Milford chronicle., 1934-12-21
FEEBLE-MINDED
4PCT. IN STATE
SAYS ALENIST
fCentinned trem Essi Peael

/ lN0Ntth1G0 VoW FRU Fo8el
tinues during the next two years
with the same severity there will
undoubtedly be an increase larger
than we calculated"
DR.. Tarumianz said ON September
10. 1884. the bed capacity was 1888,
while there were actually 9SS pa
tients in the hospital. The number
of patients is expected to be around
100 by 1897.
Pointing out that three-fOufths of
the large building acquired from the
Trustees of the Poor is unoccupied
while the hospital Is SO over-crowd-
ed attendants have to sleep in base
ments. DR.. Tarumianz made an ur-
gent plea for $195.OO0 with which to
install steam heat, sewage. water
and electric systems and another
$4,000 for equipping and furnishing
the building.
He also requested $1SS,50O for
completing the nurses home and
$500 for equipping It.
The "crazy house" stigma which
has been attached to the name
Farnhurst in the public mind has
passed away at last, DR.. Tarumianz
pointed out.
The figures show a sharp increase
in the number of paid patients, re-
vealing in turn that the public is
voluntarily using the hospital for
their relatives and friends rather
than avoiding it. The superstitious
attitude, which is. a carry-over from
unenlightened times, thus is ended.
The public has finally come to
realize, said DR.. Tarumianz, COM
menting on his report, that the
State Hospital is not Just a place
for putting away mental defec-
tives, but that II is fundamentally
a hospital. and as such is a scien-
tific center of the most modern sort.
He praised the family physicians for
their part in helping to end this old
attitude. t
The board received $1O9, 1859 for
paid patients during the biennium.
In the biennium ending in 1918,
only s32,777 had been received and
in 1882 this figure reached S10S,4s7
for the biennium. There has been a
steady increase since 1922.
Out of Legislative appropriation
of $67O,S33.50 and $152.203.24 from
special sources besides s25,049.77
from the Federal Government the
hospital spent $685. 1876 for re-
pairs, requirements, equipment and
permanent improvements. plus the
grant for purposes in
these categories, leaving a balance
of $629.S7S.9s for salaries. wages.
provisions, fuel or general operat-
ing expenses. This was $S,043.53 less
than in the previous two years.
The per capita cost for patients |
was $9.O4 a week, a decline of $40.
There were 1886 X-rays made, in
cluding those that are routine upon |
There were 1873 labor
atory tests. 1858 treatments in the |
physical therapy department, includ-
ing diathermy, ultraviolet light and |
quartz light treatments.
There we're also 1884 hydrotherapy |
and 27 fever" treat
nents. the latter with apparatus in
stalled within the last two years.
More than 5000 dental cases were
handled and the social service de-
Dartment, which Or. Traumianz de-
,lared is now essential to any mod
,rn hospital. handling S.s41 cases.
ut is very unfortunate that the
insane" wrote DR.. Taru-
nianz, have to be housed and car
ID for in the same wards with those
Who have never came into conflict
With the law. Their presence in the
midst of the mentally i'll without
is certainly detriment
rom every viewpoint" II is obvious
Ie added. that there should be a sep
rate building.
The observation clinic. DR.. Taru-
nianz remarked. is saving the State
OF dollars since II is es-
imated that a large percentage OF
hose treated and discharged would
ave become chronic cases at a cost
{ $4,000 each for subsequent care.