Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1907-01-04
CHRISTMAS AT THE ASYLUM
Dr.. Hoover Provided Appropriate
Entertainment for Unfor-
tunates Under His
Care.

eehudhts rs nearly as possible ike
they would in happy home. DR..
Hoover made all necessary arrange.
,nents for a Christmas tree, and
made it gala day at the institution.
A fine poultry dinner was served to
al, and each patient received sack
filled with candy, fruit and popcorn.
In the evening they had u grand ball
in the amusement hall, and light re-
freshments were served.
On w edne sday afternoon the
Cawdin Orchestia from Salt Lake
rendered them concert, and in the
evening the employees and some Of
their friends had a dance in the
amusement hall, the Cawdin Orches-
ira furnishing the music.
On Christmas Day the local edi-
tors and their wives and l.. Rush
Livermore and wife of the Pocatello
Tribune visited the institution and
besides seeing the patients at DINNER
and recreation, were shown through
the building.
Everything was scrupulously
clean and neat, the walls and wood
work tastily painted, and apparent
ly all conducted in homelike and
hygenic manner. Many house plants
were In evidence in the corridors
where the patients lounge, and the
familiar but respectful relations ex.
isting between DIR. Hoover and the
patients was indicative of the fellow
feeling SO effective In restoring those
| unfortunates to normal conditions.
| DIR. Hoover said that wear and a
half ago there were 26s patients III
the Institution of whom Al were
under restraint, wearing straight
| Jackets to deprive them of the fire..
use of their limbs, and that of u
244 patients now under his care, ,.z
one is kept in restraint.
The institution, he says, produce
all the vegetables they can use, ali.
they have sold considerable cabbage.
clrrots, apples, ETC., besides having
l2O tons of roots to use for feeding
cattle and hogs belonging to the
farm. They raised 600 tons of hay, !,
have enough wheat to stake to
milr' and supply the -four for the
year and seed the fields next spring:
have rows of big barrels filed with
nice kraut of their own making, a
big stock of home cured pork.
abundant dairy products, and many
other evidences of a thrifty country
home. Many improvements have
been made, many comforts added to
the Institution, salaries Of employees
maintained at the old mark, and all
plld out of the, appropriation OF
$40, 900 year.
Means of instant communication
are maintained throughout the
building SO that superintendent and
employees can keep in touch witt
each other. The doctor can talk tt
one or all the ward attendants a
once from his Office or at touch O
the keyboard by his pillow if he Il
in bed, and from the same spot h,
can talk to people in three or fou
states.
! A systematic fire drill keeps tn
attendants and patients in trainin,
for the unweleome alarm, and shoul.
fire get a start at the dead of night
all who are able to walk would i'm
mediately rise and march throug Q
; various exits, while the strong arm
;. OF attendants or rational patient
V would carry those who are unabl
e to walk. A standing order place
: the responsibility with certain i,
Y dividuals in case the unexpecte
q should happen and leave no lime /
y plan.
The institution Is lighted by ele
tricity from American Falls, an
y heated by hot water. A long ro
= of ranges is used for the cookin,
:" and the bread is baked in a lar,
V. oven. The doctor SAWS II takes on