Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-08-20
DIR. CIRCUIT.

DIR. CIRCUIT.
IT will be seen by the above that the
number OF patients Is constantly increas-
ing and for various reasons will continue
TO do so. For the term ending June 90
1898. the daily average number OF pa
tients was 5e3; for the period ending
June 80 1900. It was ia. During this
term twenty-five patients were trans
ferred TO the retreat at Brattleboro. In
consequence Of these removals the daily
average for the term ending June 80
1902 was 511H The 1904 period showed
a general average Of 5l4eo and for the
term Of 1866 II was $3.50. While the
term TO- which this Is a report shows
daily average OF 56osa Several times
during the past year the total number
OF patients In the hospital has been SO.
The capacity Of the hospital was IN
creased by the opening In September 1905,
OF a new building intended and used as
| far as necessary for the accommodation
OF the tubercular insane. This building
can accommodate comfortably, twenty-five
patients. The location and construction
OF this building Is such that only male
patients can be accommodated. IT is a
model Of It's kind, and the remarkably
small death rate from tuberculosis since
II was opened less than half that OF
former years, is proof OF Its efficiency
The female tubercular patients contin-
ue to be cared for In an ordinary ward.
In former years an understanding was
had between the board OF trustees and
the superintendent that when the total
number of patients exceeded 535 that
twenty or twenty-five should be taken
to the retreat at Brattleboro. This was
done at three different times and total
Of sixty-hve patients were transferred
there.
LIMIT NOW rs SOS
The increased capacity by the addition
Of the new building made so equal 5Ss
OF former years. while but small por-
ton of the time during the past year
has our total number been as low a:
500. and as stated above. has severa
times reached SIS. yet by careful classif-
cation We have been able 20 accommodate e
all who have come without being partic-
ularly over-crowded. rs should be CON
sidcred the limit Of our capacity and
any more. that Is Under ordinary condi
lions, detriment 20 the patients and
to the service.
Governor Proctor has visited us fire.
ouently and by advice and counsel has
rendered material assistance.
Through the action OF the United States
e:n,gration commission four inmates OF
the hospital have been deported to for
eigu countries. and n careful examina
ton of our records by such officers re-
veals the fact that fifteen per cent Of our
population were either illegally admitted
into this country or could and should
have been dcported, had action been
taken In season.
The general health OF our people has
been good. No epidemics have pre-
vailed and cases OF acute illness have
been comparatively rare. While our
death rate has been somewhat above
the average OF former years there are
very good reasons for It. Beginning
the year 1891 and ending In 1895, wher
the hospital buildings were completed
as originally planned, about 400 pa
tients were brought here from the Re
treat at Brattieboro. This included al
of the so-called estate cases." and rep
resented the Accommodations Of man,
years. and many were we'll advanced
In years when transferred here. One
Of the deaths which occurred here the
past winter was that OF woman
eighty-three years OF age. and hat
been at Brattleboro and here sixt,
| years. Another was that OF a mar
committed TO the Retreat at Brattls
= boro In 1864 and had been n residen
, of that and this hospital ever since
I reference to our mortuary tables, vii
n show that the average age at deaf,
was beyond that Of similar institutions