Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-11-19
MAKE
STATE HOSPITAL
MODEL OF ITS KIND
Work on Male Wing Is
Practically Completed
H Harlow Building
Soon to Be Ready for
Occupancy

male wings or the augusta state NOS
pital. which, save for a few finishing
touches are now completed, and the
~renovating and partial reconstruction
of the interior of the Harlow building,
the upper portion of which was de-
stroycd by fire March %. Of the cur
rent year, have not only served TO
substantially increase the capacity of
this oVer-crowded institution, but
have also provided facilities which
bring it to a much higher standard or
efficiency and make it the best equipped
hospital in the State of Maine. The
Harlow building. in design, construr-
ton, and equipment, when completed
will. it is said, he uneXCclled by any
in tho United States. All the altcra-
tons were carried out in strict accord
with suggestions by the s~uperintend-
cnt, DIR. Forrest c. Tyson, who per
sonally designed and drew the plans
for the building. William &. Bunke"
is the architect who designed the wing
rcnoVations.
in two ways the increase in capacity
has been effected. Unnecessarily wide
corridors rave been narrowed and
greater dormitory space thus obtained.
Several partitions dividing individual
bed rooms have been taken down and
the space utilized for two-bed rooms
or for wards. BY this latter means much
more bed space to a given area is OBJ
tanned.
BY narrowing the corridors in the
rear portion of the second wing from
Il feet to eight. il was found possible
to increase the width of the rooms on
each side, which in one case was II
feet and in the other l. to IA feet. 4
normal capacity of &c patients is by
this means increased to a capacity of
Ill. In tho third wing a normal capac,
ity of "a is increased to s. by the mar
rowing Of 50 feet of corridor in the
middle portion of this wing from -
feet to eight. AS the patients now re-
ceiNe their meals at the dining rooms
in the third wing, the three rooms for
merly used as dining rooms in the first
male wing have been converted into
bed rooms. Each accommodates J.
1,eds and the capacity of the first
wing is 90 instead Of SO. In the Harlow
building n g. per cent. gain in capaC-
ity is effected by tho narrowing of the
corridors from - TO eight feet. and by
the re-arrangcment of rooms and dor
mitories.
The artificial lighting throughout the
renovated wings is very abundant but
is pleasantly diffuscd. The semi-indi-
rect system is used and is we'll adapted
to the White walls and ceilings with
their high reflective properties. The
Indirect heating and Ventilating sys-
tenn is used for the most part. but the
lining rooms have direct radiation.
Tp-to-datc metal wardrobe lockers
are taking the place of the old Wooden
draws. These are distributed gcner-
ously throughout the wings and both
from the standpoint Of sanitation and
convenience are distrinct improve
ments.
There are three bath rooms IN the
second winS-One for each ward. Each
is equipped with two sanitary bath
tubs Of special construction. There is
no visible piping and there are no re-
movable parts. In Zach bathroom are
cabinets containing bathrobes and VA
rIous accessories. Across the corridors
from the bathrooms are utility rooms
equipped with metal cabinets contain
irg the ward supplies. The toilet rooms
which arc separated from the bath
rooms by the rooms in which the pipes
are toIttdleO, are VI iotSt SlEf anu luz
Nv equipped. The closets are of wall
hanging type and the five modern la
Natories are so devised that no plugs
or chains are used. In each is a barber
chair.
on each floor Of the second wing, ad-
joining the dining rooms which are in
the third wing, are serving rooms
equipped with q God cabinet, q small
refrigerator and an ingenious sink ar
r~angenent for use in washing dishes in
large quantities. Connecting tho scrv-
ing rooms is d 4X6 passenger and
freight elevator, which accommodates
the special foo cars brought over
from the main kitchen.
The three dining rooms, which are in
the third wing, there being ono on
each floor. normally accommodate 80
persons each but in case of necessity
will seat 100. To provide space for
these now Don there were torn
down cvcra small dingy rooms In
what was known as the traverse sec
ton. which was used as quarters Cor
noisy and violent patients. The dining
rooms are hight, airy and cheerful. The
table tops are Of white anu glass.
which is both attractive and easy 70
clean. The three rooms take the place
of nine smaller ones and much SaVlnS
of food and Of labor is effected there
by. The day rooms are pleasantly sit
uated and are equipped with new fur
niture. Leading from these rooms are
supervisors and attendants quarters
and also rooms occupied by patients.
There is a continuous bath treat
ment room on the second floor Of the
third wing. BY automatic control APP
raratus the water in the two tubs is
set at and maintained at any desired
temperature. Ornamental tiling Of q
dull green color and of a handsome
PATTERN covers the lower portion of
the walls. and the floor is of tile.
On the first foor of the wing, the in
Urinary ward, and directly below the
Controlled-bath room has been installed
a small operating room which meets a
long-felt want. Here there is an op-
Grating table. an instrument cabinet.
washing apparatus and a chair for pa
tents undergoing nose or throat oper-
atoms. In the bath room in this ward
IS an ordinary tub and a tub of special
construction for use in bathing help
SIS and bed-ridden patients. This tub
is very shallow, being but five inches /
in depth, and is supported W feet
above the floor nv legs \ spr3y is used |