Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-01-12

close ll5 There have been treated IN this
institution, since its foundation thirty wears
ago, 6,tn5 patients, of whom 1869 have re-
covered; ,l33 improved; l,545 not improved;
as not Insane. The appropriations made 10y
the last General Assembly have been econom-
lcally and judiciously expended. The new
wing was built under the immediate supcrvis'
ion of the Superintendent of the hospital, and
IL a model of convenience and solidity. The
Trustees and Superintendent make recon
mcndations and earnest pleas for considerable
appropriations FOR needed improvements dur.
ing the current period. The most of these
Improvements are desirable and should be
made as rapidly AS practicable.
HOSPITAL ron rue INSANE At INDEPENDENCE.
During the period an additional cottage has
been completed aud the capacity of the Hos.
pital For the Insane at Independence thereby
increased 50 as 10 accommodate one hundred
additional patients. There were in this in.
stitution for treatment July |, 1888, 69i per
sons. There Were admitted during the per,
iod 6A; lib were discharged cured, Isl i'm
proved, Ill unmprOyed and lag died; leaving
In the hospital June 30 1887, i9l. The of
ficcrs and employees ut the beginning Of the
period numbered 100; at the close 40
The expenditures were S25l ,5i9.6S. The av
crage daily number Of patients was 736. The
annual cost of each was Sl10.S9. This insti
tuition was opened in 1874, with an ayerag,
population that year of rs. There has been
an annual Increase, and in 1887 the average
population was 156 and the whole number OF
patients treated in 1887 was 1869. The ap.
preparations made by the last General AS
scmhly have been well expended The new
cottage, costing $4,000, furnishes cheap and
gnod accommodations, The appropriation of
Sl5,00, to enlarge the rear central building,
was not sufficient, as the Trustees report
to complete the Improvement An all
ditlonal 5000 Is asked by them for this pur-
pose, and should be granted. Water is sup
piled now IN abundi tee and at reasonable
cost, but more cisteInf are still desirable. The
ventilation Of tbs n in building should be
improved aud passenger elevator put in,
There is need ef rlore and for the use OF
the hospital Snd It should be purchased as
soon as the condition of the state treasury
will Justify IL.
There Is much In the reports Of the Super
intendcnts of these hospitals worthy of the
attention OF the legislature aud of the cti.
Zcns generally. The large and increasing
number Of insane persons in the state, may
well awaken public solicitudc as to the caus.
rs of this increase and the best means for
its prevention. | earnestly commend to your
thoughtful consideration all that is said by
these able aud experienced Superintendent
touching the welfare of the unfortunate class
with whom they have to deal, and especially
as to the causes of insanity, the quarantine
against imported cases, and the necessity
for early treatment. July |, 1857 there wer,
,49S patients in the two hospitals for the
insane, of whom BOG were born In Iowa, so
in other states, 6Si in foreign countries, and
unknown. The foreign born population OF
the state Is about seventeen per cent. of the
whole, while the foreign born patients at the
hospitals for the insane are about forty-ive pei
cent. of the whole number.
THE NEW HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE
~ L.. A.
ton of patients. IL consists of: First
Administrators building, containing all the
necessary quarters for the offices, and also
accommodations for 40 patients. Second
one series of six wards with sufficient room
for the accommodation OF 200 patients. II
will require according to the estimate of tn,
Commissioners, Sll,if0 to finish and furnish
these departments ready for occupancy
This appropriation should, | think, be mad,
at once and the work already done utilized
without futher delay. The work thus far ha.
| been well done, but | regret that the Com
missioners have not been able to accomplish
the work according to their estimate presented
to the last General Assembly, and there Ii
consequently delay in opening the hospital
With the completion and occupancy of thu
present portion of the building, the institu
ton should be placed under the control o
Board of Trustees as the other hospitals
are, and the work of construction continued
uhuSi lhNil management.
VISITING COMMITTEE.
The hospitals for the insane are visited once
| month by one or more Of the three members o
the visiting committee. They gOunanuounced
visit all the wards of the hospitals unaccom
panied by officers or employees, listen to al
complaints, investigate al charges of abus,
or wrOng-dong, communicate freely viii
the patients, and are thus able to obtain
very complete and accurate understanding o
thn pntirp MANAGEMENT Of these institutions
The current report Of this committee contains
many matters of interest and suggestions o
value The general conclusion is that thest
hospitals are very carefully and humanel,
managed, and are doing very thorough and IN
every way excellent work.
| INSTITUTION FOR FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN
The popuIatiOn of this institution has increas
ed during the period from 939 AT the beginning, 4
33l at its close, average 2il The trustees not
with pleasure the prosperous condition OF tn
institution and express the hope that its mean
for usefulness may be enlarged. Its facilitie
have been increased during the past two years
but ii has now nearly all the inmates II cal
| comfortably accommodate, while many applica
tons for admission are still pending. Tn
| appropriations of the last Genera Assembl
| have been well expended. The recommends
| tons of the trustees are entitled to mucl
| weight. The central building should be com
| plcted as soon as means can be provided. Tn
| supcrintcEdent Is devoted TO his work an,
makes in his report many valuable suggestions
The progress made III bringing into activity tn
| darkcned faculties of feeble-minded childre
has been very marked, and the work done /
this institution has only to be observed In orde
| to awaken an interest In it and to wish for II
| still further development.
SOLDIERS ORPHANS HOME.
The report of the Soldiers Orphans Hon
| and Home for INDECENT Children shows tina
| since the opening of the institution in lSE
| there have been received ,496 soldiers orphans
| of whom but ~ now remain, Ninety-iive pc
| cent of those who have left are good and usefu
| citizens. Since the home was opened for In
| digent children in 1876, there have been n
ccvcd from forty-cight counties 5i2 children
| of whom psi remain, making the whole humble
| in the home at the close Of the period 2g3. tn
| trustees and superintendent exhibit the need
| of the institution, some of which are quit
| urgent. Since this report was made the HON
has had a sewers loss in the destruction OF tn
| main central building by fire, caused by strok
| of lightning. There was also loss Of supplies
| including provisions, clothing, furniture, etc
amounting to $1,000, as estimated by tn
trustees. An appropriation OF 81, 800 was mad
from the providcntial fund, by the eyecutiy
council, on the nth of November, 1857, and
| temporary building has been put up to meet in
| mediate necessities. The lost building, whic
was insured for $4,000, should be restored a
soon Ms proper funds can be provided. Tn
| temporary building has cost Sj,i36.24, exceed
| ing the appropriation from the providentia
| fund by :!E}6.24 To meet this and also to SUI
| ply the lost provisions, etc, an immediate ~
| propriatiOn OF 81, 5000 should be made by til
| General Assembly. This institution continue
| DO good work, and OF u kind that appeals fore
| bly, to the patriotic and humane sentiments @
the people, and am sure will not be neglccte
| at yOui hands.
|