The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-04-07
STATE HOSPITAL REPORT.

Twenty-three Years since the Opening of
the Morris Plains Institution.
The fact that the late Legislature APP
propriated $14S, 800 to the use of the
State Hospital at Morris Plains lends ad-
ditional interest to the twenty-third an
nual report of the Board of Managers.
There has been no change 10 the person
mel of the board. The managers register
a gentle kick against piecemeal appro-
priations in these words I'VE have
been seriously Handicapped and put to
additional cost during the progress OF
this work completion OF the central por-
ton and north wing of the new buildlng),
which might have been avoided II the
building could have been completed un-
der one appropriation.
There is no immediate relief in pros
pect for the female department, the nor
nal capacity of which is 400. About 800
patients are now quartered in this de
partment. The south wing of the new
building, when completed, will relieve
the congestion here.
The entire number of patients has in
creased rs since October 81 1897. CThe
report closed October 81, 1899. The hos
pital, built to accommodate 800 patients,
now Sept. 30, 1889 cares for 253, or
453 more than originally intended. Of
this number Il 1859 96 are epileptics,
who will be removed to the Village for
Epileptics" in due time
There are 10 terminal and convict"
insane at the hospital The managers
deplore the presence of this most danger
GUS element in the institution. and agree
with Medical Director Evans that ''there
is but one solution of this perplexing prob.
lem, and that is to be found in placing
all the convict and criminal insane in a
building set apart especially for them. Z"
The training school for nurses is highly
commented.
Since the opening on August II, 1876,
the hospital has discharged 1,107 patients
as restored, 945 ais improved, and 421 as
unimproved.
Itappears that the managers havesuper-
vision of asylums in Essex, Hudson and
Passaic counties.
The medical directors report is almost
wholly statistical. Patients were sent
from II counties. Monmouth and Sus-
sex sent each, Union AZ. and Morris
36. Thirteen States and IL foreign coun-
tries are represented in the hospital.
Seven patients are over so years of age.
Thirty nine are classed as housewives. !"
49 mo occupation" 20 as laborers and 81
as clerks. The legal profession is rep
resented by l patient, and one is classed
as clergyman, which would indicate
thing or two to the thoughtful Doctors
are represented by 0. 1t any insurance
agents or drummers are here they are not
known as such. Editors reporters and
printers are incognito. Overwork sent
to the hospital, heredity A, disappointed
affections 8, and worry 49, Sixty -four
patients were discharged as recovered.
No visitors are now admitted on Sun
day. Regular visiting days are Monday,
Wednesday and Friday of each week,
from to 5 p m. Visits from curiosity
seekers are discouraged, and excursion
parties will not be admitted to the wards.
The pathological report is mainly
technical, and justice cannot be done it
at this time.
Seventy-three daily and weekly papers
are sent regularly, without cost, to the
hospital, in addition to other literature.
The sum of $311 900 70 was disbursed
in support of the hospital for the year.
A balance of 8,434.23 remained in the
treasury on November 1, 1898.
Warden M. K. Everitt's report shows
that the hospital isin good working order
throughout. The farm lands returned
good results for the labor on them. In
the dairy nearly 252, 900 quarts of milk
were produced-a daily average of II 80
quarts from each COW MIXED Nearly
700 quarts daily are consumed in the hos
pital-an allowance of about one pint to
each person. The garden is in high
state of productiveness. About 1900
bushels of tomatoes were grown, and
1000 bushels of potatoes.
The institution, in all departments, ap-
pears to be veritable bee hive of indus
try, and the States money is being put
to the best possible use.