The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1905-12-15
COMMEND HOSPITAL NO. q
Report Of Committee Of the Southeast
Missouri Medical Association
y
Which Net in Pennington
October i7.l9.

During the meeting of the Southeast
Missouri Medical Associ alton at Farm
| ington, Il members visited State
Hospital No. for Insane, and at a
subsequent meeting, appointed COM
mittee TO report impressions Of con,
di,ions as found. The report OF com.
mittee follows:
MIR. PRESIDENT: Your committee
appointed to report impressions Of
conditions existing at State Hospital
No. 4 at Pennington, beg to say: we
are greatly impressed with the Iust-
tuition, its appearance, its condition,
and its management. The buildings
are splendid in architectural design,
and are arranged upon the grounds in
shape of large mother bird, with
wings extended, as If to "hovcr" and
protect the dependent, ia beautiful
and BETTING thought.) The condi-
ton of the buildings was as perfect as
is possible to conceive, the cleanliness
being all the most cXacting could de-
mand. The farm contributes largely
to the support of the Hospital and
should be literally sustained. We are
well pleased with the Cottage Sys-
tenn which Permits separation and
classification of patients, according to
their various ailments, making possible
the essentials so conducive to the wei
fare and recovery OF the afflicted.
The surroundings OF the inmates are
such that their retention is one Of
pleasure rather than discomfort.
They live out of doors in seasonable
weather and the the enforced exercise
necessary TO health appears to be
greatly enjoyed by them. They walk
to their meals, the dining room being
some distance from the other build
ingo, and that alone means exercise
three times day. The Institution
has an especially large per cent Of i'm.
beetles and degensratcs, yet the per
cent of recovery OF actual insane, rs
results of modern methods used, is
surprisingly large and each month wit
nesses the return to their homes of
many of the unfortunatcs, restored to
reason.
We find also large number of
idiots and cpileptics under fifteen
years Of age. They should be taken
to Marshal TO the Institution of feeble
minded. Many Of them have degree
of intelligence and could be educated
sufficiently TO become self supporting,
and some comfort 10 themselves.
The clinic given at the intirmary
consisted of an exhibition of fifteen
patients with almost rs many differ
eut mental deficiencies, and was q
clear demonstration of the able and
proficient management in charge
which we loudly proclaim is second
TO none anywhere. The kindness and
consideration shown by the officers TO
the patients and the fondness OF the
patients for the officers were incidents
hailed with great pleasure by those in
attendance. The superintendent evil
IDENTIFY is accepting his task as labor
of love, and the sympathy, kindness
and care exercised by him elected our
most hearty commentator.
IT'S the sense of your committee
tina, each member of the association
was deeply moved by what he wit
messed, and left an interested and an
enthusiastic friend of the Institution,
and we further believe, could every !
citizen of Southeast Missouri visit tho |
Hospital they would regard it n most
pleasant privilege, instead of tax, to
contribute to its support. Your COM
mittce reflects the sentiment OF the
association when they, urge tho people
OF Southeast Missouri to regard this
Institution as their own, and to in
struct their representatives to demand
of the Legislature means sufficient to
properly enlarge and sustain it, in ac-
corduncc with the requirements for
the comfort and welfare Of the I'M
fortunates who are neccssarally con-
fined there. These people are our
people, and our gratitude to our Crca-
tor, for blessings, greater than they
arc enjoying, can DO no better shown,
than to most literally contribute 10
their every want.
Respectfully Submitted.
W. Il. GoopYKouNTZ, Caledonia.
Il. A. SPARKS, Blodgett.