The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-11-09
THE INSANE ASYLUM SITUATE ON.
Ex-GOv. Robbie Returns From the
Massachusetts Trip.

Enlarge the Old. IL
Ex-Governor Robbie returned home
Wednesday from his official trip in
Massachusetts, Vermont and Connecti-
cut, with DR.. San born, of the Maine In
sane Asylum, for the purpose of exam
lining other institutions for the insane.
They visited hospitals in Worcester,
where there are two institutions, with
500 and 900 patients, and costing S20O0,-
600; in Danvers, which cost 81, 500, 900.
and has 900 PATIENTS; in Taunton, where
there are 800 patients; the Tewksbury
almshouse, where there are 500 in
sane, and another at South Boston, with
500 insane; in Middletown, Conn.,,
where there are 1900 patients, and Brat
leboro. VT, with 400 patients.
10 PRESS representative, Governor
Robe made the following statement of
the situation in regard to the Maine in
sane Asylum and the purpose of his re-
cent trip with DIR. Sanborn.
The matter of new hospital in Maine
has been the source of much discussion
during the past six years. An effort
was made to secure an appropriation for
a new hospital at Bangor six years ago.
and an appropriation of $4,000 was Sc
cured and farm at Bangor was pur-
chased for that purpose. Four years ago
an effort was made to secure another ap-
preparation, but after considerable dis
cussion no appropriation was made. At
the last session of the legislature, an
other effort was made, and after heated
discussion the matter was postponed I'M
til the coming legislature.
The pu bile mind has been somewhat
divided The eastern part Of the state
has felt that hospital should be estab-
lished at Bangor for the better accom-
mediation of the insane in that section.
The economic side Of Ethe question has
induced many to favor the enlargement
of the present hospital at Augusta, in
order to meet the demand of large sur
plus of insane people in our state not
provided for.
A resolve was passed by the last leg
islature, so that Governor Cleaves con-
sidered 1T his duty to appoint a commits
sion who should look into the demands
of the insane population of the state, for
increased accommodations Ex-Govern-
or Robe, General Shepherd of Skowhe-
ga and Counc illor Stinson of Carmel
were appointed members of this commits
sion, and they, by means of circulars to
the several towns, have endeavored to
ascertain the exact number of insane
and their condition. in reference to ad-
ditional accommodations.
Reports have been received from all
the cities and towns in the state in re-
gard to this matter, which in due time
will be tabulated, and will contain val
liable statistical information.
The committee directed Governor Rob-
lie and DIR. Sanborn to make personal
examination of several of the larger
hos pitfalls in New England, in order to
ascertain everything desirable to know
in reference to the condition and care of
insane patients. and to get such inform
alton as seemed desirable in order to
come to an intelligent conclusion wheth-
er
LARGE OR SMALL HOSPITALS
were most desirable for the cure, COM
fort and well. being of the unfortunate
insane.
In order to obtain such information
they have made quite an extended ex-
animation, and the result will form a
part of the report Of the committee.
The average jud GIN ents of the several
superintendent of the hospitals visited
was strongly in favor of number not
exceeding 600 under one superinten-
dence, as looking to the best interests
of the insane. The only exception to
this rule would be where the incurable
cases of a demented character could be
placed under separate government. The
State of Massachusetts, is said to have
in it's population 5000 insane people,
cared for in hospitals, almshouses .and
private Institute and familiez, and
there is well directed effort for a bet
ter classification bringing into separate
institutions the large body of incurable
and DEM rented patients.
The several hospitals visited by the
committee appear to be under excellent
management, and the superintendent
were very willing to answer all ques-
tions and give all necessary information.
The facts thus elected will form the
basis of future report.
The result of the circulars sent to the
Maine cities and towns shows that there
are about 1900 people in Maine mentally
deranged. In the asylum at Augusta
there are about 700, while only 900 can
be comfortably accommodated.
The result of the visit to Massachu-
setts would apparently be in favor OF
building a. new hospital rather than
making an addition to the old one. Ger
tainIy the advice of the Massachusetts
superintendents was to the effect that
GOO patients were all that any one super
intendent could care for efficiently.
Trial Postponed.
piddeford Noyember S-James Jeffrey