The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-07
DEFECTS IN QUARTERS
LIKELY TO DANCE TO THEIR
DEATH BY FIRE.
PRESENT WATER SUPPLY IS INADEQUATE
And the Heating Apparatus Cannot be Prop
erly Regulated, Say the Executive
Committee of the i sane Asylum
Located Here.
Located Here,

The executive committee of the State
Hospital for the Insane, located i'll this
city, have been in session here this week
and have drawn up the following an
ndal report to be submitted to the board
Of directors of the institution at their
next meeting:
Respecting the transfer of the dan
gerous insane from the Hospital build
ngs to wing of the State penitentiary
building, we are of the opinion that if
WAS injudiciouS, and trust that ii may
prove but a temporary pleaSure to be
abandoned when the emergency under
which II arose has passed away.
The dimensions Of the wing assigned
TO them are inadequate the arrange
ments inconvenient. the water supply
defective. and the heating apparatus in
capable of adjustment to the mainten-
ance of that uniform temperature so
necessary to the proper care and com-
fort of human beings who are Them
selves incapable of the exercise of iudg-
ment or reason.
The kitchens are on the first floor
surrounded by wooden furniture, floors
and ceiling, while the patients are quart
would speedily reach the ceiling timbers
above, and the floor of the patients
whose natural instinct for destruction
would glory in holocaust of death. It
is a continual menace to the lives of
this afflicted and helpless class. which
we are unable to remove. but has been
in some degree minimized by the con-
struction of n Kirker- Bender fire es-
cape by the Superintendent. under the
authority of your committee Only the
calamity of fire could demonstrates its
usefulness as a life saver with these
irresponsible unfortunates who are as
likely 10 dance to their death by fire as
to seek safety by flight down "A fire es-
cape by night The remedy lies in fire
proof apartments, ON the Hospital
grounds. Thirty-siX patients have been
confined in this department during the
year Of whom % were white, (21 males
and one female the latter of whom was
removed for treatment to the State Hos
pital for economical reasonsl and four
teen IA colored, nine males and five
females. But one death has occurred
among these during the year which was
from chronic mania. The patient was
under the care of the second assistant
physician of the Hospital who faithfully
and skillfully performed the duty assign
ed to him.
I'VE cannot too highly recommend the
substitute Of mechanical for the auto
matte cut-off for all water connections in
closets. tailSS. baths, etc. by which
the expense Of water supply has been
largely reduced.
1.-THE west end annex to the central
building will afford sixteen 30 addi-
tional rooms at Il cost of S4.654. a.
much Of it done by the inmates under the
supervision Of DR. Kirby This occula-
ton has proved decidedly beneficial to
both the mind and body of the patients
engaged upon 1t. and reduced somewhat
the cost Of the building to the State.
"A fine herd Of cattle has afforded an
abundant flow Of pure milk. some fine
butter. and together with the hogs, a
goodly supply of fresh meat. converted
into fresh and corned beef, pork, bacon,
hams. shoulders sausage, and all the
minor forms of animal food. free from
suspicion of faint. noxioars germs or
preservatives. To these and large
well cultivated garden in which are
grown the finest vegetables about the
tive freedom from physical disorders so
common among this class of people,
which this institute has enjoyed dur
ing the past year. TO You. who know
as well, we need add nothing to the
official annual report of the officers of
this noble institution to convince you of
the competence, care, skill and success
with which it has been conducted dur
ing the current year. That work re-
mains undone which ought ITO be done
is undeniable, as it will ever he, so long
as the power in whose hands are the
purse strings Of progress and perform
ance hold to the fatal doctrine that
estimates by competent and experienced
officials of their own creation, are made
to be reduced"
This report is signed by DIR. JAS. Me-
Kee, DR. r. II. Stancil and w. B. Fort,
members of the executive committee.