Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-01-03
THE INSANE HOSPITAL
Tho Greatest Number Of Patients in The
History Of The Institution.
A Year Marked by Many Important
and Permanent IMPROVEMENTS,


institution. In opening. the trustees say ;
Ever since our Insane Hospital was estab-
lished fifty years ago, our State has stood in
the front rar k to do everything that seemed
necessary for the welfare of the insane.
And today we point with the greatest pride
to the extensive plan of beautifully and ar
ts:ically arranged buildings with every con
yenience for the comfort and happiness OF
the patients.
We have secured many of the improve
ments furnished by the arts and sciences,
which have added much to the curative
power. And possibilities of relief in the
treatment of unfortunate persons affected
with diseased minds. In our hospital is
found nearly every essential modern i'm
provemcnt for the comfort and welfare of
its inmates.
The State should make suitable appro-
p.istion each passing year to keep up to its
proper standard every material department
of the hospital which is subject to the
flaws of decay. We would therefore, ask
the Legislature of our State to examine
every department of the hospital and make
demand We would respectfully call
your attention 10 the following considera-
tons. The reports made a year ago are
full Of statistics and useful information.
Finances.
We have examined the books of the
treasurer and found the same well kept,
and all the expenditures accounted for by
proper vouchers. We regret that i'll health
early in May last compelled John W. Chase
ESQ.,, the competent and efficient Steward
and treasurer of the institution to resign
the positions which he had for many years
so honorably filled and the Board congrat-
ulates the State that the places have
been so well filed by the selection of
the present officer, Manning s. Campbell,
Esq, whose previous faithful work in the
office as Hospital clerk was sufficient guar
antee that he was entitled to the positions
named by promotion. The wants of the
institution have called for more money than
the appropriation and the receipts have been
able to meet. The long continuance of
diphticri4 during the past two years made a
demand upon our treasury, which had TO
be made by prompt and unusual payments
of large sums of money. There were
many expenditures outside of the demands
of the contracts for furnishing the two new
pavilious which could NOT be avoided and
we were forced to provide for the same TO
save the credit and well beiag of the insti
tuition. The trustees considered it in the
line nf true economy to utilize the large
at,ics of the two psvilions and converted
the same into well constructed and usefu!
apartments for the future use of the hos
pitai. Thus materially increasing the value
of tie buildings by small additional out
lay.
This was outside of the established con-
tact for completing the pavilions; bu,
{, nvenient and necessary rooms were fur
nislt thereby, at much less cost than
could have been done at any subsequent
time, A careful examination of the cause
Of these several expenditures amounting to
S647s %. by the appropriate committee of
the Legislature will. we think. justify our
course in their judgment. We ask that
the hospital treasury be duly reimbursed
expenditures.
The diswtated and dangerous condition
of the kitchen called for thorough reno
walton " bich has been finished during the
past year, in complete and workmanlike
manner at the cost of about four thousand
six hundred dollars (Sl GOO.
Laundry.
The large increase OF inmates of the
hospital, made additional expe mixtures
necessary in this department. A drying
room was constructed at cost of Sl23G.-
90 An additional amount Of 5000 has
been expended in improving the Laundry
department. Total amount expended
Sls3s 20.
work Outside Of the New Pavilion.
The furnishing of the new pavilions in
consequence of the imperative demand for
their occupancy, required an immediate
outlay of $1,000. which sum has been
expended under the direction of the trustees.
The erection of the new buildings neeessi-
tated the expenditure of a considerable
amount of money, which was in no way.
part of the contract but which was abso-
lutely necessary for the protection and com.
pletion of the buildings. The changing of
the heating system the grading OF the
grounds. the laying of new pipes,
cement. painting and many other
unforeseen demands necessitated the extra
ordinary outlay Of $4,000. This smount
should be reimbursed to the hospital
treasury.
The trustees report prosperous year for
the farm the yield of hay AMI crop of veg
etables being much larger than has been
harvested in previous years. A small
appropriation 10 asked for the purpose of
increasing the number and grade Of the
cows on the farm. thus furnishing more
milk for home consumption. An appropri
stion il also recommended for building of
a vegetable cellar suitable to the needs OF
the hospital.
The New PasiIions
The two new pavIiions have been com
pieted by the act and direction of the last
Legislature. The amount of one hundred
thousand dollars appropriated for that pur-
pose has been entirely exhausted under the
conditions Of we'll executed and economic
coat-scts. The buildings inside and out
speak for themselves ami the beautifai
material and fne work of construction vii
bear the closest examination
The new wards are already partially occu-
pied by patients taken from the over-crorded
wards of the other wings Of the hospital,
and the time is no. far distant when every
available apartment ~ill be needed by the
coming Of ne~ patients that are constantly
applying for admission. There IL still =
lack of furniture and other necessary
and j; will require at least an
appropriation Of three thousand dollars to
meet the bills necessary for completing and
furnishing the new apartments Of the hos
pital. The trustees recommend aai ask
for this necesssry sum-
Improvemen ts.
His generally understood that there will |
be no more demands male for an enlsrge-
nent Of the hospital accomm stations and /
that its service in that direction il
practically complete. II has nos es-
.aped the notice of the trustees and
the public that much can be done to |
improve he grounds snd give the sar
0Iae hospital az air Of rs6ns-
nsnt. MS-con,fort. In order TO
fleet -.,fhe trustees
I ruA
! -.