The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-01-22
System at Retreat Radically
Wrong, Says Report
to Governor
SANITARY FEATURES
SUFFER BY CONTRAST
Kitchen Clean and Food Wholesome
Heating Plant in Good Condition =
Arrangements Made for Modern and
Adequate Ventilating System.

That the system of ventilation at the
Rratrleboro Retreat is radically wrong
ami always has been and ought to be
condemned and that there are bad sani-
tary conditions are set forth plainly in
q report to Governor Allen NJ. Fletcher
of Cavendish by rhe state board of
health, whose report includes a report
10 the board by its sanitary engineer.
j. w. Votey of Burlington. It is
stated in the report, however, that the
superintendent. DR.. s. +. Lawton, in
formed the board that arrangements
already were in progress for modern
and adequate heating and ventilating
system Some criticism is made also
of the apparently neglected condition
Of the dining rooms in the wards of
the untidY patients, and an abandon
mfent of all basement wards is recon-
mensed. A comparison is made be
tween the sanitary features of the old
er buildings and the new building, not
yet occupied, which is considered 10 be
model of its kind Aside from these
important features the report is of a
| generally complimentary nature.
Ordered by Governor.
Following an order from Governor
! Fletcher the state board of health
| with the exception of DR. Henry D.
/ Holton, who was excused because he
was a resident member Of the board
and long on friendly terms with the
Retreat, came to Brattleboro Dee. %,
1913. to make an inspection Of the
sanitary condition at the Retreat.
] Hhete several. hundred insane patients
are confined some supported at the ex-
ipense Of the state and others supported
privately. The members, Dr. c. :.
i Caverly Of Rutland and DIR. f. T. Kid
der of Woodstock, were accompanied
by their secretary, DR.. G. +. Dalton of
Burlington. and the sanitary engineer
Dr. Lawton and assistants accompanied
thcm through the institution, the engi-
ueer making an examination Of the
heating, ventilation and plumbing
while the remaining members gave at
te'tion to the general sanitation, food
etc.
Kitchen Clean and Sanitary.
Secretary Dalton 5 report SAYS: :"
thorough inspection of the kitchen
where TODD was heing prepared, showed
, it to be in a eleanly and sanitary con
. ditiou. Most of the work in this de
partment is done by paid employees, un
der the supervision Of chef who has
been an officer OF the Retreat for a
number Of years, but, occasionally
some OF the inmates who. desire &
work are given a part in the prepara
, tion and serving of food. The food
: which at that time was being prepared
for the noonday meal. aud also for tn,
Christmas dinner. was fresh and whole
some and the methods and machinery
used in the kitchen were, for the mos
part, modern and the work done in
cleanly manner.
The main building of the institu
fion is a structure of many year
standing. consisting of an administra
tion building with wings occupied b,
wards or halls for men and women
! and additions used by the engineer
: department and storage purposes. Ad
= ditions have evidently been made Of
the various parts of this building fron
time 70 time, but age and wear ar
I, apparent in nearly every part.
e Air Close and Heavy.
q Particular attention was given T
the housing of the inmates. The base
ments under the wards are mostly use
for storage purposes. groceries, vegt
Q tables and various articles being KEEP
there, as well as meat, which is store
in refrigerators. On this level are ais
G the drain. gas. water and steam pipe;
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