Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-04-06

SUN MOhuul Afternoon AiN 'N"N'A.c
did not attract unusual attention. 1t
was the opinion freely expressed that
the committee had done its duty care
fully, and its findings, on the whole,
were more favorable to the Retreat
than had been expected.
The committee took 1920 typewriter
pages of evidence, examined 10 wit
nesses and the cost to the state was
approximately $500.
1t is rumored in the corridors of the
state house that a bill has been pre-
pared providing for the removal of the
state patients at the Brattleboro Re-
treat and placing them at the state hos
pital at Waterbury. This measure would
also place larger funds at the disposal
of the Waterbury institution.
The findings of the committee are in
brief as follows:-
That the dining rooms of the institu-
ton are poorly ventilated;
That the fire escapes arc inadequate;
That the attendants have been insult
fcient in number and not given proper
supervision;
That patients have been ill-treated,
but without the knowledge of those in
charge of the institution;
That institutions like the Retreat
should not settle threatened lawsuits
unless fully satisfied of such misconduct
on the part of employees as may be ac-
tionable, and then only with fullest
publicity;
That it is a mistaken policy for the
Retreat to attempt to care for certain
forms Of insanity without proper facili-
ties
That at least two assistant physicians
should be employed;
That the state should pay more for
the support of state patients and have
an official voice in the policy and man
agement of the institution;
That of the eight specific charges
made by Mrs. Hattie Guilford all save
one are unsupported by evidence, and
in the case of that one (relativc to
fractured jaw there was no evidence
to show that the injury was sustained
at the Retreat.
To the Honorable Senate and House of
Representatives,
The special joint committee appointed
to visit the Brattlcboro Retreat at
Brattleboro, to take into consideration,
investigate, and report upon the man.
agement of said institution and the care
and treatment of persons who have
been or are now confined therein, and
as to the honest and faithful perform
ance of all the duties Of the officers
thereof, reports as follows:
The committee are disposed, by way
Of preface, to offer the briefest possible
outline of the foundation of the Re
treat.
A Bit Of History.
In 1884 a $4,000 bequest created
trust for the purpose of providing a
suitable place for the proper care and
treatment of insane persons, and thus
was founded Brattleboro Retreat. The
trust provided for self-perpetuating
board of four trustees. In the same
year the trust or trustees were mcor
porated by an act of the general assem-
bly of the state of Vermont and the
act of incorporation was made subject
to amendment by any future legisla-
turc $50 far as to provide for the more
perfect and effectual accomplishment
of the objects of this act.
From this small beginning the Re-
treat has grown to its present large pro-
portions, consisting of some $500 acres
of land and numerous expensive build
ings, including the so.called Retreat,
Lawton Hall and Linden Lodge. At
different periods between 1884 and 1912
the state has contributed to the re.
pairs and improvements of the build
ings, all told, the sum of $37, 900 and
has an equitable lien on the property
for the return of this sum, contingent
upon the event that the Retreat should
cease to be a charitable institution
The growth and development of the Re
treat is, therefore, the result of private
bcnefactions and great ability and fore
sight in management.
Your committee upon being appointed
Immediately proceeded to Brattleborc
and made careful inspection of the
buildings of the Retreat; the condition
of the rooms; the kitchen and dining
room arrangement, laundry, heating and
ventilating systems, fire escapes anC
ton of the patients as to being CLOTHED
fire protection equipment; the condi
and the facilities for proper treatment
and care of the patients and the guam
tity and quality of the food
Our inspection of the rooms on the
eighteen wards included each room il
each ward. On the whole we find these
rooms clean. The mattresses of thu
Deus on tho whole are poor. The bed
ding, except upon the back halls, where
the more disturbed class Of patients
are kept, was clean. Each ward Is sup
piled with proper toilet and bath ar
engagements with sanitary plumbing.
The recently installed heating ant
vcntilating system we consider cntircl,
adequate and satisfactory.
Food Good and Sufficient.
Our examination Of the kitchen, bak
cry, cold storage and food supplies OF
hand, together with invoices Of supple
bought by the institution and all cyl
dcncc introduced upon this subjec
show the food purchased to be of goo
quality and sufficient in quantity.
The food is well cooked considerin
the quantity necessarily consumed an
the same is served in as good conditio
as can be expected with the presen
facilities, construction of the building
and the distance Of the ward dinin
rooms from the kitchen, which dinin
room and kitchen arrangements in til
opinion of your committee, make it in
possible to satisfactorily serve the foo