The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-20

Biennial Report Of superintendent
Kirby-1h he Past wo \ ears the most
Prosperous In skse History Of the Asy.
(star Correspoudence.)
Raleigh. n. c.. Decembel

tGIdA
Raleigh. n. c.. December L.
The report OF Superintendent Kirby.
Of the central hospital for the insane
here. II well prepared and interesting.
It says the two years ending November
30th last, were the most prosperous in
the history of the asylum More a
tents were received than ever before In
the same space of time. more discharg-
ed cured and the percentage OF deaths
to number OF persons treated was
lower than Is usual even in hospitals
where all applicants are rejected save
those who do not seem to be entirely
favorable for treatment. Here no pa
tient has been rejected who offered
even the slightest prospect or being
benefited by treatment.
Eleven applicants were rejected be-
cause they were too old and feeble to
be benefited by treatment Three ap-
plicants were not insane. twenty
eight epileptics were rejected. Tners
are now on hand twenty-eight epilep-
tics. This number could not well be
increased without danger to the other
inmates, as insane e%pileptics are well
known tt be the most dangerous and
violent class of cases. What to do with
these cases many of which appeal
powerfully to the sympathy, is a mat
ter the authorities should consider.
They are almost entirely incurable. Il
would be much better for them il they
were treated and cared for separately.
The sight of an epileptic in violent con-
vulsions certainly depresses most ner-
vous patients and some of the latter
are so badly frightened that it requires
several days for them to recover from
the first sight.
Epileptics are much better cared for
and better results obtained. when as
sembled in colonies on a large farm,
with plenty of outdoor employment.
In some cases as many as 1000 are nus
treated on one farm, which was made
nearly self-supporting by their labor.
OF the twenty-seven patients who
died during the past year no less than
six were over 20 years of age. There
were two deaths from accident. One
patient, while out with a walking par
ty, climbed a persimmOn tree near the
main building, got in it's top and when
the attendant started up the tree for
him., sprang out, fracturing his skull
and dying in four hours. Another pa
tient, while walking rapidly out of the
dining room, stumbled and fell, striking
his head against a bench in a hall. This
caused a fracture Of the skull at the
base of the brain and he died in a few
hours.
Many and marked improvements of
the grounds, the roads and the drives
have been made, and also at the ceme-
terry, where marble headstones have
been put up. The new annex for males
has been completely equipped with fur
niture, bedding, ETC., and a 81, 400 heat
ing plant installed. The water supply
has been improved, but the sewerage
from h Agricultural and Mechanical
college has contaminated the old
source of supply, which cannot be used
wen for washing or bathing purposes.
It is proposed to put in deep we'll
pumps, operated by electricity, in three
deep wells which were drilled last yea
This can be lone for $1,000, n will
give sixty gallons a minute, which is
sufficient .
The estimate is hat during the next
two years there will be on an average
425 patients, which, at $40 each, will
require $50, 900 a year, and for various
necessary expenses, $4,000 more, of
which Sc, 549 is for outstanding ac-
counts. The wards were never in bet
ter condition " the patients better
cared for. Many improvements nave
been made in the Die or main build
ing. F. A. OLDS.