Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-07-13
INSANE PEOPLE.
The Maine Hospital now Crowded in
the Male Wards.
Changes 10 be Made This Season Which Will
improve The Premises.

There are more male patients in the
hospital at the present time, than during
any period in the history of the institution"
said Supt. DIR. b. T. Sanborn to Journal
man, yesterday.
In the male wards are 3s1 and the num-
Der of female patients is 1924, making a
total of 705. In June 30 male patients
came in and nine females. Ordinarily the
number is nearly equal. In May 10 males,
and 10 females, in April Is males and Is
females, March 10 males and seven females.
R,ckland will lead in the number of
patients from any one city. The causes of
insanity are from various avenues. DIR. San
born thinks la grippe has been the cause
of many cases, as it is disease which I'M
dermines the nervous system and leaves the
person in a weak state. This, coupled
with business troubles, family Affections
and divers other things often produces vio-
lent cases Of insanity. He spoke of hav-
ing large number of patients whom la
grippe had left in weak state and the re-
suit was deranged mind. Insanity
is hereditary in many cases. 1t may
be divided into two general classes
mania and melancholy. The condi-
tons of each vary. In the former the
patient is in an exalted state of mind happy,
filed to glee even, with the idea, probably
of making great and paying business in
yestment. Some patients come in enthused
with an idea Of their becoming rich at once.
They talk Of it, think about the matter, and
puzzle over it. Those that may be classed
as mania insane, have some sort of idea
similar to this illustration.
The melancholy are of much more dam
eerous type and the disease is directly OPP
posite as regards the ideas. In this state the
patient feels that the objectionable sin has
been committed and they will die horrible
death.
The world is working against them.
They cannot eat, the throat is closed, swal-
lowing is impossible, they expect to be
hanged, and all sorts Of peculiar ideas. The
doctor gave an illustration. A few days
ago he was called into the country to
see a man who was insane and under care
of two persons. The man had not eaten
any food for several days. He said his
throat was in such condition that he could
not swallow. DR.. Sanborn told him he
must partake of some kind of nourishment
before he left Finally he did, and SO with
these cases, the patient thinks some terrible
allliction is upon them.
In the main, the town offl-
Gals throughout the State are looking
at the matter of insane people differently
than they did few years ago. Outlines
requests are received from relatives of
patients to have them sent home as soon as
possible, while probably relatives of the
same persons say not to do so till they are
in fit condition, and the officials of the
hospital deem it advisable. The town Of
ticers say to keep the patients till as near
cured as possible in every case.
The average age of the patients now in
the institution will be about A..
1t will be seen from this that the major
ity of applicants are past middle age. The
number of female patients has been larg-
er that at present. Since the beginning
of 1894 the number of males has been I'M
usually large. With so large number of
patients the treatment is more difficult as
the wards are little crowded for the males.
few words about the grounds and in
sttution will doubtless be of interest. The
garden is an unusually large one
and many farmer in Maine would
think he had fairly large farm If he
owned the land which the garden occupies.
In company with Snpt. Sanborn the JOUR-
NAL man took a stroll over it. Nearly all
kinds Of vegetables are grown and are now
looking very fine. 1t is proposed to shift
three of the out buildings, two of which
are stables, back to an elevation, so
as to make larger yard and
have them face the main buildings
Another improvement will be made which
will be of great advantage. The road or
main entrance to the hospital will be
changed to cut off corner and shorten the
distance. 1t will run across the field and
strike Hospital street, near the corner of
the Arsenal fence. DR.. Ssnborn is i'm
pressed with the idea of grading on the
south side of the main granite building and
improving the appearance of the lawn.
The flower gardens in the front of the
buildings are looking fine and add
largely to the beauty of the place. Proba-
bly, no elevation in Augusta affords more
attractive view than that from the hospital
grounds.
The farm consists of GOO acres and this
year 400 tons of hay will be cut, work
having begun in procuring it. The e1-
ecutive department has undergone re-
pairs which have not yet been fully
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