Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-05-09

There have been no cases of diphtheria,
and that dread disease appears TO have
been finally eradicated. This has been a
task Of no little magnitude. The physical
condition of the inmates of such an In
stitution furnishes a most favorable field
for the spread of such diseases, and when
once they secure start they are pecu-
liarly difficult to deal with. When the
diphtheria first made its appearance at
the hospital it almost created panic
among the employees. Many fastened to
give up their positions, and it was diff
cult, indeed impossible in many instances,
to fill their places. The faithful and
efficient superintendent. DR.. b. L. San
born, and the officers Immediately undt r
him, who gave him q most loyal support,
were obliged to labor necessarily, and TO
carry to bed with them every night an
anxiety lest the following morning should
find them without help enough to carry
on the work OF the institution. BY the
most strenuous efforts, however, the eff
cheney Of the hospital was maintained at
its usual high standard. Diphtheritic
patients were given the best of care and
medical attendance and, gradually, the
disease was overcome. 1t is hoped that it
may never again make its appearance at
the hospital. The days Of the stampede
are over, however II dozen cases wore
to appear tomorrow, the visitor would see
nothing to indicate the fact. None Of the
employees would give up their positions,
and the work of the hospital would go on
as quietly and methodically as ever. The
patients would be removed to the santa
rum and given the very best of care I'M
til their recovery. tits quite probable
that they would be given the benefits of
| the aDt-toxine treatment and those who
| had been exposed rendered immune by
| its use. A knowledge of tho self-sacrific-
ing spirit and untirng work of the
officials of the hospital, during tho trying
times of the diphthcritic panic, impressos
the fact that public officials, especially
those connected with an institution of
that is justly due them.
Maine has just reason to feel gratified
at the manner in which its unfortunate
insane are cared for at this noble insttu-
tion. The spirit of tho management has
always been broadly humane and warmly
sympathetic. Patience, kindness and
firmness have been tho three cardinal vir-
tues whose Importance in the practical
work of the hospital has been persistent
ly and earnestly impressed upon every
employo of the institution. To say that
they have always been faithfully observed
would DO to claim too much for human
nature There is d large force of people
employed about the institution, and the
fact that scarcely a month ever passes
without some one being discharged for
neglect or disregard of duty, shows that
they are not by any means infallible. 1t
also shows that the management will not
tolerate any departure from tho strict
lines of duty. If there is any difference
in the character of the help employed in
the Maine insane hospital and similar in
stitutions elsewhere, we are inclined to
think it would he in our favor The en-
ployes of our asylum come largely from
an Intelligent and thrifty farming popu-
lation, and the large number who have
been able to retain their positions for
years is the best possible proof of their
faithfulness and efficiency.
Tho officers of such an institution are
with a class of people who demand unre
hitting care and as II result are peculiarly
liable to malicious attacks and unjust
criticism from those who are always ready
to give credence to the deluisons of in
mates, or those who haye boon discharged,
for cause from its force of employees and
seek to vent their spleen upon the officials
who held them to a strict discharge of
duty, and who would condone no depart
ure from it.
ii must always be borne in mind that
u large proportion of the violently insane
people of the State are confined In this in
stitution. Indeed, mildly insane people
are constantly being sent home in order to
make room for patients whose condition
is such as to make it impossible for them
to be cared for in a private home. These
people have all sorts of dclusions. Many
of them have strong homicidal tenden-
cies, indeed number of them are sent to
the hospital because of attempts at muir.
der. Many have inoendiary tendencies.
and the greatest care must constantly be
exercised to keep from them all chances to
start fires. Many other phases of these
extreme cases of which there are constant
ly very many at the hospital, call for the
most constant and careful oversight, and
are, necessarily, constant source Of care
and anxiety to the officials. TO say that
this class of patients can be dealt with