Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-09

Branch that these patients whose
condition is serious have been trans
ferred to the Mountain Branch for
treatment where there are proper
facilities for their care and those now
here have been directed to be sent
there and probably will be in the near
future.
20. Twenty-seventh Criticism: NO
arrangement has been made in the
past to provide for periodical visits
by eye specialists. A great many
members need the attention of such a
specialist and such an arrangement
should be made.
| In relation to above I will say that
eye specialists have offered their SER
vices free Of charge, but under the
laws and regulations the Government
cannot accept such services free.
They have been asked to set a price
for their services and they would then
be employed, but up to the present
time no arrangements have been
made.
80. Referring back to the Twenty
sixth Criticism, the portion in relation
to the overcrowded state Of the hos
pital will say that if the hospital is
crowded our Headquarters knows the
fact and if they desire to extend it
they may do so. This is matter
over which we have no control.
81. Twenty-eighth Criticism: Eek
tensive repairs to the floors and wood
work of many Of the toilet rooms in
the hospital are needed to permit them
to be kept in sanitary condition.
If, as before stated. the money I'M
der repairs for 1915 had been expend-
ed instead Of having been turned back
into the Treasury. this work could all
have been completed. With this
years appropriation everything has
been done that was possible.
80. Twenty ninth Criticism For
several years past it has been recon-
mended that a small yard be provided
in which the insane members could
exercise The recommendation is re-
newed that such a yard be provided
A ward has been provided and the
patients are frequently allowed TO ex-
ercise therein.
SO. Thirtieth Criticism: Com
mendable efforts are being made at
! this Branch. to keep down the fly nul-
sance by making frequent inspections
of the various buildings and grounds
The above certainly is commendabie
and is not subject to much criticism.
1t should be classed as improvement
number seven.
"a. Thirty first Criticism: All ac-
tive poisons and habit forming drugs
should be kept under lock and key in
a separate cabinet in the QuartermaS
ter's storeroom.'
The above is a general criticism ar
every one of the ten Branches of the
National Home and should rot be spe-
cially applied to the Eastern Branch.
I would like to call to your atten
ton one of the most important things
at any Home which was not touched
upon by the Inspector, and Tor Sooo
reason, and that is the food supplied
to members. 1t has been ample ana
Of the best quality, well cooked and
served, including in the proper season
fresh fruits as strawberries, blueber
ries. peaches, etc, also cucumbers
watermelons, etc, and we consider
| lIidC one VI lHS illcSt NittAi 'iAAhoH 49,
the satisfaction and comfort of the
members, and l am pleased to say
that Captain Machle, our Commissar@
of Subsistence. has certainly place.
this department in excellent condl-
ton.
wish to tell a few facts which
have occurred which | believe have
been to the Improvement of the H"r.'
which were not referred to by Major
jackson. | found when I came to the
Home thai on pension days the o.c
men were frequently beaten up and
robbed. l have been here a year this
month and four quarterly payments
of pensions have been made in that
time and l have no report of any
person being injured or robbed
since my arrival. | have been in
formed by the Postmaster that more
money orders have been sent ou'
and more postal deposits made il
the last year than ever before III the
records of the office, which should be
considered an Improvement.
Members of the Home have beer
obliged in the past to show card II
passing all the guards. The expert
ment has been tried out to have the
men keep these cards in their care
cases, on their person. but not bs
Obliged to show them to anyone. or
these cards they can go anywhere
from six in the morning until eight al
night. l find the experiment working
splendidly and the men feel that they
are men entitled to the privileges OF
citizens instead Of numbers as they
have felt in the past and l have nc
reason to desire to go back to the ole
method.
There are many other Improvement
which l have made here or feel
.have made which / will not take youl
time to go over but | will say in con
clusion that we have 1880 members
belonging to the Home and l can say
without fear of contradiction that
1900 of that number would consent to
say that they were never more con-
tent or happy than during the last
year which should be considered ar
improvement.
] feel that the management of tn;
journal will give me this privilege
and opportunity to explain the situa
ton and that my communication vii
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