The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-10

and the discipline of the institution APP
pears to us to be perfect.
I'VE wish to call the attention of your
honorable body to the necessary change
in the water supply, as the superintendent
has already had three deep wells drilled
averaging 1870 feet, which would give MS
the proper pumping facilities, about sixty
gallons of water per minute. We would
advise that the suggestion Of the engineer
in regard to the deep well pumps, to en-
able us to use water from these wells
to be run by electricity. receive due con-
sideration. Nothing is more conductive
to the comfort and success of hospital
than a plentiful supply of good and pure
water. and VIC entirely concur with the
superintendent in saying that we are not
willing for our patients even to battle
in water contaminated with hillside wash
ingS from slaughter pens and objections
from hospitals. and rs the water supply
of Rocky Branch is getting year by year
to be more and more contaminated and
unfit for use in bathing and drinking
purposes, we think the sooner the change
is made the better and more satisfac-
tory it will be for the institution. We
earnestly enjoin upon your honorable
body the necessity of having the system
of plumbing in the old part of the build
ing overhauled and changed to cores
pond with the automatic system employ
cd in the annexcs. The system in the
old building being periodic is both unsani-
tary and wasteful of water, it is estimat-
cd that the water saved by this change
will pay the cost in two years.
1--WE also recommend to your honorable
body n uniform class of furniture, nota-
bly, the bedstcads should be the regula-
ton hospital bedsteads and the superin-
tendent be instructed to dispose of the
old ones. The system of purchasing
supplies by competitive bids which, after
a trial of Il year. has proven so satisfac-
tory and economical, we recommend
be continued. AT recent meeting of
the board of directors. at the suggestion
of the executive committee, your order
prohibiting the officers of this institu-
ton from raising poultry was rescinded,
and we expect n considerable reduction
in expenses by saving of the amount
Of poultry and eggs purchased. We arc
pleased to be able to say that putting the
female patients in the lower ward of
tho male annex, as authorized ~ your
last meeting. on the recommendation of
the Superintendent. has been success
fully accomplished and is now working
very nicely.
I'VE wish to call the attention Of your
honorable body to the urgent needs Of
this institution TO have more land in
order to give the patients proper exer-
else and employment. We have now. in
Guiding the grove, the cultivated land
and wood land. ia acres. 1t is esti-
mated, in order to receive the best re-
ell sA..4s
least one acre of land to every patient
We hope in some way this matter will
be brought to the attention Of the Lecis-
lature and the purchase of more land
in the interest of the Institution be urged
upon them. The superintendent thinks
with 200 acres more of land contiguous
TO our farm a very material reduction
in the per capita expenses of the insti-
tuition might be made.
I'VE notice that this institution as Il
hospital is daily growing in favor and
reputation. We hope with liberal APP
preparation from our next Legislature we
will be able TO put it on Il first class
footing as a hospital for the treatment
of mental and nervous diseases, second
to none in the country. Most excellent
work has been done at the institution, as
is shown by the report Of the superintend-
ent in the number admitted and the
number discharged and confirms our opin-
ion often expressed that the manage
ment does not ,countenance drones. In
an institution where every one is an i'm
telligent worker and all energies directed
to building up the institution and making
it useful to the people of the State we
may continue to expect most excellent
results