Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-01-05
Of Insane Hospital Com
mittee on Amusement.
What Is Done for Physical
Recreation Of Patients.
Recreation Hospital at Chase Is.
land Great Benefit.

The report of the committee on rec
reation and amusement of insane pa
ticntS. which consists of Dr. BigeloW
T. Sanborn. superintendent of the
Maine Insane hospital, Charles Z.
Field of Bangor and Mrs. Frederick
Cony of Randolph, has been filed with
the board Of trustees of insane hospi-
tails, and is as follows
: Your committee appointed wear nv
year, for the purpose of placing before
your Board. what has been accom-
plished il the above, important branch
of Medical treatment, desire to respect
fully submit its annual report.
The treatment to be pursued in order
to accomplish the best results, in hos
pitfalls dedicated to the care of those
who are suffering from mental disease,
differs widely from institutions, where
such conditions do not exist, and where
it is necessary only to cope with pure
ly physical disturbances. A failure to
recognize this important feature in
treatment, in withholding opportuni-
ties for recreation and divertion, does
not extend to the patients, such posi-
biities for improvement or recovery as
he is entitled to.
The treatment of this class is being
more and more investigated, and in
common with that of other branches
of medicine. Psychiatry has taken
rapid strides during the past twenty
years, and particularly in the direc-
| ton of resorting to such measures as
will tend to divert the mind from it's
subjective and morbid conditions.
oGfn f<,
ton for the healthy recreation of our
female patients. and which we have
striven for through the annual reports,
and in frequent consultations with the
entire Board we are pleased TO say
have been accomplished, in the COM
pletion of a beautiful park upon the
Arsenal property. Its high elevation
affords the patients an extended view
Of the river and hills beyond It's top
ography is such, that the drainage is
very perfect so that since it's occupa-
ton, during the early season. has en-
abled the patients to occupy it at least
six or seven hours each day. up to
within a very short time. except when
rainy weather has precluded. 1t is
easy of access, and is supplied with a
suitable and liberal sidewalk, from the
| exit of the institution the entire dis
lance. 1t is located nearly three quar-
ters of q mile from the hospital, and
the exercise obtained to and from
twice day with that they receive in
the park, has given vigor and most
beneficial and observable results are
manifest.
Our patients are passing into WIN
for CT nh ,an ohc
any previous year Favorable mental
results are also apparent in not a few
For many years our patients. in or
der to obtain physical recreation, were
obliged to go out upon the highway,
and expose themselves to the gaze Of
the public. so very Objectionable, and
which was not extending that care and
quiet, which their individual cond-
tons demanded. Now the Opportun-
ties are such. that publicity is withheld
and they are free to occupy the entire
park unmolested. We regard this ac-
cosSory in our treatment as of most
marked import, and nothing in our
judgment has been accomplished for
years. in this direction, having within
its grasp such potentialities calculated
to contribute to the further we'll being
of those placed under our care. This
construction has been accomplished
out of the beGueStS of the institution
unaided by Legislative appropriations.
Chase Island has been occupied for
about four months, the time being di-
vided between the two sexes The fe-
males being taken there June Sth. re-
naming two months, when the males
in b,r %
cupied it for about the same length of
time. Before its occupancy, during the
early season, a convenient and cOmmo-
dious swimming pool was completed.
1t is constructed on a lower level than
the sea, and filled through a pipe by
the incoming tide. and held in by the
closure of the tube. The temperature
of the water is raised by the suns
heat. and is made much more cOmfor-
table for bathing. offering a healthy
and pleasant exercise. Many of them
aTailed themselves of its beneficial adj
vantages Other changes We're made
which were of added service, and aided
in further satisfactory results, during
their stay at this pleasant seashore re-
sort
If desirable counterpart of the pre-
sent bungalow might be constructed in
convenient location. on the opposite
side Of the main structure. for the oc-
cupation of some eighteen or twenty
more patients. We present this prop
OSition to Your Board, in as much as
the dining room and culinary depart
ment is sufficient to accommodate that
additional number. and the chef with
his force is capable of providing food,
without increasing the number en-
ployed in this department. We have
endeavored to divert our patients as
heretofore. in allowing them trolley
rides in large parties. and individuals
patients are frequently accorded the
same privilege. means being furnished
out of our funds set
apart for that purpose when required. |
The privileges have been greatly en- |
HANGED by the extension of the electric |
road to NVatervile. The opportunities |
that the theatres afford in matinees is |
much enjoyed. and we have been lib
eral in furnishing means from our be-
quests to attend. where we have rea-
son to believe that they are suitable in
Tn, OK Y11npll interference |