The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-26
Interesting Reports Of Work Of
Butler Hospite| Rendered.
OFFICERS WERE REELECTED
Prominent Men Of State Elected 10 Mem
hsrshIp Ia Corporation, Including GM
Utter and Mayer Miller.

Yesterday was held the eist annual
meeting OF the corporation of the Butler
hospital for the insane at the Provi-
dence Institution for Savings on South
Main street President William Goddard
and the remaining officers of the cor
poration were reelected while the va
rious reports which were presented re-
fected the increasing influence of the hos
pital.
Despite the storm a large number OF
the members OF the corporation were
present at o'clock, when President VIII
liam Goddard addressed the corporation.
Secretary Charles Morris Smith read the
annual report OF the BOARD OF trustees,
which follows In part:
The trustees present herewith their
6lst annual report: They have made the
weekly inspections OF the hospital re-
quired by the bylaws and have always
found the wards and the various depart
ments OF the institution I'm good order.
Never since the hospital was founded has
better. wiser OF more humane care been
given 10 the patients than at the present
time.
A CURATIVE INSTITUTION.
ment allowed the inma tes the bright and
cheerful surroundings OF the wards and
the wise and skilful attention OF an I'm
creased number OF carefully trained
nurses have rendered hospital life less irk-
some and irritating than II formerly was,
while the opportunities given 10 work in
the workshops and 10 assist In the labors
OF the farm. the kitchen and the laundry
help 10 calm the excitement OF those who
~ he nd
planning.
With the growth OF the hospital there
has been a constantly increasing develop
ment of the idea OF greater freedom,
fewer locks and less physical restraint
This development has taken great strides
in the last ffve years and an amount OF
freedom is now allowed TO the patients
In every ward that would have seemed
dangerous 10 years ago
Forty-lve years ago the trustees in
their annual report stated that "the OBJ
Ject for which the Butler hospital was
established was especially the cure OF In
sanity.
ITO enable II 90 accomplish this object
no expense has been spared and the SER
vices Of the highest professional talent
have been secured q" This object has
never been lost sight OF by the trustees,
and the hospital Is today more OF
curative institution than ever before
The establishment of the state hospital
for the insane at Cranston, which allowed
the transfer OF n large number OF in
durable insane TO it's care was the first
great factor I'm giving new opportunity
for the development OF this hospital as
a cura tive institution.
The building OF the Duncan ward and
the Sawyer ward and later the generous
gifts 10 the hospital of the Goddard house
and the Weld house rendered a complete
classification of the patients possible and
gave such enlarged facilities for treat
ment that the medical staff was enabled
To devote itself to curative work under
the most favoring auspices.
FIRE PRECAUTIONS
To the medical stan all the credit for
the success OF the institution is due; with
out their efficient work all the new and
costly facilities OF the hospital would
have been of no avail. What they have
accomplished the past year will appear
from the annual report OF the superin-
tcndent OF the trustees. which is made
a part Of this report and will be read by
DR. Blumer.
During the last year many improve
ments have been made i'm the interior of
the hospital and there has hardly been
day that some part OF the buildings
has not been in the hands OF the work
men.
IL has required a great deal Of cutting
and channelling to run the wires for cleo
trio lighting through the old buildings
but the task has been practically accom-
plished. and every ward I'm the hospital
as well as the Duncan lodge, is now ready
for electric lighting
The most important Improvement that
has been made is the construction OF two
new fireproof staircases OF cement con-
O. ar1a
the hospital.
These staircases arc enclosed I'm brick
walls and all openings to the walls and
20 the basement have timed fire doors
so that there Is no combustible matter in
the stair wells and II will always be pos
sible 10 enter and to leave the different
stories OF the hospital In case or fire with.
out danger OF meeting the flames on the
staircases.
Last year the old wooden stairwavs I'm
the south wards on each side were re-
placed by these cement concrete fireproof
stairs, and with the addition Of the two
that have been built this year the trustees
believe that the institution Is amply pro-
vided with means OF safe egress from the
wards I'm case OF fire and congratulate the
corporation on the elimination OF anxiety
on that account.
HELP DISTRICT NURSES.
The receipts from patients are larger
than for any other year I'm the hospitals
history and have enabled the institution
10 make the numerous improvements that
have been completed without intrenching
on its invested funds.
Treasurer Moses r.. T. Goddard pre-
sented his report. which showed the cor.
poratlon had n balance on the right side
OF the ledger. Then Or Bumer read his
report. II was document which CON
veyed every detail OF the workings Of the
hospital Dr. Blumer first presented sta
tistics relative 10 the medicai work OF the
institution. calling attention 20 the treat
ment OF patients and referred to the work
OF the training school
IN this connection he said. 1T is evil
dent that certain branches OF the work
such AZ obstetrics demand for their
fuller teaching bedside opportunities be-
yond those which a restricted sphere Of
nursing activities can place within the
roach nf ~