Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-29
COMMUNICATION
FOR THE AUGUSTA
STATE HOSPITAL
Given in the Report Of
State Board Of Char
tiles and Correction
Inspection

Careful Attention and Skillful
Treatment. of Patients
General and Constant I'm.
provement in the Conditions
More Physicians an Ur'
gent Necessity.
The following is the report in full
of the State Board of Charities and
Correction of Its last inspection OF
the Augusta State hospital. made on
Dec. last. The inspection was made
by Nj. P. Milliken, q member, and
James F. Bagley, secretary OF the
board. The visiting officers were ac-
companied on their inspection of the
buildings and information was fur
nished by Trustee Charles B. Paine
and Superintendent F. C. Tyson. The
report:
The management Of this hospital is
vested in a board of seven trustees,
appointed by the Governor with the
advice and consent of the COUNCIL
and consisting at the present time OF
Howard l.. Keyser Of Greene (Presl-
dent); Albert J. Stearns, Norway;
Charles w. Clifford, Bath; Charles B.
Paine, Augusta; Charles q. smith,
Newport; j. E. Stevens. Rockland;
and Mrs. Arthur F. PARROT, Augusta.
The superintendent and executive Of
fcer in charge is DR.. f. c. Tyson.
The major portion OF that part of
the hospital devoted to the care OF the
patients was gone over with consld-
cradle care. The kitchens and dining
rooms were also visited.
The patients rooms and all of their
equipment We're clean and we'll kept,
in good order, well ventilated. warm
and comfortable and free from any
institution odor. The toilet rooms in
particular were free from disagree
able odoSs and it was evident that
this was due not to the use OF deo-
dorizers or disinfectants, but to strict
cleanliness.
1t Yves evident to the inspecting Of
ficers that all of the patients are re-
ceiving good treatment. standards OF
care undoubtedly high and systematic
discipline seems to be enforced
among the employees. This hospital
has now been inspected from time to
time by a representative of this board
during a period of eight years. AS
one of the inspecting officers making
this inspection was the same one who
made the first visit after the State
Board of Charities and Corrections
was created there has been an excel
lent opportunity to observe the con-
slant improvement which has taken
place ct this institution. not only in
the change in construction and equip
ment of the buildings to keep in pace
with the most approved modern
methods, but in a considerable higher
standard of care given to the pa
tents. 1t is evident that during all
this time the hospital has been under
the management Of an interested and
conscientious board Of Trustees with
a skillful superintendent ard compe-
tent staff Of empioyces-doubtl
none more so than at the present
time.
The new wing which has been con-
structcd and recently opened has fur
n;shcd accommodation fer 102 addi-
tional beds. This wing which is used
for women patients is undoubtedly n
model which might well be followed
by similar institutions elsewhere.
Generally spt aking, throughout the
building effort appears to have been
nv to secure durable and suitable
construction ard equipment with no
unnecessary frills or extravaganza.
The arrangement Of the interior of
this wing is in marked contrast to the
style of architecture in vogue in hos
pitfalls for the insane in earlier years,
where buildings were erected with Il
corridor down the center, day rooms
at the end and patients rooms open
ing off each side of the corridor and
where later when the open ward was
beginning to be used instead of in
dividual rooms the beds were placed
against the walls with an open space
In the center. In the new building
each floor constitutes ward which
wards by placing row Of steel lock-
ers for the patients Individual cloth
ing down the center of the ward with
the heads of the beds placed against
the lockers and the doors opening be-
tween the beds. This leaves the space
which is occupied by the patients
when not in bed outside near the win
dows and the sunlight. Under this
arrangement, for which credit must
tients are given much more day
space. There is better flow of sun
light and air through the rooms with
better ventilation at night and with
out drafts of air falling directly upon
the heads of the sleeping patients.
The reEovations of the old struc-
ture are going on from time to time
as funds are available. Wherever it
is practical center corridors are being
narrowed. two or three individual
side rooms are being thrown into
one. making smaller wards. two or
three dining rooms are being changed
into one larger room. Easier stair
ways are being constructed and mod
ern plumbing installed.
These changes are going forward
constantly little at a time, the
money many times coming from saw
ings from the maintenance funds so
that the expense in any one year fo;'
renovation has not been unduly larg"
and yet the changes which have been
accomplished over a period of years
date and unsatisfactory plumbing has
been replaced but there is still one
pavilion which needs attention. In