Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-09-29

Daily average num-
Der of State Patients ?G,S-S 23.1el 5oosi
Daily average num-
her of private pa
tients ....... ......... 80, 300 4.Si2 1882
Total daily average. o,lG3 27,7c: 57.sG6
sTranscfred to Brattlc-
boro retreat ..........
He comments in part as follows: As
stated in my last report. II will be seen
that the number OF patients is constantly
increasing, and for various reasons will
continue to increase. For the term end
Ing June 80. 1895 tho average number of
patients was 500; for the one ending June
50, 1869. 1t was 52i During this term -
patients We're transferred to the Bratte-
Dor retreat.
In consequence of these removals
the daily average for 1907 was Jll.7i.
The 1851 period showed "A general aver
cgc OF SLIGO During the next term an
Investigation was ordered by the
Legislature, and made, and numerous
changes made near the end Of the term
IN the management. In consequence of
this there was no increase IN the daily
average, being 513 IS for the term ending
June 80, 1896. The term I901-S showed an
average of 550S9. and the term for
which this is report, 57sf6 This
IL an increase Of n 81 per cent in four
years.
The increase should not be taken as
an index of the normal increase of in
sanity in Vermont. but is explained large
ly by the fact that the people are becom-
ing educated to the fact that lunatic
hospitals are being conducted to-day .es
hospitals and not as asylums; for the re-
storation to hath of large per cent.
Of the patients; an anelora ton OF the
condition that must necessarily exist II
the incCrable ones are cared for in their
homes %, in poor houses
Another factor that accounts for n
small per cent OF the increase is the
recent enactment OF the law that en-
abcs the courts to send any criminal.
awaiting trial, to the hospital for OBJ
servatlon regarding his mental condition.
Obviously. some OF these are declared not
insane but help to Increase our numbers.
Still another, Is the fact that within the
past five years many cases have been
sent here from the various penal and re-
tormatory institutions in the State. for
medical OF surgical treatment for various
ailments
three years has been run practically all
OF the time az It's full capacity, having
several times come within three or four
Of coo patients. and IT Is obvious that
unless our capacity is Increased. frequent
transfer, will have TO be mada 70 the
retreat Al Brattloboro
DEATH RATE HIGHER.
While the percentage of deaths the
past term has been somewhat higher
Than the previous term it has very little
hynihcancn as the average i/,e at death
Is the proper standpoint from which to
draw conclusions, It will be noted that
twenty patients were past seventy-fve
years OF age when admitted three being
past NINETY and one ninety-six the aver
nge age nj death being nearly 90 years.
as stated in our last report. q some
what radical change in the care OF our
patients vas introduced by the present
administration VIZ 1t must be obvious
10 any thinking person that the province
OF the lunatic hospital Of to-day Is to
restore, II possible. the unfortunate peo-
pie committed TO its care to their normal
condition; 70 care for and protect them
in the most humane manner posi-
BILE; TO protect the public, and
that this shall he accomplished at a
minimum expense consistent with the
best results attaiuable. To accompl,sh
this We have adopted the Outdoor" and
''non-rcstrant' policy.
The general health OF our people has
been good. there having been no
epidemic of any kind. nor cases OF
contagious infectious disease, ex-
cept tuberculosis and they are csrctully