The Portland daily press., 1900-01-02
INSANE HOSPITAL.
Annual Report Of the
Trustees.
Institution Is Reported To Be In
Good Condition.
But Is Full To Over
flowing.
Expenditures Increased BY Rise
In Provisions.
rSPxcrAL TO THE PREss.J

csPxcIAL TO THE PRKssJ
Augusta, January LIN their report
to the Governor the Trustees Of the In
sane Hospital Of whom ext overnor
kobie Il president say in part:
Every proper effort has been made BY
the superintendent and the trustees to
lesssp the number of inmates Of the
hospital BY sending back to their homes
the harmless and those who appear to be
cured. The inmates have always exoeeded
largely the number for whom ths accom-
modations of the hospital were intended.
and at our monthly visit In July we
found TEA patients, more than were ever
before domiciled In the institution. The
capacity Of the hospital, as at present
constructed, was intended to be 5S3 beds;
the number of patients now there ie-
quires 560, thus calling for III extra cots
and mattresses.
BOARD OF PATIENTS.
In the early part of the year several
complaints were made BY the patients
that the food supplied them was not OF
suitable character and variety. The
matter seemed to be Of sufficient import
snoe to merit an Investigation; and 40
oordingly on January 2Sth, 1899, the
Board of Trustees appointed committee
from their number. with Instructions to
make thorough and careful examination
of the culinary department. and every
thing connected with II. The committee
personally inspected the methods of cook
ing the food and conveying IL to the din
ing room Of the patients, and carefully
tested Its character and variety for
mum Der of days. II was deemed advisa-
BILE 10 make several changes In the
Kitchen, and while the general manage
msnt Of the commissary department was
found to be oommendable, and the quail
ity Of board proportional to the price
paid. yet 1t was considered best to In
crease the amount paid for food by about
$500 per month. The results of this ex-
animation and report were satisfactory,
and We have not since heard of any com
plainta
RELIGIOUS EXERCISES.
The Sunday chapel exercises have bsen
somewhat changed during thu year. The
clsrgy men of the several denominations
in Augusta have In turn had charge of
the spiritual instruction of the insane.
This arrangement gives the inmates an
opportunity to listen to several speakers
OF different religious faiths. The change
appears To have afforded good satisfaction,
and the sermons from the pulpit and the
music from the choir have combined to
make the services of great value.
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
Thsrs has been but one change in the
medical staff of the hospital during th q
year. Doctor Byron NJ. Mcke,n having
finished the term for which he was en-
gagged, has Voluntarily left the institution
TO enter upon ths general practice Of his
profession. His services were highly
appreciated by all who came In contact
with him, and he has left behind him u
reputation for thorough and efficient
work. DoOtor II. l.. Horsner. NJ. D., OF
Princeton, has been elected to take his
place. He comes highly recommended.
and undoubtedly will render good service
to the hospital.
/. The SUPERINTENDENT has been able, en-
ergetic and devoted In the fulfilment OF
his responsible task, and the several other
members Of the staff have creditably
supplemented his labors by their faithful
ness and ability; 1t Is the manner In
which these officers have performed their
duties that makes the institution so
worthy Of public confidence.
CLASSIFICATION.
One of the great evils arising from the
present crowded condition Of the apart
ments of our hospital Is the difficulty of
making g suitable classification Of the In
mates. This serious embarrassment will
be obviated, when the Eastsrn Maine
hospital is completed. Meanwhile every
thing Is being done that circumstances
win allow. The advantages of proper
classification of the patients cannot be
over-estimatsd. The trustees have noticed
during the year that the superintsndent
has given careful attention to his matter,
andj our monthly visits have confirmed
our impression Of the wisdom and efficacy
Of his work.
RECREATION AND ADJUSTMENTS.
The inmates OF the hospital have had
the usual opportunities for out-of-door
recreation, and thers has bean no neglect
on the part Of the officers of the inst.tu-
tioa TO provide . variety of entertain
ments Of pleasing and instructive char
aoter.
THE FARM.
During the year the farm has had the
usual numbsr Of acres under cultivation,
and has proved fairly profitable. A large
crop Of fodder corn was raised for ensi-
lase. The potato crop was especially pro-
ductivesl yielding over $500 bushels.