Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-02-19
ARTS AND CRAFTS WORK
AT STATE HOSPITAL IS
ENJOYED BY PATIENTS

The development Of industrial worn
along the lines of arts and crafts al
the State Hospital for the insane
appears in every way to please The
patients. Handiwork along more de-
tailed and artistic lines has not been
long established although the policy
of employing as many patients as
possible in the departments and on
the grounds Of the institution has
been Systematically promoted tor
some years.
This method Of employing the pa
tients has proved successful and the
interest it has aroused among bo.i,
patients and employees is gratifying.
The economic value to the State &
work done by the inmates is of con-
siderable importance in addition to
the noticeable improvement in the
condition Of the patients. 1t vas
deemed advisable to enter upon this
work in a conservative manner and
to aid various lines of new work as
development progressed.
Mrs. Alice Chadwick of Whitefleld
is in direct charge of the arts and
- y
connected with a similar institution
in Taunton, Mass. and had an oppor-
tunity to acpuaint herself with many
phases of this industrial work.
A large number of towels, pillow
slips. doilies and shawls have been
turned out by the patients. some of
them showing remarkable needle
work and crochet and fiiet work. 4
number Of hats for children have
carpets and rugs on small hand
looms. Braided rugs are favorite
work by the patients and they ap-
pear to take great delight in bas-
kerry also and have produced many
articles Of novel design. the patients
in one or two instances originating
their own designs.
There is a system Of compensation
whereby the patients receive a GER
tain percentage OF the money OBJ.
tanned from the sale Of the work, but
no special effort has been made TO
sell the articles as the numerous en-
ployes about the institution are very
glad to purchase them. as are their
friends outside whenever the articles
are obtainable. The supply SO far
has hardly been able to keep up with
the demand. as so many OF the ar
ticles are original in design. so cl.v-
erly wrought and so unlike those that
can be found in stores.
Superintendent Tyson believes the
work is beneficial. He says the TAX
ing up of new ideas means a drop
ping for time at least Of the old
ideas. In other words. new nerve
hbres are set to work. new cells are
brought into activity. new paths Of
are developed and the
patients are lifted out Of a mental
rut. For fear that the work may be-
come monotonous, the form Of handi-
work is frequently changed. AS soon
as the novelty wears away it be-
comes a drudgery. The first lamp.
the first basket. the first shawl brings
big results. The patient feels that
she has accomplished something. But
in order to keep up a sustained in
terest the patients are given other
kinds Of articles to make and differ.
ent patterns to construct.
One Of the surprises that has re.
suited from this work has been
among relatives who have received
articles. They had never
realized before that the patient had
his latent talent, and the relatives
have sent back letters expressing
much wonderment and pleasure. The
ength of time the patients work
aries with their physical condition
md moods. Many weave a few
stitches and quit. then return and
weave few more. taking a long
ime and many hours to complete n
mail amount Of work. Others keep |
at their work for hours |
md these patients are carefully SUI |
'ervised for under no circumstances |
the work allowed to become fo-
iguing.