Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-01-02
Local Matters.
WANTS MORE ROOM.
Dr.. Sanborn Says that the Insane
Hospital Is Crowded.
R,coma ends Renovation Of Two Old WARDS
Statistics Of the Institution.

the Governor and Council, Saturday,
and it is of special interest in view Of
the stubborn fight to be made, this
in the Legislature for the new
hospital in Bangor.
DR.. b. T. Sanborn, superintendent of
the hospital, says that during the fis-
cal year ending Nov. 80, a larger num-
Der of patients have been domlciled
than in any preceding year, notwith-
standing the fact that no additional
room has been provided for patients
since 1890. Since it was opened the IN
stitution has had under its care more
than 5000 patients, and has discharged
as recovered and restored to home and
life of usefulness more than 5000 of
this number. Nearly as large num-
ber of patients have been discharged
as improved or much improved as of
those that are classed as recovered.
Dr. Sanborn regards this as of much
importance. Just here is where all IN
institution of this character has within
Its grasp the power to accomplish very
much good but which has not been ful-
ly recognized. 1t means much TO d
person TO be able to recover his rea-
son so far as to enjoy home surround
ings and to become SO far mentally
restored that he is empowered IN a
large degree to take up again the bur-
dens of life formerly laid down.
The number of patients is in excess
of 20 over that of last years report.
The admissions this year have been Il
less than the preceding. The superin-
tendents thinks this may be accounted
for by the fact that it is generally
known through the State that the In
stitution is maintaining large num-
ber of patients in excess of its capac-
ity; and that not few patients have
been taken to Institutions In other
states for treatment or kept at home.
A still further cause which has re-
suited in a minimum degree of admlS-
siOns is that the management OF aims
houses in. some of the larger munich
paIities, have for the past few years
been arranging to provide for a por-
ton of their chronic insane in such IN
stitutions. The ratio of recoverles
compared to the number of admissions
varies but little from former years.
The mortuary record has been very
low.
The institution has been gradually
increasing it's night supervision. so that
at present nearly one-half of the wards
are closely observed both by day and
by night. Nineteen persons are look
ing after the wants of the patients
during the night and, in addition, pro-
vision is made for night diet for the.
sick. No accidents of sufficient i'm
portance to be mentioned have occur
red during the past year. DR.. San
born observes that the modernized
heating system of the institution main
tains uniformity of temperature dur
ing the entire "a hours. j
OF the patients under Ftreatp1ent 81
are maintained entirely by the State;
So entirely by their own means, q of
that number being in private rooms,
the balance being in the public wards;
and 59S receive State aid, towns and in
dividuals providing for the balance.
The activities of the mechanical de-
partments have been Unprecedented.
Work has been prosecuted on the heat
ing apparatus in the department for
distribution of warm and cold water,
in the painters department and ma
sons department. The work in the
heating department, comprising the
engine and boiler house, which are
new, have been extensive. Excellent
results are expected in the direction
of economy OF fuel and already there
is marked decrease in the consump-
ton of coal. A very convenient car
penter's shop of commodious dimen-
sionS has been constructed. The sec
ond story of this building has been fit
ted up in dormitories and will accom-
modate 10 or Il workmen.
The operations on the farm ana gar
den have been quite successful and the
yield of products of the farm have not
been surpassed by any previous year.
The yield of hay was 430 tons of most
excellent quality. The value of these
auxiHaries to the institution cannot be
.Overrated, by the reason of the oppor
tunities to extend healthful exercise TO
SO many patients. Good results have
been obtained from the herd OF cows,
which number SO in milk, and there will
be an addition of IS in the coming win
ter There is upon the farm a herd of
150, 12S of which are composed of cows
and heifers. Much better results are
shown in the increase of milk since the
erection OF the new stable. The num-
ber of swine has been increased to 20.
DR.. Sanborn presents a chapter on the
condition of >the criminal insane He
notes that the prison has become SO over
crowded that 1t Will be necessary to oc-
cupy that portion devoted TO the insane,
by the convicts. He favors building
for them in connection with a State In
stitution for the insane. particularly as
the courts often find it necessary to place
under the care and supervision of the
management Of the insane, persons for
observation a. 10 their mental condition.
He thinksI That the time Is ripe when
the attention Of the Legislature should be
called to the necessity of placing the old
wards Of the institution In more i'm
proved and modern condition. The two
first wings radiating from the center
building have become very dilapliated
and require thorough repairing The two
wings adjacent TO those on either side
have become exceedingly worn and re-
quire very extensive repairs. He favors
the renovation of one wing at a time and
would have heating fiues OF brick con-
structed for each individual room. and
fireproof material to be used in the build
ing of the floors. He says that ne shall
present forthwith estimates Of the cost
of reconstructtng the two wings first
mentioned with fireproof material, and
also the estimated cost OF non-ireproof
material.
a.. L. t.