Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-07-16
VERY IMPRESSIVE
Continued from page ~

| English speaking people. the neceSsi..
for special provision for the insane ha
been considered; law was passed II
the English Parliament several centu
ries ago that persons bereft OF theil
| reason should be regarded as wards o
! the state, but it was left to the philah'
thropsts of the 18th century to estab'
lish especial and distinct hospitals fol
| the care of this unfortunate class Of
our fellow citizens
| The superstition of the age, the out
| growth of standardization and semi
| harbarism. looked upon the madman
with suspicion and distrust, to be
Stunned as hghwayman, rather
| than to be provided for as one suffer
| ing from the inirmity of mental ana
physical malady. 1t was left to the
great Pinel to institute reforms ana
naugurate steps for the classification
and isolation of this special class.
Since that time rapid strides have
been made in providing better methods
and dcvisinS more practical and sclefl-
tific agencies, lin initiating and CON
structing properly devised institutions
and placing the insane in the category
of that class requiring scientific ana
medical treatment. In America we are
under profound obligations to the re-
nowncd Benjamin Franklin, who sue
cceded in obtaining the passage of q
bill by the Pennsylvania Provisional
Assembly incorporating the contribu-
tors to the Pennsylvania hospital, and
appropriating Coco toward the cree
ton ana furniture of a building. such
grant being possible when like
amount had been subscribed by indi-
VidualS for permanent fund
In this movement Franklin was as
sisted by the distinguished philanthro-
pist. Or Bond of Philadelphia. The
charter thus obtained was entitled.
An act to encourage the establish
ment of hospital for the relief of the
sick poor in the province of Pennsyl-
vania ana for the reception ana care
of lunatics.' The procedure. while
falling short of the system which is in
auguratcd, today, yet marked IA new
era in the history of America in the
direction of providing hospitals for the
care of the sick
1t was. however the beginning of
brighter days, and rapid strides have
been made in the invention OF new
agencies, in the construction OF we'll
appointed and equipped institutions
devoted exclusively to the care of per-
SONS suffering from mental maIadies,
until at the present time there is no
divided interest, general hospitals have
been constructed to eliminate all ex-
Cept the insane. and the skill aud care
of competent medical stats are devoted
entirely to the care and treatment Of
the latter class.
1T is needless To say that the agencies
which have been nut forth for the
proper maintenance for the insane is
the outgroWth of Christianity and be-
tokens higher civilization. 1t is worthy
of note that there is not a hospital for
the insane in British India until oc-
cupied by the British, and wherever
the light of Christianity is reflected
We observe enlightened and humane
efforts put forth for the amelioration
OF those bereft of their reason, and the
construction of hospitals for the care
of the sick.
Permit me- gentlemen of the COM
mission, as one taking cognizance of
the arduous duties you have under
taken, to aid the State in making more
ample provision for our dependent
class to congratulate upon the aus
pieces Of the occasion. in the selection
of the proper site, in the conception
and and maturing of practical and
well adapted plans which will enhance
comfort and make possible recovery.
III the construction of buildings which
are calculated for the entire protec-
ton of patients from the risks of fire
in the studous and careful considera-
tion of its sanitary surroundings. and
in the contemplation and inception of
the Wisest and most approved ventila-
ton.
The construction of d hospital for
the insane calls for the more care from
the fact that we are building a home
for those who have no voice in its in
augul alton. Build carefully and wisely,
and / am sure that the light of reason
dawning upon the bewildered mind
will. as future days come and go rise
up and call you blessed"
! predict that the future institution
Will reflect credit, not only upon its
lnitiatorsi but upon the act of wise
legislation as wen, and its call for sup
port will he responded to by the gem
crosity of the State. for such loyal ac-
tin is typical only of progressive
type of civilization, which is measured
and reached by Il public policy which
inaugurates institutions properly and
scientifically equipped for the best pos
aible care and treatment of the sick
and unfortunate
! have the honor to remain.
Your obcdient servant,
BigeloW r. Sanborn.
The following articles were placed in
the receptacle under the corner stone:
/. Resolve in favor of the Estern
Maine Insane HospitL (Approved Feb.
II 1S95)
,. Register of executive department
of State of Maine for 1896.
;, Notice of special communication
of the Masonic Grand Lodge, Wednes-
day. July i. 1896
4. Programme of laying corner
stone.
Especial in Vitation to ceremonies.
s. Cards of Hon. Albion Little. chair
man, and of Hon. Samuel y. Campbell
and Hon. Sidney n Bird. commissions
ers, and of ID. X. Jewell the commits
sioners' secretary; cards Of John Cal
vim Stevens, the architect. and of Philip