The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-12
ASKS FOR MORE ROOM
Urgent Need of the State
Hospital Presented.
Board Meets, Hears and Commends Superin-
tendenis and Stewards Reports ard
Observation-Disclosures.

The Board of Directors of the State
Hospital at Raleigh were in session yes
terday in the annual meeting
At this meeting the board heard and
sidered the reports and recommendations
of the Superintendent, DR.. James Nc
Kee, the Steward, Mr.. w. r. Crawford,
Jr., and other officers of the hospital.
The reports entered into minute details
concerning the work of the State Hos
pital and its needs In these there was
| emphasis placed strongly upon one point,
and that was that the absolute needs of
the hospital demanded that there be
more room prov ided for the insane This
was in DR.. McKee's report, and the
board emphasized this in their recon-
mcndations.
The meeting was presided over by
Captain J. ID. Biggs, of Williamson,
president of the board, and the first
matter considered was the report of DR..
Mckee. 1t treated in most compre-
hensive manner of all the workings of the
hospital for the past two years, the de-
fects which existed. and the improve
ments which are needed.
Attention is called to the work of the
training school for nurses, where work is
we'll under way. The inebriate depart
ment is pronounced a failure, and the
board ask that the Legislature have this
department discontinued and relieve the
institution of these patients.
Attention is called to the inadequate
lighting faciltcs and improvements are
suggested which Will remedy this
The superintendent report goes into
details concerning the improvements at
the hospital and sets forth why there is
more room needed. 1t shows that the
capacity is insufficient and calls for the
erection of two wings at a cost OF sac
600 each. The board concurred in the
superintendent report, and recommends
to the Legislature that this amount be
appropriated, rs was also a recommended
ton urging Improvement of the water
supply and of the heating plant.
The board heard the detailed report of
the Steward, Mr.. w. r. Crawford, which
set forth the classification of all receipts
and expenditures, as we'll as the esti-
mated value of the farm garden and
dairy. from which a bountiful supply of
vegetables, milk and farm products are
obtained.
The matter of the appropriation which
should be asked of the Legislature was
considered carefully, and the various
amounts, making total of 100000, are as
follows:
s71 500 for maintaining hospital an
nually.
$17 900 for the engineering department.
$500 for carpenters house and equip
mont, dormitories and laundry.
$4,000 for the building of two wings
10 the main bulding-one for males and
the other for females. These wings are
to be 172 feet long and three stories
high.
50. 500 for painting buildings.
81 900 for fence around the grounds of
the hospital.
$4,000 for wafer connections With Wake
Water Company.
81 500 for water rent annually.
Sc. 500 to purchase additional land
$1,000 for outstanding indebtedness.
With regard to the work done at the
hospital the following statistics are
given
Patients in hospital December 1, 1900,
424-191 males, 233 females. Admitted
during the past two years, 306-l5f males,
1872 females. Total number treated dur
ing mast two years, 1896 males, 2S5
females Average daily population 422-
1873 males, 244 female. Capacity of his
pital 419-1S5 males, 234 females. Dis
charged as recovered during past two
years 232-129 males, 102 females. Dis
charged as improved GO males and
females. Discharged as harmless and in
durable. 4 males. Discharged as not in
sane, female. Transferred to State
Hospital at Morganton "a males, fc-
| males. Transferred to hospital for dan
rerous insane 81 male, females. Total
| number died during the past two years
| 74-43 males 81 females Total number
discharged during the past two years S33
-1S4 males 149 females. Per centage of
deaths to number treated, 6. Very near
! lv so per cent of the deaths were over
I SO years of age, and of the cause OF death
| tuberculosis stands at the head OF the
| list, Is persons having died Of this The
report also states that the percentage of
! discharges on admission, exclusive OF
/ deaths, is "A per cent, though it is OK
-, pected that many of these will apply for
| admission again
The board at its afternoon session, OK
! amined and approved the report OF ST.
/ perintenedtnt Mckee and Steward Craw-
| ford. 1t also inspected the buildings and
grounds and the members report that
everything was found in good condition
and we'll kept, expressions compliment
| tary to the work of the superintendent
ana steward being made by them, as was
| also the case with reference to the
| subordinate officers.
After the board adjourned the executive
| committee held it's regular monthly
mcetirf and transacted routine business.
prhUS TTYr a NOVEI