The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-02-04

WSTo In the presence oil 0U or 0U men.
Some gazed at the newcomers with in-
terest, others were possessed OF vacant
stare, while still others seem to take no
interest whatever in the new arrivals.
The dinner hour had just passed and
the regular exercise time had arrived.
A large number we're slowly walking
down the wide corridor pushing what is
termed rubber. This device is similar
to mop in construction, but is covered
with a piece of blanket and weighs
about so pounds. and is used to polish
the oak floor as we'll as exercise the
patients. The superintendent is a strong
believer in cleanliness, as the condition
of the rooms, halls and closets will tes-
tify. The floor is oiled to keep disease
germs from congregating and the polish
ing renders it like a mirror.
The plain walls, the iron bedsteads
and benches, and clean linen for the
beds, are nestness personifed. Nothing
that could bs used as weapon is
allowed to remain loose. Even the towel
rollers are locked, and every precau-
tionary method taken to avert accidents.
The windows are covered on the interior
with strong iron mesh. to prevent the
patients from breaking the glass and
escaping.
At each end OF the hallway large
circular tower is located, in which are a
number of windows, through which the
bright sunshine pourB.
Two large sleeping apartments or DOR
mitories on either side of the hall are
filed with single beds. Next comes the
single rooms, where the more dangerous
patients are retired. At the east end of
the ward two more large bedrooms are
to be found, in which 20 single beds are
placed. A clothing room is attached to
each ward. Attendants mingle with the
patients, and are always on the lookout
to supply their wants, or for trouble
should any occur, thing that rarely
happene.
The patients that are sent out walk
ing with attendants always remove
their shoes on returning to the ward
and put on their slippers, thus keeping
the halls and rooms clean and neat.
The precautionary methods adopted
are many, and an accident is almost
impossible. In the bath rooms the hot
water is locked, while the cold water is
secured from regulation faucet. The
attendants medical case is under lock
and key. At the end OF each ward a
large hose is reeed ready for use in case
of fire. The pressure is so pounds, as
the water comes from large reservoir
on the hill to the north OF the building.
The attaches are all drilled in the tao
tics of fighting fire. and hose cart is
ready for action in the engine house.
Finishing the fret ward we ascended
to the second story, where the more
violent patients are kept.
The halls are filled with the same
class OF patients, but many of the single
rooms are occupied by the more danger
GUS class OF patients, while others lay
in bed, entirely oblivious to their sur
roundings.
The most noticeable feature of this in
stitution compared with others that the
writer has visited ia the almost total abb
sence OF anything that would suggest me-
chanIcal restraint. Protection is afforded
to the more violent patients by the pro-
lection sheet, which is a comfortable
garment made OF canvas, and was fret
used on the Pacific coaat by this institu-
ton. The ends meet both length and
side-wise, under the cot, and are fastened
together. The patient is kept in bed
in an easy and partially free position.
These sheets are removed every three
hours to rest the person confined.
Low cots are provided for patients who
are subject to epileptic fits, 30 they are
not injured by rolling out OF bed. The
hospital ward during the day is under
the chargeo of an experienced corps of at
| tendants. The wants of all are well
looked after. A night nurse is on watch
in the hospital each night, while the
mems wards are additionally looked
after by night Waterman. The wom-
ems ward is supplied with female
night watch, who looks alter the wants
of the sick. ws ~,..,
An electrical clock and patent register
ia connected with each ward by wires.
The inside night watch and outside
night watch's whereabouts are recorded
every 10 inmates by their using keys.
Should they fail to register they are re-
quested to make q statement as to why
they failed to report. The head attend.
ant Of each ward has book, in which
he records the condition of the sick
patients, the number of hours they
sleep, the quantity and name of food
taken during the night, medicine ad-
ministered, and complete report OF
everything that trsnHpires each night.
This ia sent to the superintendent
room each morning, and he can readily
see the condition of the patients.
On arrival at the asylum the pat emit
is put to bed at once, after taking O
bath. If he is an inebriate he is put on
liquid diet, as meat has a tendency to
stimulate the desire for drink. The
state furnishes all the necessities and
many Injuries, if the patient has nc
means. Ii the unfortunate's financial
condition is euch that he can afford to
pay for the services, rate of $45 per
quarter is charged. All new arrivals are
also given medical treatment as soon as
they reach the asylum.
The crowded condition of the inetitu-
ton will soon be relieved, as work on
the east wing will be commenced next
week and rapidly pushed till completed.
The contract says the building must be
finished in six months from the time
work is begun. Last Friday Mr.. John
7. Riley of the firm of Riley & Sloane OF
San Francisco, who have been awarded
the contract for doing the brick, stone
and iron work and grading. informed the
HERALD correspondent that it was his
intention to give the laborers OF this
county the work instead of shipping
workmen in from other sections. He
brought an experienced brick burner
and foreman with him from the city.
He said that the only money taken
from the county would be the profit
from constructing the building.
The new wing will be about 275 feet
long and so feet wide at the main part,