Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-11-14

dry chemical extinguishers; heating by
hot air and hot water; lighting by cleo
tricity; drainage, inch tile drain to
river. Inmates quarters, kitchen (used
also by superintendent, dining room,
p dormitories and sitting room; num-
Der of beds. 10; largest number in any
one room, /; toilet facilities for the
inmates, bath tubs, = lavatories,
fl sh closets baths and lavatories sup
piled with hot water all the time.
The almshouse is not used as a house
of correction. Tramps not fed or lodged
unless committed by overSeers. At
present a sick tramp is an inmate.
Cleanliness, good: repair. need paint
! ing and papering. roof leaks some, cell
lar wet, needs cement bottom. Furni-
ture, adequate; beds and bedding: beds
changed every Saturday and mattresses
turned Women inmates have two
sheets. men one. not for lack of bed
ding but because "it has always been
so" Sanitation: good except for bed
I vcrmin which breed in cracks in walls
! The laundry work is done in 3 set tubs
| III basement. Care of food supplies;
! the pantries are adequate. Cooked food
closet has a lock, but was found I'M
! locked
! Facilities for the care of sick or sep
arate care of infectious diseases: none.
I In SO large an almShouse hospital ia
cilities are needed. Three male in
mates are i'll, viz. l shock. internal
and external injury from ac-
,c.dcnt before commitment. tramp;
/ softening Of brain. Three
~
! convalescing from appendicitis.
i orc chronic appendicitis with
diseased ovary The latter is sex of
fender aged %, mother of four lille
Ultimate children. She needs an oper
alton which cannot be performed atsthe
almshouse for lack of proper facilities.
: The men cannot work much, but one
was seen churning. Two women work.
/ one is Il soldiers wife who washes
clothes Monday and the kitchen floor
/ Friday. but otherwise goes to work and
earns money.
No improvements since the previous
1 inspection.
No record of inmates kept. Super
iutcndent cannot read or write. In
mates present, adults. males under 60,
i :: over so. 1; females under 90, .; over
90, ); total 8. Temporary inmates. /
SEX tramp | insane; 4 crippled; | deaf
mute; sick in bed: not sick in bed
but requiring moro or less assistance,
one.
I The almShouSe provided not at all for
the separation of the sexes. Only mon
sleep ON the third floor only women on
the first. but the second is shared by
both sexes who use the toilet facilities
IN common. use Il common stair case
dining room with separate tables and
= common sitting room Evenings they
lSit out together on the front piazza
An inmate who went out the morning
of the inspection had to be watched
constantly, for he would go to the
W"mcn's rooms at night if opportunity
offered. The keeper locked certain
doors at night and carried the key The
physician suggests that second story
piazza be built for the women'S use.
and the second story could perhaps be
reserved for them, there being seven
women inmates and II second story
rooms. In that case an iron stair fire
escape should lead from the third story
to tho ground and the able bodied mon
could use it. The house is not we'll
adapted to the separation of the sexes.
and scandal may occur for some of
the women and some Of the men arc
untrustworthy.