Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1909-12-09

URGES REFORMS
IN 0vERBR0OK
Fred L. Baldwin, in Annual Re-
port, Scores Existing Con-
ditiOns at Asylum.

County Supervisor Fred L. Baldwin
today submitted his annual report to the
Board of Freeholders. The report
covers thirteen typewritten pages and
says that in general the affairs of the
county are in splendid condition. 1t
covers the period from December 1,
1908, to December /, 1909.
The report first touches on the work
of the Hospital for Contagious and In
fictitious Diseases. This institution
declares Mr.. Baldwin, " has demon
strated by its remarkable RECORD of
cures that 1t is one of the best invest
ments the county mas ever undertaken.
During the year covered by the report
there nave been received at the insti-
tuition 502 cases of scarlet fever and 231
cases of diphtheria. The percentage of
cures were: Scarlet fever, 1865; diph-
iberia, 1917. When 1t is taken into ac-
count that many of the most malignant
cases were treated, this showing is the
more remarkable"
Touching on the Overbrook Asylum
for the Insane, Mr.. Baldwin's report
tells OF the occupancy Of the building
during the last week of July, 1909.
There are about 1900 patients now at
the asylum. There are at the hospital
about 10 0patients for whom the county
is paid from 50 to $40 a week, the re-
naming 1000 being INDECENT patients.
Continuing, the report says:
while those Who are a lawful public
charge should be generously cared for,
stin. in justice to- the taxpayers who
support the institution, due diligence
should be exercised in ascertaining to a
certainty as to whether legal require
ments are being fully complied with in
all cases.
THE court, which commits patients
to our care as indigents has neither
time nor opportunity to make that
thorough investigation of each individ-
ual case that conditions in this coun-
try seem to warrant; therefore ii would
seem both possible and profitable to in
augurate a system of investigation by
a competent officer appointed by your
board to make a complete inquiry and
record in each case, and to present to
the court such facts as may be OBJ
tanned by him from. such investigation
when 1t appears necessary that the case
should have further judicial considera-
ton. A. similar system is in opera
ton inthe State of New York and has
worked most succfully there.
Several complaints and criticisms of
a serious nature. which reflect upon
the management of the institution. have
been made within the asst month. While
the committee on county hospitals has
taken up the matter of systematizing
the records, which, though necessary, is
20 - - r-ao&a. raraorf anao %hon q thnr-
ough investigation OF the charges that
there Is such negligence and lack of
responsibility among those having
charge of the institution as to cause
unnecessary and heartless mistakes to
be made in informing relatives of con-
dition or death of patients, as we'll as
lack of courtesy accorded relatives de-
string to visit patients at proper times.
These charges. if sustained,
should result in sue changes being
made, even though they be drastic,
as conditions may seem to warrant.
This hospital, from its nature. is and
should be TO a large extent private. But
it is imperative that it be conducted in
such shape as to merit the implicit con-
fdence of not only those who have rela-
tives or friends there, but every citizen
of the county
The report shows that 1904, 10l. SO
has been paid to the contractor for the
administration, five main hospital
buildings, kitchen and firehouse. which
is 5,463. OF, less than the contract price.
The services of Henry Dickson, Henry
NJ. Doremus and Jacob Rau, who acted
as a committee of citizens to inspect
the buildings before their final accept
ance, is praised in h report. their re-
port being embodied in that of Mr..
Baldwin.
The supervisor reports that s~atisfac-
tory progress is being made in rebuild
ing the Plank road and says the plans
decided upon seem ample to take care
of the heavy traffic they are destined
to bear. He urges that contracts for
sections two and three be awarded at
once.