Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-02

stitutions farmer and his place was
wisely filled by the appointment of
William H. Allen, who since 1879, has
been in the immediate charge of the
floral department, the garden, shrub
berry and lawns. 1t seemed wise to add
to the above service the farm depart
ment so that in this change all that
was under the immediate supervision
of two heads is now under the direct
management of Mr.. Allen"
The report of the committee on recre-
alton and amusement of patients,
which committee consists of Dr. B. I.
Sanhorn. and Hon. Charles E. Field
and Mrs. J. r. Smith of the board of
| trustees. contains much interesting
| matter relative to these important
| features of hospital work.
The report of the visiting committee
| is as follows:
To His Excellency, the Governor, and
the Executive Council of the State Of
Maine
The visiting committee to the Maine
Insane hospitals, appointed by the Gov
erncr. January, A. d. 1901, in compliance
with the provision of chapter 143, Sec
| ton 81 of the Revised Statutes of
Maine respectfully submit a report of
| their acts for the year A. d. 1902.
In the report of the trustees and
superintendent, upon whom devolve
the management of the institutions,
you have been advised in detail of their
| financial affairs. their present condi
lions and future needs, and it seems to
be of but little need for your committee
to report further than as to the care
and condition of the patients as OBJ
served by us.
The visits of the committee have been
made to each hospital every month OF
the year at irregular times and with
out previous notice to the management.
We have always found the wards at
each hospital in excellent condition,
with even temperature, the patients
clean, provided with suitable clothing,
and receiving the care and attention
which their unfortunate conditions de-
mand. the food and kitchen supplies
at each hospital have been examined
by us at different times and have in
varably been found to be of good
quality and quantity.
Although ample opportunity has been
given each inmate to be heard and to
make complaint, if any cause existed
therefor. we are pleased to say that we
have none to report.
The affairs of these institutions are,
in our judgment, in excellent condition
and under the management of officers
thoroughly qualified to discharge their
important duties.
1t is a source of qualification to be
able to state that the recently erected
= NJa,, f,1
are well adapted in their construction
to meet the necessities and comfort of
it's inmates. The wards are we'll
ventilated and the lavatories are
equipped with modern plumbing, which
extend to all. the most approved and
modern sanitary conditions. In our IN
vestigatfons however, we are unable to
state that the above environments exist
in the old wards of the hospital. We
have. during visits, kept in touch with
the construction of the first wing for
females and which is now practically
complete. We find that it has been
built of fireproof construction, its
plumbing and sewerage is upon the
most approved recent plan and will, 4
when occupied, extend to the patients
not only opportunities for the bestil
possible care but, in its improved
ventilation and plumbing, will afford
ample hygienic and sanitary cond1-
tions. To this end, in order that all of
the patients of the institution may DE
placed under such favorable states, we
would recommend that the policy al
ready established be continued in the
renovation, upon the above plan, of
such wings of the hospital as have,
from the occupation of more than half
a century, become dilapidated and I'M
able to afford to the patients such care
as is in keeping with the most modern
methods. u
We have examined the plans which |
tho trustees and superintendent of the /
institution have recently furnished, and |
it is evident that the changes, which !
we regard as necessary to be made, |
will not only confer that care which the |