Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-27
INSANE HOSPITAL.
Annual Meeting of Hospital
Board of Trustees.
Reports of officials Read and Dis
cussed by Board.
Moro Money Needed at Both the AUGUSTA ard
Ban. or Hospitals.


Hospital met, yesterday, TO finish up
the work of the year. Different re-
ports were read and the hospital in
spected.
The trustees report that material
progress has been made at the hospital
during the past year, the condition
never having been more favorable than
at present. The medical and sanitary
treatment of the patients comes in for
praise. Frequent complaints have
been made but investigation showed
that they came from imaginary causes
as rule.
DR.. Sanborns petition for a removal
ton of the old wings receives the en-
dorsement of the trustees and an early
visit by the joint legislative commit
tee and finance committees. They ask
for an appropriation of $25, 0oO for each
of the years of 1901 and 1902 to carry
out this work.
The work of the committee on rec
reation is commended by the trustees
and state that the work upon the coal
pocket and hoist. which cost for the
two years $4,000, has been with the
least possible expense and in a most
substantial manner.
There has been expended from the
treasury department, according to the
treasurers report: For repairs and
general Improvement, S11 1872 Sc; for cx-
traordinary improvements. $60SS.1 for
coal pocket. outside appropriation by
State, $20SS,29, making a total of 500
6l4.29.
This money has been expended in a
most prudent and economical manner.
The appearance of the hospital in gen
eral has been improved and many
waste places have been put to good use
after being renovated. After the Leg
islature convenes detailed statement
can be made by the trustees showing
the amount of funds required to COM
pletc the plant and make it fit to re-
ceive the insane who may be sent.
Superintendent Sanborns report
states that the State Insane Hospital
has experienced the same excess of pa
tents as in the past. The daily aver
age is shown by the statistics to be
largely in excess of any former period.
Although the institution has been over
crowded it is gratifying to note that
the patients have been properly pro-
rided for and protected without the in
PREVENTION of any serious accidents.
With the exception of one patient who
lost his life by accidental or inten-
tional drowning-whch it not known
nothing has occurred to infiict unusual
distress or inconvience. The patient
referred to had been allowed parole
during the summer months for two
successive years and had never dis
played harmful symptoms either re-
garding himself or others. 1t is prob
able that he lost his balance while
crossing the river on the logs.
At the commencement of the report,
No. 50, 1892 there We're 1il patients,
ZIG being men and 331 women. There
have since been admitted 273, 162 men
and III women. The total number I'M
der treatment during the year has
been 1920. SIS men and 442 women. The
total number of discharges during the
year has been 249, IA being men ana
los women. The total number of re-
covCrics has been 81, n men and 81
women. OF those discharged as much
improved the number has been 20, of
whom u were men and 4 women.
Those discharged as improved number
%, IS men and women. There have
been 90 discharged as unimproVcd, IA
men and IS women. Tho number Of
deaths has been 1o7 &C men and Il NO
men, leaving ut the close of the report,
Nov. 80. 1900, a total Of III persons, =
men and 337 women. The average daily
number for the year has been '6i
against IA the previous year
The patients are supported in the
following manner: Eighty-seVcn arc
chargeablc entirely to the state, 81 are
supported by their own means and
State aid of 81. 40 per week contributes
to the support of CPS, towns and indi-
vidualS paying the balance
In the medical treatment of the pa
ticnts. while a few new remedies ha'"
been introduced yet they have not been
sufficiently teStcd'to enable the report
ing of positive results. Since the intro
duction of static electricity in Septem-
ber treatment has been given to
large number of patients but suliiclene
data has not as We been tabuiatcd III
order to thoroughly Hubstantlatc lts
apparent value but the officials feel
sanguinc that later on they may report
that it is proving itself Il valuable ad-
junct to the thcrapy applied III the
treatment of the patients.
DIR. Sanborn says: L am looking Tor
ward with much interest TO the period
when we shall be sufficiently rciicVch
by trausfercncc to the new hospital 50
that we can allot suitable room Tor tii'
introduction of hydro therapeutic
treatment for our patients. am -
the opinion that as a remedial nlcdS"ic
it would rank high among the various
other therapeutic measures that nave
teen applied. | trust that this fropo-
sition may be duly considered by your
board and that the finance OF the III
stitution will admit the Introduction ol
this valuable auxiliary.
Il believe the time is ripe when SOM
steps should be taken towards eStap-
fishing a pathological laboratory AT ll@
institution. l am aware that TO 1uhs
and properly equip such an apphaice
suitable for cooperative Investigation
would involve expenditure of money
but if initiatory steps be taken 90
start n nucleus for the depafthleii'
during the coming year, | beiieNe ~
IMPORTANCE in the direction of '!iit'hlt"
diagnosis would commend itself TO the
Legislature and that IN the near IL
ture an appropriation could be easily
obtained. Such an adjunct is apso-
Iutely INDISPENSABLE as n supplement u