The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-18
IT WANTS $14O,0OO
Central Hospital Here VANS
That Much.
1t Also Asks For arger Regular Apprcp-ia-
lion Fo- Support. Some Rec mmerda-
TORS Directors Reput.

The following is summary of the re-
port of the board of directors of the
Central Hospital at Raleigh, made by Mr..
John d. Biggs. chairman of the board.
/. The proper care of the criminal in
sane
2. Liquidation of the present in
debtedness of about =. :. =. $40, 900
3. An annual appropriation for
support and maintenance of AIS
patients at $3.50 :. =. :. :. :. =. Il, $50
4. Annual appropriation for repair
of old building and iron stair
ways /. =, :. 5000
). Annual appropriation for TIC
building three wards, female de.
cartmcnt l. 900
6. Annual appropriation for ? years
for building for 400 patients 10000
The report of the executive committee
composed of Dr. James Mckee DR.. r.
Fl. Stancill and Mr. w. 3. Fort-shows
the institution T.. he IL excellent tondi-
ton, the service Of the cMolo.es better
than ever the patients we'll nourished
and cared for. and the superintendent and
staff capable and efficient. The 'increas-
ed cost of everything REQUIRED for the
maintenance of the institution" has
brought about an unavoidable deficit of
about $4,000. Referring to the Steward
and the deficit, the report says
I'm the steward. Mr. w. r. Crawford,
Jr., we still find a faithful and efficient.
prudent and careful purveyor. His books
are neatly and simply kept and his ac-
counts have always been found correct
your Committee have never experienced
any difficulty in ascertaining therefrom
the true financial status of the institu-
ton, and when the pending deficit became
manifest we were enabled thereby to make
such a showing at the bank as to induce
that institution to permit us to overdraw
our account and maintain the economic
advantage of prompt cash payment OF cur
rent expenses, whereby we were relieved
of a very awkward, if not perilous, situa-
tion"
After reviewing the anxiety caused by
the failure to make an appropriation for
the So called criminal insane, the report
scvs:
In this connection we respectfully sug-
gest to the Board of Directors that they
incorporate in their report a recommended
ton that this anomalous class of un-
fortunates (the dangerous insane) be re-
committed to the Hospital of the district
from which they were convicted
sentenced and came; or, if, in
the wisdom of the General AS
sembly it be deemed best to- keep them
here, that provision be made for a suitable
building to be erected upon the Hospital
grounds at convenient distance from the
general building. These patients are not
receiving the care and attention which the
law directs: complaints are made Of ir-
regular and insufficient heat. light and
water supply, of plumbing out of order
and uncleanliness from DR.. E. B. Ferre-
bee Second Assistant Physician of State
Hospital, in charge of these patients"
Concluding the report, DR.. Mckee says:
THE reservoir at the rear of the Hos
pitaI, from which the water used to sup
ply the building was drawn, sprung leak
during the summer and was repaired by
Recommending with Portland cement at
a cost of six hundred and sixty-fou dol
lars
Careful computation discloses the fact
that under existing current prices for sup
plies the cost of maintenance per capita
will be one hundred and fifty dollars and
the number of PATIENTS is still and will
be at the minimum four hundred and
sevent---five.
THE addition of two female wards will
add greatly to the comfort and conven-
fence CT all the insane PATIENTS of this
district A great many of these female
patients are occupying wards on the male
side and should, for obvious reasons.
have apartments on their side OF the
buildir=
THE Hospital building was completed
in 1856, and forty-fve years Of constant
use induce call for new floors. They
are largely worn-out and should be re-
placed with long leaved, heart-pine. saw
ed, tongued, grooved and blind nailed, one
and one-fourth inches thick and not wild
or than four inches. Such a floor would
outlast two ordinary floors, and such lum-
Der is rapidly disappearing from our
forest and markets.
I'm addition to the much needed floors,
there should be iron stairways and eleva-
tors, modern Improvements now regarded
as indispensable to comfort, convenience
and safety, as were diffused warmth, good
and frequent bathing regarded
as conducive to health and longevity by
our forefathers.
THE matter of charging patients, able
TO pay, for board. nursing and medical
carrying much legal doubt with
it, your committee instructed the superin-
tcndent to render an account against the
guardian of a patient whose income
amounts to very nearly one thousand dol
lars ard no one to enjoy It. The guar
dian resisted it, case was made up ON
the facts, presented at one of the Infe-
rior courts. and an appeal was taken to
the Supreme Court. We are informed
that decision will be made in February.
In conclusion. We beg to acknowledge
our obligation to DR.. Kirby, superinten-
dent, and his corps of assistants for the
constant vigilance. care and efficiency
with which they have performed all their
official duties. and the uidiform courtesy
and assistance they have alcrded us in
the performance OF ours
STOPV on A CT AVE