Daily Kennebec journal., 1913-11-27
Wednesdays Developments in Insane Hospital
I1veshgahon--A djomnn1entt ITO Friday at I o a.

THAT depends on the condition of the
patient"
| DR.. Sturgis admitted that it might ele-
vate temperature. bringing on sort OF
fever "a
do you regard hot packs as a treat
ment or restraint"
well. / regard them. if the patient is
violent, as a method to keep them from
being violent.
"In that way it is restraint
Il think they are.
Atty. Williamson cross-eXamined.
rs il a matter of common knowledge
that many tragedies occur in institu-
tions of this nature"
Yes, sir.
you have one attendant for every Il
patients?''
I'm not sure
Approximately?
Witness didn't know but understood so.
1T is impossible to have an attendant
for every patient isn't it. continued At
torney Williamson.
Il don't know; | suppose it is
Did Thayer commit suciae or was he
trying to escape?"
DO you know whether Mrs. Fox, after
this matter was brought up was dis
charged? asked Attorney Williamson
Il don't know about that.
Dr. tsturgis denied that Mrs. Fox sat
on patient as Pullen testified previous
ly, and that he should not allow it.
Dr. Sturgis. denied Pullen's charges, of
neglect, as testified. and that he did ais
best with Bryant, whose leg was broken
WAS everything done for Mr. Bryant
that could be done?" asked Mr.. Will
hanson
II think he was Just as comfortable
as could be-.
DR.. sturgis informed the Council that
Mr.. Bryant was .76 years old
DR.. Sturgis said that Dr. Miller sug-
gested that in the Garnet case. the
chloride of lime might be left out of the
report.
Witness said DR.. Miller said to him
that, he QDr. Millerl didn't think DR.
Sturgis' attitude was right toward the
management and that the trustees might
consider it,
You have criticized the use Of wet
packs?" asked Attorney Wilson.
Possibly | have done so
Fred w. Penn.
Fred w. Penn, of Augusta. a former
attendant, testified that he left before |
Daniel Barter. Said he assisted in Civ
ing hot packs II Barter
Were they hot or warm? ."
We'll they We're so hot you couldn't !
bear your hand on them.
Witness stated that no physicians were
present.
How long were those packs left on
Barter"
Two or three hours
How often did they give the treat
mont?"
That depends on the condition of the
patient
Witness said that Dr. Hall, even after
finding that blisters had been made on
Mr. Barter, had ordered continuation
of the packs
Up TO the time these packs were be-
gun he was violent and strong wasn't
he?"
The witness replied that he was very
strong. and did lots of damage, and in
structions were given to use the indie
structibe blanket
Witness said between this strong period
and the time he was taken to the sick
ward. about a week passed Witness
stated he gave patient continuous bath,
by Dr. Millers orders. 4f
so that DR.. Millers attention was
drawn to this patient before hot packs
We're begun
Yes, Sir.
On cross-examination, Attorney Will
Hanson showed by records that Barter
was noisy and violent for about two
weeks before he was. taken to the sick
ward Mr. Williamson attempted to
bring forth from witness that he believed
Barter died from effects of hot packs.
Mrs. Firth.
Mrs. w. F. Firth testified she had a
daughter in the institution, a girl of fine
taste and habits Witness said she
bought clothing for her daughter, but
upon visiting could find none of the
clothes she gave to the young woman.
Was there more than one occasion.
asked Judge Cleaves.
Il cant say" replied the witness.
Mrs. Firth said she complained to DR.
Vosberg. at one time. when she discov-
cred her daughter, with eyes black, and
nose black. DR.. Vosberg came up. and
said he didn't know about it, and that
no explanation or investigation had been
made.
ION any of your visits to the hospitals /
have you ever seen any signs of violence
on any other patient, asked Judge
Cleaves.
Yes. Sir" said the witness.
Attorney Williamson asked if patient
hadn't made the bruises and if her
daughter told her so in the presence of
DR.. Vosberg. She denied that her daugh- |
ter said she had been hit with a shoe
in the hands of a patient, but admitted
that such might be the case.
Here the hearing was adjourned until
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