The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-02-04
THE SAN BERNARDiNO ASYLUM.
A Fine Institution for the Care
of the Insane.
4 Large Addition to Be Made to Its
Accommodations.
What - "Herald" Correspondent Noted
During n Recent Visit to This
Well Managed In
stItutton.


sral weeks delay work will commence
On the wing of the asylum for inebriates
md insane, located sc Highlands, San
Bernardino county, some time next
week. The plans for this addition are
completed and the contractors Riley &
Loane of San Francisco, are on the
grounds and say they will put the men
with teams at work excavating for the
basement at once.
This county has been fortunate in
securing the state asylum. The money
spent for construction has been OF
material help to the lsboring classes,
and the building is only in its infancy.
Two more wings are to be built this
year il possible.
The building in it's present unfinished
condition is one which the people OF
Southern California can point to with
pride. At present about 200 inmates
dnd shelter and receive the best OF
medical care and treatment at the hands
Of the superintendent and assistants.
who have had number of years ex-
perience in the hospital and asylum
work. Every employee seems to be the
right person in the right place. Not
even the smallest detail is neglected,
and all the wants of the inmates are
supplied.
cial act of the legislature. which also
made an appropriation for its con-
struction. The northern asylums had
become over-crowded. The expense of
conveying patients to them from this
part OF the state was large, and the only
remedy lay in the construction OF an in
stitution of O like nature in the southern
part OF the state.
A number of localities bid for the
building, but the site near Highlands
was selected by the board. 1t could not
be improved upon. The ground on
which the building is situated grad
ually slopes away toward the south,
east and west. The elevation gives q
splendid view of the valley to the south
and west and is almost perfect from
q hygienic standpoint. The entire tract
is 800 acres of land especially adapted to
citrus fruits, and has been cleared and is
now under cultivation. Ten acres is in
citrus fruit, while about 30 acres will be
set to various kinds of other fruits.
Alfalfa has been sown and vegetables
will be raised in the future to supply
the wants of the patients. The major
portion of this work was performed by
convalescent patients.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
The building is constructed of brick
and stone, and is three stories and q
basement underneath. When the build
ing is completed it will be nothing more
or less than large cross. Just at pres
ent it Is overcrowded, and the compile
ton OF the two remaining wings will be
hailed with pleasure. The administra-
ton wing, which will be the southern
part of the cross, ia badly needed, as the
officers quarters and suparintendent's
rooms necessarily take up part OF the
building which should be used by the
patients.
The engine rooms, laundry and other
buildings are situated to the rear OF the
main edifce, and all are built OF brick,
thus making them almost freproof
The interior OF the main institution is
finished throughout in a substantial
manner. The oak floor is kept as smooth
as glass, and will almost reflect ones
image. The walls are plastered and
unornamented in the several wards. Ali
Of the wards are the same, and the fur
niture consists OF beds made of gas pipe,
with spring mattresses, and long benches
which cannot be used as weapons. The
beds are supplied with a pair of sheets
and warm blankets.
From the rate the building is filling
up some portions OF the basement will
be fitted up in store and dining rooms
A track on which the car runs, to the
various elevators to supply the dining
rooms in the second and third stories, is
laid in the center of the basement hall,
and is quite handy. Food is also placed
on this car for the closer confined pa.
TENTS and sent up the elevators to the
several wards.
VENTILATION AND HEATERS.
This institution is supplied by one Of
the finest systema of heating and venti-
lating apparatus that modern invention
can devise. Extending the full length
of the building sectional watts are ar
ranged. A tier of large galvanized pipes
traverses the entire length of the watts.
In summer these watts are filled with
water, thus cooling the air in the pipes.
In winter the vets are empty. A large
fan, run by electricity or water power,
forces hot air to every room in the build
ing during the cold months. When the
hot season comes the watts are filled with
water and cold air distributed through
out the structure, thus keeping the tenn
perature the same in all seasone. The
warm air is heated by coil at the engine
house.
The sewerage system is what is known
as the "aewer farm" The sewage runs
through settling basins, which will hold
the refuse for q month. The water ia
drained, after which the sediment ia
shoveled out and used as fertilizer.
One cesspool is used each month, while
the other is being disinfected.
VISIT TO THE PATIENTS.
To one who has never visited an asy-
lum many strange proceedings will at
pnce come to the eye. The visitor is
met on all sides by locked doors as soon
40 he reaches the patients quarters,
and attendants are noticed mingling
with the poor unfortunates.
The visitor will notice with pleasure
and satisfaction the readiness with
which the patients acquieHce in the
request of the attendants, and the gentle
manner in which the discipline is en-
forced, harsh words or blows being abso-
lutely forbidden.
A stroll through the wards is very in
!eresting, even if you are among what
10 usually termed silly people. The
building at present is divided into three
dormitories. The two lower are filled
by man Whila tha unner one ia in