Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-10-03
ROWbAND,S REPORT.
A Severe Commentary on DR.. Lanes
Management-Filth Abundant
Fire Facilities.

the followIng:
"Manifestly the chief functions of
an asylum here, as elsewhere, are to
minister faithfully and efficiently TO
tbs wants of its unfortunate in
mates. Heads of departments were
requested to give written statements
over their respective names, em-
bodylng their complaints and sug
gestions. This, for the most part
was done.
"a careful examination was insti-
tuted, resulting in the mature con-
viction that the existing plan did
not provide the necessary and usual
humber of attendants, for the pro-
lection of patients against injury
to themselves or fellows; against the
sleepess tormentings Of bedbugs;
and against the accommodating impu-
rites in.the many cracks and cram
MES unused to routine weekly
inspections, together with the
omission of proper attention to sinks,
water closets, BATH rooms, etc. To
meet what were deemed the urgent
requirements in these respects,
several appointments and transfers
of attendants were made as speedily
as practicable.
at was soon ascertained that all
the wards were utterly destitute of
bath towels and but scantily fur
nished with face towels, the patients
being compelled to dry themselves
on their dirty clothes and sheets.
Since it was manifest that neither
real economy, cleanliness nor health
could he subserved by this omission
of the necessaries of civilized life,
one bath towel was assigned to each
patient, and a few additional oues
issued to supply the frequently re.
curing wants of the sick. An un-
usual amount of clothing has also
been issued, in order to meet an
unusual want.
"Seventy five iron bedsteads have
been placed in the wards for patients
who have heretofore slept on the
floor, thus relieving of much incon'
venience the attendants and rem
dering the patients far more com
Portable and healthful. 1t is believed
Furthermore, that eighty old wooder
bedsteads, irredeemably foul, which
have done service all these long
years, since the asylum's early
eXnerience in Portland, should be
replaced by such as those just men
toned. Considerable bedding has
also been distributed IN the various
wards as needed.
"As further contributive toihealth
where already typhoid fever, erysip
elias, scarlet fever and other minol
ailments prevail, a careful examina
ton of sinks, water closets, and bath
rooms was made. 1t was found tha
the sinks in the wards of the ole
wings were in sadly dilapidateC
condition. In the words of report
They were made of wood, and
through constant use, have become
rotten and in a good many places
you can pick them apart with you
fingers. The plumbing of the batf
tubs in the Old wings is badly IL
need of renewal. (There are twelve
of them.) The safes under the tank
of the building, having been mad'
of tin, are all rusted through, letting
the water down through The ceiling.
Chas. A. Murphy was employed al
plumber to make the necessary re
pairs. In order, however, to com
plete the entire system of repairs
the tanks over the center building
are now In process of construction
"On entering upon my duties here
a month ago, the helpless condition
of these extensive buildings in the
matter of protection against fire was
at once oppressively apparent. Th'
ordinary supply of water from the
Santiam river was totally cut of, by
reason of repairs on the ditch. Oul
engine located at the state prison
was entirely out of repair. Their
were no fire buckets in the engine
room, kitchen, laundry or basement
whose use it is thought, might b'
of vital importance. The steam
whistle-general alarm-required by
the printed rules to be sounded IL
the event of fire, was found to b'
totally out of repair, and utterly
useless. There was no fire hose
never has been, in the laundry, anC
wards l6, IL and Is, leaving thu
. apartments inadequately guarded
against danger. There was not
ladder around the building, to us
in case of fire, to take a hose from
the outside, or to help those on tn
inside. And there was no fire de
partment organized for either praC
, tice or actual service. 1t was ev
, dent that, with our limited suppl
of water, no protracted effort agains
damaging fire could be mair
tanned. A fight with so terrible a
enemy, with such fearful odds in hi
e favor, would necessarily have to b
; prompt and vigorous in order
! have the slightest hope OF bein
, efIective-the work of victory with