The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-01-03
The STATES uNFoRTuNATEs.
Reports of the Trustees and Super
intendent of the lasane Asylum.

intendent of the lasane Asylum.
Especial to the Press.l
AUGUSTA, January 3.-The annual report
of the State Insane Hospital for 1890 has
been placed In the hands of the printer. and
makes very favorable showing for the
years work at that institution. In opening,
the trustees say: "Ever since our insane
hospital was established, so years ago. our
state has stood In the front rank to do every
thing that seemed necessary the welfare
of the insane. And today we point with
the greatest pride to the extensive plan OF
beautifully and artistically arranged build
ings, with every convenience for the comfort
and happiness OF the patients
The report details the many improvements
made in the buildings, and refers to the large
expenditure made necessary by these and
the outbreak of diphtheria.
1t Is generally understood that there VIII
be no more demands made for an enlarge
ment of the hospital accommodations and
that its service in that direction is practical
ly complete. The trustees call attention to
the fact that the large yearly increase OF
patients at the hospital Justly entities the
superintendent and members of the medical
staff to an increase of salary. The present
remuneration Is much below that paid at
similar institutions in other states.
The disbursements for extraordinary i'm
pTOVom6uL5 nave Dt6H DOUsSOA.Oos
The trustees think that the hospital with
its available assets and earnings can pay
$1,000 of this suD, provided the legislature
will appropriate $4,000 to liquidate the bal
ance.
The trustees ask for an appropriation of
$13,836 20 for further improvements to
buildings and grounds.
SuperintUncent's Report.
Superintendent Sanborn reports an exceed
ingly busy year, which has been very free
from casualties. A good state of health
has prevailed throughout the entire institu-
tion during the twelve months.
At the beginning of the year., December
1st, 1889, there were resident in the hospital
$50 patients, 295 men and 285 women. Two
hundred and fifty-tnree have been admitted
since, 146 men and 107 women, making the
whole number under treatment S33-44l men
and 1872 women.
The per cent. of recoveries for the year.
based upon the number under treatment, is
7.80, aud upon che number OF admissions % SO.
The daily average number of patients for the
year has been 612 Is, against 57S.76, the daily
average of the preceding twelve months.
The increase of patients during the period
embraced in this report has bsen very marx
ed. probably exceeding that Of any former
period of the same duration, having under
treatment an excess of forty seven patients
over the number at the beginning of the fiscal
year. La grippe has entered quite largely into
the assigned cause of insanity, eleven
patients having been admitted where the de-
rangement of mind was directly attributable
TO the disease, and score at least in which
the malady could be traced as one Of the ex-
citing causes. The mental characteristics
observed have almost invariably been those
of melancholy type marked by apprehen-
sve and oppressive delusions.