The Portland daily press., 1898-01-03
THE INSANE HOSPITAL.
The Annual Report of the Trustees Makes
Good Showing.


The Insane hospital in their annual
report, say:
The official administration OF the affairs
Of the hospital during the past year has
received the usual attention from the
members of the board of trustees. and
our monthly and quarterly meetings are
duly recorded, and set forth. that we have
endeavored thoroughly and faithfully to
discharge the various duties which have
been incumbent upon us to perform.
There has been desire to keep up the
good character OF the hospital by several
judicious improvements. At the same
time, we have felt the necessity of exer-
cising the greatest economy in the expen-
ditures for outside work, in consequence
of the lack OF means occasioned by the
reduction Of the price of board and the
increased price of many of the articles Of
food. We are, however, able to say that
there has been no change in the quality
or character of the subsistence depart
lnent. and we are able to report that the
patients are well fed and clothed and have
had an abundance Of material comforts,
which render hospital life more easy to
bear.
The dilapitated condition, as the result
Of constant wear, of several of the por-
lions of the inside of the hospital has been
restored to q normal and respectable ap-
pearance, and there has been expended
outside Of the hospital buildings, on the
walks and grounds, q sufficient amount
of our earnings to make the necessary
repairs of this important factor of hos
pital property. In extraordinary repairs
and improvements there has been expend-
ed $500; but there is need of still furth-
er expenditure of money and labor in
this direction to meet the requirements
of well cared for hospital, which in
due time should be made.
The demands of strict economy have in
fuenced our deliberations, and we have
endeavored to meet all the requirements
and expenses Of the institution within
reasonable bounds The salaries of the
officers of the institution, and all those
who have heretofore received wages for
their labor, have been satisfied and paid
for at the lowest practical rates; and
there has only been an increase in the
number of attendants and additional ex-
pense therefor when the safety and com :
fort OF the patients demanded it.
The purchase of all the materials used
in the hospital by the steward and trea-
surer, has been under the inspection of
a committee of the board of trustees and
~. H.
price.
We should be grateful for the watchful
care of kind Providence, which has
guarded and protected the institution
during the past year. Ne epidemic, or
unexpected casualty. has disturbed the
peace or happiness of the inmates, SO that
In this respect the past year has bean one
of prosperity and usefulness over several
of our past records.
The superintendent Of the hospital and
ri of his medics1 associates. also the 9th
err officers and attendants Of the institu-
ton, have been loyal to the requirements
OF their several responsible engagements,
SO that there has been no occasion for ma
terial complaint, but we ara gratifed to
listen from all sources TO a general ex-
preston OF satisfaction.
More patients than ever before have en-
ioyed the benefits of the hospital, reach
ing at one time the population of 737.
The superintendent has wisely exer-
cised his usual foresight in relieving the
hospital from its burdensome condition
by sending to their homes as speedily as
possible all cured cases Of previous in
sanity, and others that appeared harmless
and could be well cared for elsewhere,
in order that the vacant apartments could
be occupied and used for the more urgent
and dangerous applicants.
FINANCE.
An abstract from the treasurer's report
shows the receipts and disbursements for
the year as follows:
Balance cash on hand December
1. 1896, s 1890 rs
Receipts for year, hospital ac-
count, 173, 455 "a
Received on account appropria-
ton from State of Maine for
boiler house, coal pocket and
steam chimney, $1,000
1892, TIC. 80
Or,