Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-01-04
NAMES INSANE.
Humane Treatment Does What
It Can for Them.
Summer Home for Convalescents
Suggested by Or. Sanbofn.
Separate Building for Criminal Insane Also
Suggested Report.

The reports of the trustees and officers
of the Maine Insane hospital for 1896,
is an interesting document, and con-
tains many suggestions and figures of
lively interest.
The superintendent. DR.. B. T. San
born, makes some recommendations
which he deems advisable for the well
fare of the inmates.
One is for the institution of summer
home for convalescents, to be built by
the seashore. This, he says, will be of
inestimable help to them in the condi-
Mons of their recovery. After having
suffered from insanity the patients
mind is in a weak condition, and the re-
fIeshing salt air and surroundings are
everywhere recognized as of the great
est benefit to used up mind. Their
mental powers have been wrecked by
the nervous strain put upon them, just
as the overworked business man suffers
from the weight under which it has
been oppressed Ample funds have
been devoted for that particular pur-
pose so that it will not be necessary
to embarrass the State, or towns to
which the patients belong.
This matter of assisting in the recu-
peration of the insane, is one that the
superintendent considers of the great
est Importance. They have been trleo
elsewhere with great success.
Another recommendation made by
the superintendent is to build a suit
able building for the criminally insane
to isolate them from what is known a.
the innocently insane, to prevent thu
latter's being influenced for the bad bs /
them. In case of such a buildings be
ing obtained, it would present good op
portunities for closer observation OF
those, who are placed under the IN
spection of the superintendent by th'
courts to determine the condition OF
their minds Other matters are taken
up by him, which will be seen from
matter given below.
The report of the trustees, of which
EX-GOVERNOR ROBBIE is president, con-
tairis in part the following:
The year just passed has been one
of remarkable success in the history OF
the institution. There has been no vlsi-
tation of unexpected disease or calam-
itv: and peace and good will have pre-
sided over the affairs of the hospltai.
THE different administrative depart
ments of the hospital have SHOWN az
interest and execution in the WORK
which has been attended with tne
most favorable results. The NUMBER
of patients under treatment during
the wear. has been quite uniform. we
found the smallest number of patients
in September. SOL; the largest in Novem-
ber. 709: 1872 men and 327 women. All
the departments ETC., have been 1ouhd
in excellent condition, with the best Vi
attention on the part of the several
attendants.
The surroundings of the Hospital
have been improved in many Respects
Several of the wards have been re-
modelled: bathing and sanitary ai
IanEemG0IS
stating and copper work on the centra'
building has been done; and the whar.
has been greatly improved; procurint
much better approach, by the reiho''
al of rocks, etc.
The adoption Of electric lighting ia
been a marked improvement o. ~
year, and the entire INSTITUTION 10
nished with power from the Augusta
Light and Heat Co.
The new piggery was built at an "a
pense Of $4,000. s41O7 of this was paio
from the earnings of the hospital.
An ice house has been nearly com
pleted. at cost of $500, replacing 'ne
old one which was unfit for use.
The regular amusements inclua,ns
excursions by steamboat, walks, riues,
and social entertainments have oone
much to enIiven the existence OF tne
Inmates We have expended from .ns
coburn fund for amusements' e'c.,
sl26S.s1. We are happy to recolu =
generous Gift from the late Ex-'os