Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-05-06
Augusta City Farm
RepOrt State Board

augusta lily rdTm
Report State Board
Following is the report of an in
spection of the Augusta City Farm,
made February 10. 1922, by a repre-
sentative of the State Board of Char
tiles and Corrections:
Superintendent and overseer of
poor Manning S. Campbell. salary
S1346.Oo Cook and matron, Mr.. and
Mrs. ]. G. Cummings, salary per
month, s45 for cook and s1.00 per day
for matron.
Other employees: Two house girls
at S. per week each. Also four out
side men.
improvements since last inspec-
ton: Cellar excavated and new steam
boiler installed. Dining room rebuilt
after floor collapsed. Extensi 'e in
terror painting in light colors. Barn
cellar cemonted and new silo built.
The matron accompanied the in
spector to all parts of the almshouse
and she and the cook furnished in
formation and statistics. The superin-
tendent was absent in the city.
| The almshouse is brick three
story structure, with city water,
steam heat, electric lights, flush clos
cts, baths with running hot water, an
electric washer and wringer, rooms
with from one to three beds, iron bed
stead3, spring beds, mattresses, mus
lin sheets and pillow slips, blankets
and white spreads.
| The complete separation of the
sexes is not possible with the build
| ing constructed as it is. The inmates
live on the south side, the five women
inmates on the second floor, the six
teen men on the first, third and attic
floors. Stairways lead from the mems
floors to that occupied by the women.
One of the women inmates who is
an ,pileptic is Inclined to be very
friendly to the men unless watched.
No night watch is employed.
The cleanliness and ventilation are
good. No bed vernin was seen, but
cockroaches are abundant, and sew
eral inmates have head lice, and one
man has body lice in addition. All the
clothing is boiled when washed, and
vermin. Plants are found at many of
the sunny windows and beautify the
rooms. which are light and airy. The
new wall paint is a great improve
ment, and the inmates dining room
with it's new hardwood floor, light
wall paint and four small tables with
chairs, is an attractive room. Twelve
men and one woman were seen at
their dinner in the dining room. The
dinner of clam chowder, crackers,
home made bread and butter and des-
sert was partaken of by the inspector
and found to be good. The cook is a
skilled bread maker. and makes bread
twice a week. His pastries were also
sampled and found to be palatable
The inmates have skim milk, but sick
inmates have whole milk. Until re-
Gently butter has been made at the
almshouse and served three times a
day to the inmates. Now the cream is
sold and oleo is bought Roast duck,
raised on the place, was served for
dinner on Thanksgiving and Christ
mas. Western eggs are bought by the
case. There are eight hogs and ten
small pigs. Five hogs have been
slaughtered so far this season. The
pork raised does not satisfy the needs
Of the almshouse and the hundred
families and individuals who are sup
piled with food by the city. Thirty
head Of cattle are kept and five
horses.
Washings are done by electricity
| "a c1n 40
dried out Of doors. A large wash on
the line showed the quality Of the
bedding and clothing. A number of
new sheets were found in the supply
closet.
The matron is a graduate OF the
Nurses Training School in the Au-
gusta State Hospital, has been en-
ployed there for five years and also
in number Of other institutions out
side the State, so she is we'll versed
in institutional management and
knows what to do with the sick. She
has but one bed patient at the pres
ent time, and no leg ulcers to dress.
Whenever a patient seems to need a
physician the city doctor is called. He
averages to be at the almshouse about
three times a week and when there
makes rounds so that every inmate
who wishes to consult him can do SO.
The medicine closet is kept locked.
There are no hospital accommoda-
tons at the almshouse. Two deaths
have occurred since the matron as
sumed her duties last October. One
woman is epileptic, two of the men
were formerly inmates of State
hospital, three inmates are feeble
minded and two paralytic. One Is al
most blind.
The store room where the city
groceries are stored is a cold room
and the cleanliness Of 1T Is not equal
to that Of the rest Of the almshouse.
The attic is also cluttered with boxes
and broken down furniture, when
would make good finder in case the