Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1903-11-06
WESTERN STATE HOSPITAL.

A meeting of the General Board OF
Hospitals for the State took place here
recently and was attended by represen
tasives of each of the other iDstltu-
5lons. The opinion expressed as TO the
hospital here was most commendotory.
Never, they said, had they seen great
er neatness. more general good order.
and more marked evidences OF fllcieLt
management. A member OF one OF the
visiting boards in recent letter TO
member of the Western State Hospital
board, thus expresses himself:
II write to thank you for the courte-
sy extended to me at your Institution
and city during my recent visit; also
to congratulate you on the magnificent
condition in which | found your asy-
ium, at our inspection. / can truth
fully say that do not believe there is
a cleaner institution anywhere in the
world
Of course there are various improve
ments necessary. One OF these has
been entered upon, and that is the wiz
ing of the building for electric light
ing, as we'll as to furnish light upon
the grounds. Better facilities for fur
nishipg water are also nearing compile
tion in large reservoir, which is be
ing dug by the labor from the institu-
ton. A store room has been planned,
and will pro oabiy be erected soon,
though legislative appropriation will
pe necessary for this. A meeting was
had with the board of the School for
the Deaf and the Blind, which school
is also wiring It's buildings for electric
lighting, with view of the Hospital
furnishing lights for both institutions,
but no definite action Was taken in
this matter. An arrangement was
made for the correct plating Of the
cemetery, So as to always identify
graves, and a committee was appointed
to recommend several changes in the
present laws.
During the meeting DR.. Benz. Black
the superintendent, read his report
which set forth in detail the condition
Of the Hospital and the various needed
additions for comfort, economy and
safety. We will refer briefly to that
report which is probably the most able
and exhaustive he has ever written.
According to that report there are
in the Hospital 1,O74 patients. as
against 1,047 the same time last year.
and the daily average has been 1853 :
and the total number in the hospital
during the year has been 1854. Dur
ing the year 207 were admitted. There
were SO deaths, and of those who died
were between 70 and so years of age
IA between go and 20, and II between
| so and so. Four of these have beer
in the hospital over Is years. and eight
of them between 10 and 25 years. Tit
general health of the hospital has beer
exceptionally good, no epidemic hal
occurred and but few cases of seriou
sickness.
1t. will be interesting to know th'
cost per capita of feeding, clothing
housing and attending these person.
in sickness and health. This cost, IN
GLIDING the cost of bringing them tt
the hospital, was $1l371 per capita
the lowest in many years, and this to-
when coal and nearly every article o
maintenance have materially advanced
in price.
This hospital was established il
1928, and since that time GA patient
have been admitted.
The hospital has been crowded to it
utmost during the year, and the su
perintendent sets forth urgently VIII.
greater accommodations should b
furnished. Insanity seems to be OF
the increase and deaths and discharge
do not keep pace with the applications
In the treatment of patients out doc
exercise, amusements, occupation ant
recreation, are found most salutary
The report says: 1.-The modern hos
pital is, or ought to be, a busy home O
industry, every department of i
working to a common end, viz: al
exemplifcation of the highest ant
best methods of living, with view O
restoring IN morbid minds those habits
of life which are essential to healthy
mental and physical health"
Under the head of improvement an6
repairs, granolithic walks are asked tt
be substituted for the old dilapidated
brick onces. The new reservoir will
hold 100000 gallons of water, and will
add greatly to the safety from fire, as
it's supply will be held principally fol
such and emergency. though of course
will be used daily about the buildings
A request for more land of which
the hospital is In sore need, is made.
Attention is sharply drawn to the
fact that only $75, 200 in fire insurance
! is carried, whereas 100000 would be
more in keeping, and the Legislature
is urged to make an appropriation for
this purpose.
Electric lighting and an intercom.
municating telephone system are
urged.
The superintendent expresses his
thanks to various newspapers in the
State for gratuitous copies sent to the
hospital, including the Argus and
SPECTATOR of this city; also to the
chaplains of the hospital for their reg.
ular and faithful attendance upon
religious exercises at the chapel, and
their attendance upon burials; and
closes with tribute to the staff and
attendants for their faithful, willing
and cordial support and co operation.
The report will soon be printed. and
when out will furnish interesting read