the patients may re-
ceive the recreation so necessary to restore
them to health. The value of amusement as
a medicine is more and more recognized, and
to provide this there must be room for the
work TO be carried on successfully. That
these repairs are needed, one cannot fail to
notice as he looks about the place, and sure
ly if any class deserve not only our fullest
sympathy, but also our most generous care,
it is the unfortunate ones that are unable TO
direct their own actions and thoughts.
For this reason every move that has for its
aim the amelioration of their condition
should receive our hearty support and COM
mendation. SETH.