The record-union., 1896-10-27
STOCKTON INSANE ASYLUM
Biennial Report Of the Board Of
Directors.
1t Costs From Thirty.Five to Thirty
Six Cents Fer Day for
Each Patient.

The biennial report of the Board Of
Directors of the State Insane Asylum
at Stockton is on file in the office of the
State Board of Examiners, and is a full
and exhaustive resume of the workings
OF the institution for the past two
years
1t shows that the amount expended
Tor maintenance during the two years,
including the pay of all officers and en-
ployes, was $9,736 81 less than the ap-
preparation for the support of the
asylum. The per capita cost per diem
for the year ending June 80, 1895, was
SO.4 cents, and for the year ending
June 80, 1896, 35.5 cents.
IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS.
The $4,000 appropriated by the last
Legislature for repairing the old build
Ing of the mems department was found
insufficient, as it was discovered upon
more thorough examination that the
south wing Of the building was far
more decayed and dilapidated .han had
been supposed. It's condition was so
bad that it could not be repaired and
was torn down and replaced by a new
structure. The architecture of the
wing was made to conform to the rest
OF the building.
The wing had been rendered, accord
ing to the report, not only substantial
and serviceable, but the exterior pre-
sents a very handsome appearance,
the outer walls having been painted and
stenciled. 1t will now comforta bly, ac-
commodate 500 patients, and the out
lay is fully justified. The excess over
the appropriation will be paid from the
contingent fund.
Two swimming baths have been con-
structed at the mems department and
one at the women's; all are supplied
with water from the gas wells, which,
being about SO degrees, considerable
saving for heating purposes is made.
GAS ENGINES.
A thirty horsepower gas engine has
been erected in the mems department
by means Of which is furnished the
power to operate the machines in the
general mechanics shop. The plant is
operated by natural gas about seven
months In the year, and shut down
during winter, as the gas Is more val
liable for heating the building than for
running the engine.
In the women's department a similar
engine of twenty horsepower has
been set up, which furnishes the power
to run the laundry machinery and do
the necessary pumping.
FIRE PROTECTION.
The fire protection system is reported
to be in excellent condition in all the
buildings, and the water supply for or
Ginary use has been separated from
that to be used in case of fire. Reels,
with hose, have been placed in each
hall, and the new building in the mems
department has also been supplied with
one on each front landing.
IRRIGATION.
One Of the greatest difficulties here
tofore contended with was an insuffi-
cient supply of water for irrigation
purposes. This has been obviated by
sinking a shaft fourteen feet in diam
eter and twenty-one feet deep along
side of the old artesian we'll in the
northeast corner of the grounds The
shaft was rendered water tight by brick
and cement. The water from the arte-
sian we'll flows into this sump and is
pumped to the surface. The supply is
about 800 gallons a minute. The ben
manifest by the increased acreage in
vegetables and alfalfa
ADDITIONAL LAND.
A block of land adjoining the asylum
grounds on the southeast has been pur-
chased for 81, 900, and paid for out of
the contingent fund.
INVENTORY.
An inventory of the real estate, build
ings, furnishings and improvements of
the asylum has been carefully prepared
and foots up a total of 81 ,096. 100.
APPROPRIATIONS NEEDED.
Besides the usual appropriation for
the general support of the institution,
the report recommends an appropria-
ton Of $4,000 for new gas well.
At the present time there are ,531
patients in the asylum, and the lowest
per capita of cost is reported as 351a
cents. Taking that figure as basis for
calculation the board finds the amount
required for the next two years, for
100 patients, will amount to S401, =
6S2 so.
The asylum is prepared to accommo-
cate LOO patients, and at very light
expense the capacity could be increased
so that 800 might be cared for.
The board commends the admlnistra-
ton of the superintendent, DIR. Asa
Clark, submitting that it has been en-
inently conservative, judicious and
progressive, and while he has practiced
economy, it has not been at the expense
OF the comfort of the patients, snd good
discipline has been maintained with
none of the usual attending friction.