The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-01-02
ITS ANNUAL REPORT READY.
THE STATE LUNATIC ASYLUMS
ANNUAL REPORT READY
TO ISSUE.
4 MOST EXCELLENT SHOWING MADE
The Death Rate of Inmates Is Very
Low, Indeed. and the Institution
Has Been Maintained on an
Economical Basis.

Simpson of the State lunatic asylum
were secured yesterday. The report
sets forth the following data of interest
over DIR. Simpsons signature:
II trust that an examination Of this,
the irty-fOurth annual report OF the
State lunatic asylum, in comparison with
former reports and with the work OF
other institutions in this and other
States will show that the public moneys
appropriated for the support Of this in
stitution have produced results compar-
ing favorably with the best asylums in
the country, alike compensatory and just
to that benevolent spirit of the people Of
Texas which has prompted them to found
hospitals for the care of the insane.
'In measuring our work, in comparison
with other institutions. the fact must
not be overlooked that this ayslum was
the first to be established in the State,
and that a large percentage of the in
mates are confirmed or chronic cases of
long standing, who are simply confined
with but little hope of relief by treat
ment, and therefore ii cannot be expect
ed that the number released as cured or
benefited will be as great with us AZ with
younger institutions, or with those where
there IN maintained separate institution
for incura blcs. Our work, however,
compares favorably with other institu-
tons, and | believe comes up to n high
standard of efficiency.
"By reference TO the report it will be
seen that of the SS who have been dis
charged during the year, 70 had been
under treatment less than six months, 54
less than one year. and all but eight had
received treatment less than two years.
This well established fact, recognized by
all persons familiar with mental derange-
ment, though perhaps not appreciated
fully by people generally, would suggest
the necessity of relieving our asylums of
the cases where medical attention is
productive of no good, and thus affOrding
room to the many cases where the disease
has Just developed and there Is hope of
cure. How this shall be accomplished
IL n matter addressed to the wisdom of
the legislature, but that something should
be done on this line is certainly patent
to all who will consider the question for
q moment. Whether 1t is best to require
counties to receive back their own cases
found to be incnrable, and maintain them
In separate county establishments, or
whether it would be wiser to establish
State institution for confirmed cases of
the milder type and utilize the labor of
those able to work, and thus maintain
them Mt much smaller cost than in reg
ular hospitals as we now have, is ques-
ton for the lawmaking department, upon
which | will venture to say that my opln-
ion Is In favor of the latter course
at will be found that the cost of main
tenance for the last year has been
$153.61 per capita, which is So above the
cost of the previous year, difference
readily explained by the fact that the
articles necessary to the support of the
institution have advanced in price during
the year. But by reference to other
years in the list, it will be seen that we
are still below the average of former
years, and in fact only during the two
former years was the cost of the main
tenance anywhere near ms during this
year. In this connection it IL proper to
state that per capita cost of Sl65 per
annum IL considered Il low estimate in
other States where conditions are even
more favorab bile to cheapness of commodi-
ties than with MS. This fact is shown
by reports of other asylums in other
States, and | deem 1t due to those who
have managed the institution in former
years, to say that this is the estimate for
actual maintenance. not counting permn-
nent repairs and improvements, as il
done with us.
az take pleasure in calling attention
to the very low death rate for the year.
Indeed, the small death rate shown since
1874, with the exception Of years when
disease was epidemic in the institution,
shows the hcalthful location, and in addi-
tion the fact that by proper sanitation
and medical attention, the rate of death
among these diseased has been very low.
1t Is worth attention. in connection with
the subject of the incurable first men,
toned. to note that of those who have
died during the year one-third had been
in the asylum over 10 years, and two OF
the 81 had been confined more than 20
years.
"Thc appropriation for repairs. etc,
has been used where necessary in the re-
painting the roofs of all buildings. re-
building and making necdful repairs upon
the fences, identifying the grounds and
keeping the walks and drives in repair.
With the consent of the board of mana
gers we have built two small cottages.
one for the gntekccper ut the old south
gate, which has been opened after being
closed since the former cottage was de-
stroyed and one for the accommodation
of laborers on the farm. We have changed
the system of inspection of meats,
and have adonted the system in vogue ut
other institutions of first inspecting the
animal on foot and recurring il to he
slaughtered on the grounds. To accom-
plish this needful change we had to erect
ut small cost n slaughter house. II is
believed that an inspection of the public
property placed in my charge will show
that everything is in good condition and
that there has been no waste. nor is there
any threatened through inatteution to
any part of the property,
"The results of the outside supervisor,
Mr.. III. w. Walker in charge of the
farm. show that this valuable adjunct.
in addition to furnishing work to patients
able to work. and to whom labor Is more
helpful than medicine. has produced Il
bountiful Yield of commodities. Nothing
conduces TO the proper treatment Of the
insane more than n wholesome dietary.
and nothing so essential as fresh vcCc-
tables. and this we have raised in our
garden and on the farm. largely with
patient labor. and have heen nhle 10 de-
liver free of cost to the Confederate
Home such surplus as could not he used
at the institution.
an this connection I desire to say
that in connection with water
contract made by the board If mnnnr crs
with thc city Of Austin we have secured
the privilege Of irrirnting mart OF the
garden and wo hope nv this rNonns TO
make the garden more successful
"As above stated the board of man
ayers. considering the inSulliciencv Of