The Portland daily press., 1896-01-01
The STATES INSANE.
The Annual Report of the Commission
ISSUED.

Augusta, December 31-The officers of
the Maine Insans Hospital submitted
their annual report to the Governor and
Council today, concerning one Of the
most successful years SINCE this benef-
cent institution was opened
The trustees, Frederick Robbie, R. B.
Shepherd, A. f. Crockett, Judson G.
Clark, Charles S. Pearl and Mrs. Ora
mandal smith organized yesterday with
the reelection of the old officers. In their
annual report they open by saying that
they are grateful that kind Providence
has watched over the affairs of the hospi-
| tai. SO that no contag ious disease or I'M
usual calamity and sickness have disturb
ed the institution. Il is a gratifying fact
to them that the percentages of both re-
lUOYerIsS and improvement of the patients
has exceeded that of previous years and
the mortuarg record is much below the
average. The friends of the patients
have no reason to complain. but that the
preparations for burial seryioes have been
carefully attended to. The number of
patients in the institution exceeds that
of any previous year.
Everything concerning the administa-
tion Ct the institution, that has come I'M
der our observation reflects commenda-
tion on the hospital.l 1t is highly prob
able that In consequence OF new hospi-
| tai at Bangor, the Gro Wded condition of
this institution will be remedied and that
for years TO come there will be no need
Of new buildings of d costly and spacious
character, but tha5 our public treasury
viii only be called upon 30 provide for
repairs and those additional wants which
the advanced porgress of, the ago offers
I Ia. = 80.
| the Unfortunate insane. We feel assured
that the public benevolenee of this state
will hereafter respond to all reasonable
demands OF this institution.
The commissioners have felt the need
OF striCtest economy during the past ear.
They viii follow the suggestion of the
governor ard consider carefully the ques-
zion reducing the price of board
The net profit Of the institution of $780,
432. Sc, against loss of 81, 575. 80 the pre-
vious year is gratifying to the trustees.
| They advocate that the treasurer be CIV
en- a working capital SO that he can pro
duce supplies at the lowest cash prices.
They would recommend that all bills
for board against the State, towns and
individuals be paid every month, instead
Of quarterly, as now, which would give
the treasurer. ready means for cash pay
msnts.
Every effort should be made to keen
up the standard Of the hospital to the
highest plane of perfection and useful
ness, and to this end thy ask for aid and
assistance of public and private beneyo-
lence. The trustees will do all they can
during the coming year, with the rueans
at their command, without any help
from the State, to keep up the dignity
and benign purposes of the institution.
and next year snail ask for such appro-
priations from the Legislature as may
seem just and necessary for repairs and
improvements.
SUPERINTENDENT T. B. SANBORN.
In bis report says it is gratifying to
note that the year has passed without the
Intervention of any epidemics or serious
casualties; indeed, it has been phenom-
email one in the direction of freedom from
sickness and in the mental restoration
of patients. Ninety five have recovered
their reason and been discharged and it
IS pie asure to report that. with but few
exceptions they have thus far continued
we'll and not obliged to be recon-
This figure exceeds by eleven the
! largest number that has been
discharged as cured since the opening
| OF the hospital in 1910 and believ with
tho exception of one, or possibly two
years. our mediacl statistics will show
the largest per cent. of recoveries based
upon the number admitted or the num-
Der under treatment. AS much comfort
has been enjoyed by our inmates as dur
ing any preceding year of the hospitals
operations.
The per cent of recoveries for the past
year, based upon the number under treat
n1ent, was 90, against $40 the proceed
ing year; the rer cent OF recoveries based
upon the number of admissions, 81. O2.
against 30 81 the preceding year.
The exemption from mortality has not
been exceeded, with the exception of
three or four years at the most, since the
institution has had an existence.