Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-03
INSANE HOSPITALS,
Trustees Plan for Expediture Of APP
preparations by Legislature.

Inc saturday edition of the Bangor
commercial contained the following in
relation to the proposed changes and i'm
proVements to be made at the Insane hos
rital in this city:
Inc trustees of the insane hospitals met
AT Augusta. Thursday. to take steps for
the expenditure of the appropriations
made by the Legislature for the hospital
at Augusta.
mere was an appropriation of $4,000
LOT putting copper aprons on the roofs
OF the Harlow and Sanborn wings and
constructing fireproof Stairways for these
buildings. Another appropriation of 49,
WV was to construct a sewer for the
farmhouse and outbuildngs which when
done will complete the sewerage system
or the institution. The largest appropria-
non of $4,000 was for the renovation of
the big arsenal building. the dimensions
OF which are 40 by 81 feet ard repairing
the dormitories on the arsenal grounds
tor the housing of the necessary help to
care for the patients in the large building
The trustees appointed Hon. George F.
Macomber. Dr. e. r. Sanborn and NJ S.
Campbell, trustee. superintendent and
steward. respectively, building commit
tee to take charge of the proposed i'm
provementS. Work will be commenced rs
soon as the season fairly opens with the
expectation Of completing them before an
other year
The chief undertaking is the work on
the arsenal property which has just been
presented to the State by the United
States government. Just what to do has
been the subject of much thought and
study by the trustees and officers of the
hospital. 1t is their business to utilize
the buildings and grounds as advanta-
eeOusly as possible. Supt. Sanborn visit
ed Massachusetts, this week. to talk with
the insane authorities there and see what
they were doing. He passed one entire
afternoon with the secretary of the
Massa chusetts board of insanity.
Many of the institutions are making
colonies for the overplus of chronic de-
mellts. 1t has become a fixed policy in
Massachusetts. says DIR. SanbOrn. to es
tahlish on premises Of the institutions.
sufficiently near the main buildings so
that the patients can receive proper care
from the medical officers, one or two
story building on the open ward or gen
eral hospital plan where from 20 to 40
patients occupy an open ward with prop
er night supervision. At Westboro they
are already caring for 100 patients by this
method. The superintendent there finds
that this system fully meets the wants
of the patients and with the less.ning of
restraint which such accommodations
give it is found to add to their comfort
and we'll being. This method of colonial
ton is being rapidly developed by the
Massachusetts board of insanity.
It IS suggested that the large arsenal
building be reconstructed on this plan.
The upper stories will probably be used
for dormitories and the lower story for
n day room.
1t is thought there will be accommodate
tions sufficient to take care of the sur
plus Of quiet and orderly patients from
the hospital. The building will be in
readiness for patients at the close of the
year. In connection with the improve
rnent of the arsenal property will be the
building of a new direct road from the
hospital to connect with Arsenal street.
1t will lessen the distance to the business
street of Augusta about a mile and give
easy grades where there are now steep
hills.
The plan of taking an inferno for the
hospital from the Maine Medical school
for one year was abandoned several years
ago. This the trustees have decided to
revive and an inferno will now be taken
This will be made necessary because of
the additional accommodations of the
arsenal annex. There is q. fine residence
on the arsenal grounds which WAS for
merly occupied by the commandant. This
has been offered to Supt. Sanborn for Il
home, but he refused to accept it. pre-
ferring to continue at the hospital where
his work is