Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-02-22
SALEM COUNTY 70
BUILD IN ASYLUM.
FreehOIderS Authorize Loan Of SIS,
900 for that Purpose.

The late report of State authorities con-
demned the Salem and Gloucester county
Asylumns, and the Board Of Freeholders OF
the former county has been prompt to
meet the objections advanced, aud at the
meeting last week presented report setting
! forth series Of facts that should attract
the serious attention Of our own Chosen
Freeholders and Of our people. We quote
literally from that report
sIn considering the saving to the county
and to the individuals required to support
relatives at Trenton, there are various other
matters to which we would in passing refer
briefly.
| "a There is no cost to the county until
the patient is actually landed in the insti-
tuition. Patients who can afford it must
pay their own expenses Of commitment and
travel. The costs and expenses of those
who cannot afford it are paid by the muni-
cipality or township in which they have a
settlement.
| ~ The costs and expenses OF placing an
insane patient at Trenton viii run from $16
to $25 each, depending largely upon the
condition of the patient; in some cases two
or even three attendants are required to
take a patient to Trenton, with correspond
ing cost of railroad fares, carriage hire
meals, etc.
| (1A n
commitments to County Hospitals are much
less than the ordinary procedure in cases
of commitments Of cases in Trenton.
Your committee desire to express their
appreciation Of the many courtesies shown
us at the various institutions visited, full
information was given IN all cases and full
| opportunity iysn q iavsstigate everything
that might be deemed Of interest.
Ia view Of the crowded condition Of the
Ssate Hospital at Trenton, the very inade-
quate accommodation for our insane at the
County Aims House, the greater oppcr-
tunity for care aud attention in local
institution, as we'll as the generous State
Aid granted, we would respectfully recon-
mend, that this county construct a Hos
pital for tue Insane, in some convenient
location, with accommodations for not less
than 100 patients ESQ males and SO female)
at a cost of not exceeding So, 600, the same
to be raised by bond issue in accordance
with the statutes Of this State in such case
made and provided.
VIM NJ. BURK
j. F. AYREs,
w. J. FREAs,
RICHARD B. GRlsCoMB.
Your committee has visited the Hospitals
for the Insane located in the counties Of
Atlantic, Burlington and Cumberland, and
are greatly impressed by all we saw pro-
vided for the care and amelioration Of the
unfortunates who have been committed to
the care Of said institutions; and we have
also been greatly impressed by the sincere.
interest shown by the managers Of said
institutions in those who have thus been
committed to their charge.
The buildings thus inspected by us, are
uniformly commodious, the Lying rooms
are so arranged that they are we'll venti-
lated, light and Of easy access to the sum
shine; at the same time they are we'll and
safely lighted and heated, and also guarded
from all danger from fire; bath rooms and
layatories are provided, good and palatable
food and good and pure water furnished.
We are advised that the condition Of
these unfortunates, whom scientific men
and women all oyer the world are endeav-
oring to help, respond in no small de-
gree to the efforts Of those in charge of
these County Hospitals. That it is possible
to better classify and seperate them, to
better look after and care for them in the
smaller Hospitals, than 10 the very large
institutions belonging to. this State, and
that under this improved care and observa-
tion many cures are being affected that
could not be expected under former condi-
tions. The Hospital near Bridgeton has
furnished several cases in this regard.
Looking at the matter from financial
point Of view, your committee believes
that the erection Of such Hospital in this
county, in some approved and convenient
location, would not only be benefit to the
patients themselves comfort to the friends
and relatives Of those treated therein
with opportunity to visit them at q mimi
mum cost, but a positive saving to she
county.
/ Taking the Cumberland County Hospital
for an example. We will bridy state some
iacts relative thereto.
This plans exclusive Of ground cost six
ears ago $s5, 900, il Was opened Eve years
ago last April with 1Cs inmates, eighteen
from their County Hospital and ninety
from Trenton. II now has 142 inmates, n
sreatSs
urfaan or Bailey, 4 s q. esss.4