The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-11-11

unpleasant place to visit. The perma.
nett loss OF reason is an affection OF sucl
nature that sympathy for the DISTRESSED
person becomes extreme plty,-a state o
feeling almost uncomfortable. That form
OF humanity which incites activity in be-
half OF these unfortunate people Is heroic
ln the highest sense. 1t Is to the credit
OF Wisconsin that its care of its unfortu
mates exceeds that Of any other state in
the union. The county asylums, which
are comparatively new feature in the
care of chronic insane, have proved an
inestimable blessing. Their wisdom wss
doubted at first by many. That is no
longer questioned. When properly man.
aged the insane are much better IN the
county than in the state institutions
! When one contrasts the difference in
the condition OF the insane of this county
when they were treated in the jail for
want OF other Accommodations, and the
present humane methods in vogue in THE
county he can hardly realize the change
| effected IN a comparatively few years.
The asylum was built IL years ago,
and at tie same time small tract of land
was purchased, more for the purpose of
providing means of exercise for the pa
tIents than as a source of revenue for the
institution. But 1t proved beneficial to
the natients and profitable investment
as we'll, and the farm was steadily enlarg
ed by purchase until it now comprises
223 acres OF land almost contiguous, all
under high state OF cultivation and all
yielding good returns TO the institution
This land is valued at S63,282 or this
II acres are a recent purchase. The val
ne of all the proy srty owned by the in
stitutlon is S1l3,422. The net receipts
OF the institution for the year past are
81, l4l.23, showing that 1t is not only
self-sustalning but pays we'll on the in.
vestment. The enlargement OF the farm
from time to time and the additions to
the asylum have been paid for by its
earnings.
Lack OF accommodations IN other coun-
ties suggested that the patients of those
counties be sent to counties which could
properly care for them. The Manltowoc
asylum was among the first built and its
resources we're being constantly taxed
until The limit Was passed. With enlarg.
ed Accommodations it could care for more
patients. A fine large wing was built
this year and while this was In progress
many improvements we're made in the
older building. Since the completion of
these improvements, 80 additional pa
tients from other counties have been re-
celved, making the total number now
cared for here, 155.
The increased room, because of the ad
dition, has made possible an increase of
conveniences, and the increased popula
ton has made imperative additional ia
cilltles. A large we'll lighted and we'll
ventilated hall runs through the new
wing. On the first floor is the office and
reception room where friends of the
patients may see them privately. The
rooms of the superintendent and assist
ants are likewise on this floor. Two very
nice rooms in The main building have
been fitted UP for reading rooms, one for
the males and one for the females. They
are attractive and cosy and are furnished
with books and papers. These poor peo-
pie take more pleasure in reading than
one would suppose without knowledge
of the facts. Lavatories a.e placed where
they are easy OF access and every provi-
sion possible Is made for cleanliness, a
very necessary adjunct to the treatment
of the insane. Indeed the whole place is
kept go scrupulously neat that one Is
unable to understand it until he perceives
the perfect system which directs every
thing.
The fire protection Is az complete as it
is possible to have it. Fire extingulshers
are in various places, and hose connected
with the water works and reeled up, are in
the halls SO thet they can be brought ic-
TO immediate use. A hose cart with sew
eral hundred feet of hose also having
permanent connection with the water
works Is IN little building near the asy-
lum
The institution is regular colony, a
little city in itself with varied industries.
The patients who can work, do SO under
the direction of attendants, and many Of
them with evident pleasure. They give
the visitors a CHEEKY greeting and one
notices but little broodIng, the thing
most desirable to avoid.
A brief, though complete record of each
patient is kept in book provided for this
purpose. This prevents the loss of iden
tity by any individual and enables friends
to trace those who have become entirely
separated from relatives. A record OF
everything produced by the institution
is also kept and the disposition made OF
1t, SO that there is full accounting.
Everything used passes through the
store and ls checked in and checked out
The personal belongings of every patient
has it's appropriate place which bears his
| name and number. The system is com
plete though not intricate. Everything
| is made matter OF record promptly and
fully.
The improvements made the last year
are extensive, but they are needed. The
asylum now ls one OF the most perfect IN
the state. 1t seems to have been the
| purpose OF the trustees to spare no paios
in providing for the comfort of these I'M
fortunate people and they have been en-
| inently successful.
| On Sunday evening lest Ed. Goetzler, a
wedding guest at at Alois Schnorrs, no
ticed man trying to open the door OF
John Schnorr's house. He hailed the
| man and told him fhere WAC No ono IN