Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-05-02
HOSPITALS
BIENNIAL REPORT

This paper Is III receipt OF a copy of
the official reports of the trustees and
officers of the State hospital for the
insane at Danville which just at the
present time, when public attention
is attracted by the big appropriation
before the governor, possesses rather
more than usual interest.
The report covers the period between
October /, 1904. and September 30,
1906 1t is we'll worth perusal, as
many facts may be CLEANED rejecting
general efficacy and wise management
in the care of the insane that other
wise might be lost sight of, no matter
how many visits be made to the hos
pital.
The superintendent report presents
an interesting table, which shows the
movement of population for the bien-
nial period. The number of patients
in the hospital September 30, 1904,
were 1897 admitted during the period,
439; whole number under treatment,
1886; discharged during the period,
357 recovered, 81 improved, 85; un
improved, 30; died %; number of in
sane remaining September 80, 1906,
1879; number of inebriates remaining
September 80. 1904, 3; admitted dur
ing the period, A; dis charged, A; in
ebriates remaining September 30, 1906,
3; total patients remaining September
80. 1906. 1882; highest number under
treatment any one day, 1886; lowest
number, 1893; average number under
treatment, 1249 26.
The original capacity Of the insti-
tuition was $50 of each sex. This num-
Der has been increased in recent years
to 500 men and 450 women. The pres
ent number shows S32 above the nor
NAL capacity of the building.
The majority of this excess are pro-
vided with beds in the sitting rooms,
attic, halls and by crowding addition
al beds into the regular dormitories,
leaving 63 men and % women occupy
ing temporary beds upon the floor of
Railways.
The special hospital work carried on
by Mrs. Meredith. assisted by DR.. Ida
Ashenhurst, is feature at the hos
pital, which many persons are not
familiar with. The handiwork of the
patients is displayed in large glass
show case in one of the visiting wards
The designs of fine needle work are
handsome and varied and are sold to
visitors. A gross income of $5l3, 81
has been produced from this source,
which is applied to replenishing the
library.
The farm and garden, under the
able management of James o. Warner
and James Baynham, have proven
very productive. More land, how
ever, is desired in order 60 increase
the dairy product. Good rich milk is
essential in the treatment of mental
disorders and outside of what the
farm produces the hospital is Obliged
to expend between Sc, 600 and $1,000
for milk annually.
Ths table showing the occupation Of
the patients admitted is not without
interest. From the beginning 1G9f
raDorers nave peen aumruueu, whtvrr Il
the largest number in the table. The
next highest are farmers 604 OF
whom have been admitted Miners
come next. 408 of these having beer
admitted. Among the trades carpen.
teTing seems to be the most conducive
to mental alteration as 100 of this oc,
cupation have gone to the hospital
since the beginning.
Several occupations seem conducive
to a state OF mental equilibrium.
There is only one editor" shown in
the table taking in the entire history
of the institution. There is also only
one stove moulder, one motorman, one
street car conductor, one oysterman,
one packer, one postmaster, one shoe
dealer, one stenogTapher.