Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-01-04

ernor Joseph H. Williams of Augusta.
We recommend an action by the
Legislature for the construction of
summer house by the ocean; and the
institution of suitable workshop for
the use of a portion of our insane>
While the insane department at the
State prison at Thomaston in a meas
ure satisfies the demand of the Grim
inal insane for humane treatment. it
has, however, come to our attention that
the courts of the State do not recogs
nize the right to send these men to the
insane department at Thomaston, for
even when charged with
high crime; but send such inmates of
our jails to the Maine Insane hospital.
Dangerous and crafty persons, sus-
pected of crime, have. been lodged in
our State hospital, with the results of
a very objectionable experience. An
adroit and nearly successful attempt
has recently been made to escape by
one of these suspected criminals placed
at our hospital for observation" by
order of the court, which not only en-
dangered the life of himself but THAI
# some of the attendants. We recon-
mend a separate building for these
criminal insane.
After careful deliberation a commit
tee. appointed for the purpose, has de-
cided upon a reduction in the price of
board at the Hospital from $500 to
1915 per week, to go into effect March
l. 1897.
The medical staff, consisting of DR..
Sanborn, and his three assistants; DR..
II. B. Hill, DR.. P. H. S. Vaughan, and
Mrs Dr. Emma V. Baker, have per-
formed their duties in a most COM
nendable manner and deserve much
,redit for their painstaking work.
The report of the superintendent. as
hartman of the committee on amuse-
rents and entertainments, recognizes
he efficient and profitable service
lone bv the orchestra, which has given
oncerts in the summer and played at
he various indoor entertainments, of
nestimable pleasure and comfort to the
inmates. Several entertainments have
been provided during the year. 1t
avs in part:
We are under obligations to Hon. j.
Y. Bradbury for donations of books,
,apers, and periodicals during the
ear: to Hon. Payson Tucker for a
iberal supply of Maine Central r. X.
alendars to distribute in the wards;
nd also to Mrs. Col. Drew, our lady
isitor. for presents to the patients on
everal occasions. The cost of the
/ musements has been s126S.
. The interest on the library fund OF
3225. has been profitably used for the
,aintainance of this department.
The report of the superintendent
avs, in part:
We have reason to feel grateful that
40 unusual casualties have occurred.
The usual number of suicidal patients
rave been admitted, but, due to the
,igilance and watchfulness has pre-
-ented any successful attempts,
During the year. large number OF
,atients have been treated in excess OF
he capacity of the institution. ana
hose conditions must necessarily exist
,nti, provisions are made for the sur
,,,s natients at the new hospital IN
Bangor.
. The number of patients at the hos
,;tal at the close of the year is very
arce. and in excess OF that at any
orrner period. The number OF recoV-
,ries has been less than any preceding
me. vet the number discharged as I'M
proved has been larger
& There has been an increase IN the
number OF deaths, but this is in no de-
irree due to acute sickness, or any SICK
,ess the daily average attendance
!, o,,ior been large. A large number
,ova died. due to withdrawal from
,,.,,,er nervous stimuli, the inevitable
.os,,,t of long continued disease OF the
issues of the brain and spinal column.
rhere were resident at the hospital,
Dec 1. 1895, 7O6 patients, 1913 men ana
900 women. 24O have since been admit
"a 1As men and 81 women; making
,ho,e number under treatment, S46;
GOO men. 424 women. OF these there
have been dlSchdis eu' -
q nd 81 women; leaving at the close OIL
Tho wear. 7O9; 1928 men. 327 women:
E;ftv.one have been supported py
-. own means or relatives; 81 entire-
-. Nv the state: 576 receive State AID
- Fl 20 per week, towns ana lnoiVio-
,,a1s paying the balance.
n.hare has been some carpenteriiis
.,,ar,r done in the various departments
Mo, ,,s,,ch needed improvements, and the
oh p1,, n has also demanded much ~ at It.
p Repairs of other nature have
! The new stable for the cows is very
,,,,a,, eouipped, and is second to none
IN its sanitary conditions, in New H ni5o
land Last August an additlohai s''0
The new piggery has oeen conl nneted
and about 140 hogs are lnei -; ,,arsac,
aho x,aufi1l1tiOD is perfect,