The Portland daily press., 1892-01-01
STATES IINFORTUNATES.
The Report Of the Trustees Of The
Insane Hospital.
EVIDENCES THAT INSANITY Is IN.
CREASING IN MAINE.

4uOrS uNAoAes NOW AhaH III u ofIneF heArs
-An Glasses Represented in the Lists
of the Unfortunate-The Affairs of the
Asylum In Coed Condition The Need
of Renovation in the Older Buildings
Especial to the Press.l
AUGUSTA, December 31.-The trustees
of the insane hospital presented their re-
port to the Governor and Council today
The report was writted by ex-Gov. Robie
The document treats in an exhaustive
way OF the affairs of the institution anG
makes many valuable suggestions. The
report commcnds the work of the medi
cal department under the charge Of
Superintendent Sanborn, and the as
sistant physicians, Emma Virginia Baker
M. D., an accomplished and efficient
female physician has been added to the
medical staff since the last report.
Reference is made to the change OF
contract with the Augusta Lumber Com
pany for heating the hospital buildings.
The new contract together with the
hospital plant, ensures satisfactory re-
suit at an expense which will compare
favorably with former years.
The report says that the conduct of the
financial department. reflects great credit
on Treasurer Campbell. The expendi-
lures for the year were $751;, 387.21, leav-
ing a balance on hand of 50, 125.15.
On other matters, the report says:
''The net profits of the several earning
departments of the hospital have been
exceedingly satisfactory. The farm and
garden have earned during the year 3d.
1921, and the profits from board OF
patients and other sources have been
81, 561.50. The total net profits were
$14,913.01. This amount increases the
surplus of the capital stock of the
hospital, so much needed for it's good
financial operation. The surplus
earnings heretofore have been expended
in necessary improvements Of the
hospital, and may be needed again fol
the same purpose.
ssThe trustees have endeavored to an
swer all of the legal requirements of the
state, in the discharge of their official
duties and have visited the hospital at
stated intervals and examined carefully
all of its departments. The comfortable
and neat appearance of all the several
wards of the hospital and the personnel
of the inmates are worthy of commenda-
ton. But, it has not escaped our no.
tice, that the comparative merits and
comforts OF the rooms and halls of the
new buildings should stimulate the de-
sire to mako every effort to bring about a
practical improvement in those wards,
which show the delapidation of age and
use. Suitable appropriations should
be made and expended in this
direction wherever needed and demand
ed.
s'The able report of the superintend-
ent sets forth in detail many interesting
and valuable statistics, to which we call
your attention. The number of patients
under treatment during the year is found
to be ST.; of this number, 1913 patients have
recovered or been otherwise dischargen,
and 70 have died. The percentage of re-
coveries compares favorably with previ-
Gus years, and the number of deaths is
below the average of former years.
There has been prominent and cont n
ual increase of patients. The popula-
ton of the State of Maine fifty years
ago was POS, 269, and we had in the In
sane Hospital at that time 65 patients.
The population in 1891 is 661 ,0S6, and we
have 673 patients. Either insanity is on
the increase, or the benefits of the hos
pital life for the insane are better appre-
ciated. We presume that both
considerations have something to do
with the apparent increase
of the proportion of the insane. We
have this fact before us, that the number
of patients in the hospital for the year
ending Nov. 80, 1891, was AZ more than
was accounted for at the same time in
the previous year. and 90 more than was
on the hospital rolls at the same time
two years ago. This yearly continual
increase Of the insane carries with it
cause for reflection, and is the occasion
of grave responsibilities. We certainly
must provide in season, and well, for the
fast increasing multitude of the insane.
1t would seem that out door exercise is
not altogether sure preventative for in
sanity, for the tabulation shows that of
the l46 male patients admitted during
the year, the occupation of So patients
was farming, and % were laborers.
Nearly every vocation has its representa-
tives, none are exempt. The interests
of the institution are of a public charac-
ter, and should therefore be literally
sustained at public expense"