Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-12-28
INSANE HOSPITAL,
Graduation and Reception,
Nurses Training School.
Exercises in Coburn Hall--Many
Guests We're Present.
Pres. Frederic Robe Of Trustees
Awards the Diplomas.

IN important event i'll the annals OF
the treatment of the insane at the
Maine State hospital took place at thai
institution Tuesday evening, when
seven young women having COM
pleted the course required by the
Training school established Two years
ago. We're formally graduated and re-
ccived their diplomas from EX-Gov.
RObic, president Of the board d truS-
tees.
Coburn hail was we'll filled with
friends Of the institution as we'll as OF
tl@ graduating class, when after Sc
l"c tions by the orchestra, Dr.. Henry
~ Miller ouencu the exercises with
q brief explanation Of the change Of
attitude. which has taken place With
in the last decade, on the part of both
hysician and So-callel attendant to-
ward the insane.
Whereas formerly, 4 careful super
vision over the cleanliness and physical
health Of tie patient was all that wtH'
expected from tn" physicians and as
gentle care as was consistent with
trnnpSs vas all that was required OF
the attendant. at the present tlll",
insanity is recognized as Il nlalady
subject to as painStakinS q diagnosis
and as delicate q treatment as tho
ulrst critical physical ailment. and
the patients are carefully classified
and individual treatment given with
gratifying results in many cases. In
all this the physicians must have the
co-Operation OF those upon whom H."
depends to carry out his ordcrs-thcy
must be trained tn understand ana
to slppIcm, mt his: methods OF treat
mont. 70 this end training schools
frr nurses have been established in
every modern hospital for the insane
in this country. Such school vas
started at tia Eastern Maine Insane
hospital at its opening.
Pres. Ro,,ic, otter Il brief account
81 The opening of tn, school. during
which he paid Il warm tribute to the
rate Dr. EgcloW i. Sanborn, pre-"
sento,i tie diplomas as follows:
1t becomes my pleasant duty, as
president Of the trustees OF the Maine
Insane hospital at Augusta, to present
to the seven graduates, Bessie Lillian
Boyer. Sarah r. Fcrran, Ncnita IentZ
Fox, Virginia NJ. Gaudet, Myria ii. Nc
Fee. Annie Laurie Rice. Mary Beatrice
LTabcr, who have completed two years
study in this institution, a diploma
which confcrs upon. each the honor OF
being worthy Of selection as quail
fled nurse by any hospital in this Coun-
try or by any individual who desires
an educated and competent service.
These graduates of the nurses de-
partment Of this institution have ac-
quircd personal knowledge and OK
pcricncc BY daily observation Of Varl-
Gus conditions and changes produced
by time and professional treatment in
n large number of insane patients, who
have congrcGatcd within these walls
suffering from various FORMS of mental
diseases With this affection have been
associated other complaints involving
Psychology, the Science Of Mind;
! Biology the Science of Life. and Physi-
ology. the Science of Living Beings.
| They have had an opportunity to study
carefully the remedies employed and
the results of the medical and mental
treatment of many insane patients. I'M
| der the direction and charge of COM
petent and skilful physicians.
The work and watchful care OF
nurses belongs to them and plays an
! important part in supplementing the
| conditions which follow medical treat
mcnt. The experience Of two years
has afforded them an opportunity to
observe what can be done for the bene-
fit of those mentally unfortunate and
suffering likewise from bodily disease;
and we are assured by the superin-
tcndent and physicians of the hospital
t1of s,14
have done their duty satisfactorily and
well.
Many valuable books on insanity
are found in the Insane hospitals in
this country. These contain the re-
suits of years of thorough study of
cerebral topography and Of continuous
and careful investigation of the vari-
Gus causes of insanity and its meliora-
tive treatment. They afford Il wide
field for examination and study by
nurses and all other persons connected
! with the administration OF the affairs
of our insane hospitals: and it is n
matter of great satisfaction, that no
other departments Of the Science Of
Properties and Functions of Living Be-
ln2S, nave made greater progress dur
ing the past lew years. than that which
cnllSts the efficiency of physicians ana
nurses laborng for the mental well
fare and happiness of the insane of
1911.
While We congratulate the present
graduates of the nurses department of
the Maine State Insane hospital on the
great interest shown and the careful
medical teaching given by Dr. Henry w.
Miller, the superintendent, and his dis
tinSuished assistant physicians. We
should not leave unmentioned the valu-
able instruction administered to the
nurses by the late lan.entef and beloved
DR.. Bigelow T. Sanborn. during the latter
years of his meritorious labors in the
several departments of the hospital SER