Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-12-20
MAINE INSANE HOSPITAL.
What The 0alcsrs Of that Institution
Say

Khst the 0fncsrs Of that Institution
Say
In their Annual Reports.
Excellent Work Achieved In the Mids
OF Discouragements.
In their annual reports, Of which We Civ,
belo = An abstract, the trustees Of the In
sane Hospital say that although the genera
health of the inmates during the year closed
has been fair, the hospital has been visited
by an epidemic of diphtheris, q disease
much dreaded in private practice, but which
occurring in an institution crowded 10 it,
utmost limit, and among class of patient,
ph, sically elueed TO such a degree ~ te
render them exceedingly susceptible to ii,
influence, requires constant and unusual
watchfalness, and great promptnsss and I, iii.
/ VI ut
together by telegram on the lIth of July, to
provide for the emergency. The infected
patients were immediately isolated, a system
of disinfecuon established, and such quaran-
tine regulations instituted as were eonsid-
cred proper and necessary. The counsel
and advice of the local and State boards of
health were eagerly sought, and promptly
acted upon, and everything done TO stay thus
dreaded disease. The diphtheria was
brought to the hospital by an attendant. Out
of the large family of 100 less than five per
cent have been affected. One of the phys
| clans on the board of trustees, DIR. Dear
born, was present during the entire period to
render aid and counsel. Much extra labor
has been necessary, and the destruction of
co siderable clothing, etc, resulted, aud the
ordinary labor in and about the buildings
as well AS upon the farm, has been greatly
delayed. The aggregate of actual expense
reaches the sum of over $500. Much cred
it is due the medical staff at the hospital for
their unwesried efforts, constant watch. ul-
ness, and prompt and efficient action.
| The financial department of tbe institution
is admirably managed by the Treasurer,
John W. Chase, Esq, and he is de.er,ing,
aud has, the confidence and esteem of the
Trustees. The usual visits have been ma lie
has been made relative to the cond.t ton OF
patients and sauilation at the institution
The interest of the farm, stock and property
OF the Hospital have been regarded and in
all respects the comnendst On and approval
of the Trustees have been commanded by
the resul 8 of their Investigations
The wards of the Hospital are in good
condition, as the resui. of marked improve
ment in ventilation. The sewerage is no,
faulty, and 1t is safe to say that not one
twentieth of the htoitable d~elings of the
STATE are IN rs good sanitsry condition as
the oldest wards of the Hospital
rhe ield of the farm mas been, on an
averagr, equal To that OF former years. Tnr
hay crop Was about nifty tous less than that
OF last year, there beIng about 200 tons Sc
cured IN good conlltIoI. lhe yteii Of
pJtaiOes has been very much larger than Tor
several seasons, a1d they are ali exc, lleut
~ qualy. There are now upon the iarm
cJ",, | bu.l, oxen, l4J swIde, . team
4 driving, and 2 coach hors,s. A larger
number OF c,~s should be kept MIR. Cony
III manages The farm with great satistac-
ton. The garden contains atout IL acres,
and is not only seli-sustalning. bat a profit
able adj INST Mr.. Nm. &. Allen. who has
charge OF this department, is enutled to
great credit Tor the skull displayed.
Co SAT- improvements and repairs on the
lulidlngs are necessary aud unayol, xDle
each year. The Legislature apprupr tied
go 90 tor an additional bulldog, S2I 900
ot winch Appropriation has not been drawn
upon, or has the work been commenced, as
the Trustees deemed the appropriation in
suiiici Mt to accomplish the work " hich the
Resolve called tor The legislature will be
oollged To make All appropriation of 5000
to enlarge the present hospital, or To erect
new one at cost of from hve to ten times
that amount. with the additional expense OF
second board of otii GERS. The trustees are
of the opinion that the present board of 0tt-
GERS Win the addition of an assistant when
needed, is capable of caring for, in mo-i
efficient and satisfactory manner, several
hundred more patients. IL is recommended
that he salary of the superinten ent be in
creased from $1,000 to 5000 per annum.
Results have shown that the appointment
of a female physician was a wise measure.
and the trustees are of the opinion that there
should be female pnyslcian on the staff of
every well regulated hospital for the care of
tne insane, where women are treated. Tne
trustees record their appreciation Of the
faithful and efficient services of the superin-
ntendent and all the officers, seconded by
the ready and cheerful cooperation Of the
supervisors and attendants. The dlphtheria
attacked several of their number, and in the
cases of Miss Angie jackson aud Norman
sanford the result was fatal. Amid ali the
excitement and distressing scenes these
faithful public servants have lovingly and
watchfully discharged their Arduous tasks
undaunted in the face of danger. In con
cluding their report the trustees recommend
the appointment of q commission Of luuacy
and charity (or especially assign their duty
to the bureau Of industrial and labor siatis-
ucs) empowering the person in charge to
AisIt all the cities and towns IN the State, in
vestigaie relative to all these eleemosy naries,
and make detsi ed report annually to the
Governor and Council of the results of Ais
efforts, observations and Suggestions.
The supernts ndent, DIR. b. T. Sanborn,
states in bis report that the Hospital has been
in operation As years, and at no period Ia its
existence have there been 80 many sdms-
sions as during the past u ar, The discharg
es have also been larger, with the single eI-
cepton OF ls723 3. At the beginning Of the
year December !, 1881, there were resident
IN the Hospital 5j2 patlents-2s5 men aud
267 women; 25O have been admitted since
l52 men and % women leaving at the close
OF the year 57s-2J9 men and 27g women
The daily average number OF patients for the
year has been 65073. They have been sup
ported IN the folioVing manner 81 by their
osn means or relatives; 56 entirely by the
state and i52 have received State aid of
81 80 per week, towns or individuals pal ing
The balance.
The mortuary record has been somewhat
lar ger than the preoedlng year, the percent
age OF deaths based upon the number under
treatmeat being 10 against 7.l5 last year.
During he last year 81 nave been admitted
betseen the ages of 80 and co; 20 between
80 and 20; ~ between 10 aud 60 and who
haze passed beyond four score years. In
nine cases deaih resu ted from dement's or
oil age. and IN sew nteen cases of death
from terminal demehts the patients had
passed seventy years. IL is agaiHstihe Judy
me ut oi the sue 10 tu1ent to seed agea
people to he hospital, Even shen there i,
but ilttit dsteriOraGo1 OF the mental fAcal-
tIe., aged people are mai, ~ sensitive d
mIsera1le when perm.neat sepafauou from
home is necessitatsd.
IL. teadesey ~ homieidsl and suici lal
impulse, .pp' ar TO be IHeTea-ing There
have been l0i pstien a limited during tn
tsst year alleged to be .udenng from either
honi cidai or sulcii iai chsfaet.ristics, 5s Of
/ the former, sad 4s Of tBs latter. Ole Acci-
dent has occurred, occz.ioSed by su sss4uI
from one patient upon another, resulting Ia
death No one has committed snicide.
u phth-r appeared about the miadle OF
IuiH nrgua ut IN me HusultxI hv an tant.ut