The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-01-17
Relates Facts Concerning The
Administration That Are
Unusually Interesting

Doctor Hosea W. McAdbo, superin-
tendent of Maryland's Hospital for
the Insane at Sykesville, was the
guest speaker at the Friday evening
luncheon of the Oakland Rotary Club
where he laid before the members of
the organization a history in brief
of the institution, it's cost of admins
tration and expressed hope that a
broader and more comprehensive pro-
gram would be adopted in the future.
DR.. McAdoo, among other things
said that the cost of operation for the
year was upward of million dollars
and that the investment in real es-
tate and buildings, their equipment,
ETC., totalled approximately three mil
lion dollars; that the patients were
fed at cost of little more than
thirteen cents day; that the number
of Garrett countians in the institution
was sixty-seven and that the total
population of the asylum was upwards
of 1890 men and women. The dis
charged patients during the past two
or three years about equal the num-
Der received each twelve months.
The speaker related facts concern
ing the administration of the institu-
ton that were interesting and en-
Tightening to his audience and stated
that in some cases patients who were
discharged never returned for further
treatment while in other instances
some were out three. five, ten or
twelve years and We're then returned
on account of their lapse into their
former state.
An interesting story of the institu-
ton and DR.. McAdoo's work among
the patients is contained in the Sun
day Sun of January 9th. which is re-
produced here in connection with the
recent visit of DR.. McAdoo:
One of the perennial problems of
those who direct large institutions
for the insane is the discovery of
ways and means for keeping patients
busy-or interested. Mental or physi-
cal idleness, psychiatrists are con-
WINGED, preys more heavily upon dis
eased minds than upon well ones. Yet
in the large institution it is extreme
1y difficult to find jobs or interests for
everyone.
At the Springfield State Hospital, a
good many patients are kept busy on
the farm, in the power house or laun-
dry, or in miniature factory" where
clothing and bedding are made, shoes
repaired and brooms and other artl-
cles manufactured for use by the in
stitution. Those who cannot do heavy
work are assigned to lighter tasks
about the dining rooms or dormitories
and still others spend their time with
needlework, weaving and similar
crafts. In spite of all these outlets, &C
cording to DR.. Hosea w. McAdoo, SUI
purintendent, many other desirable
and beneficial forms Of "occupational
therapy" could be introduced at
Springfield if the necessary money
were available.
A Unique Idea
One of the most important of these,
DIR. McAdoo believes, is the organiza-
ton of musical groups among the
patients. 1t is an idea which, he says
has never been developed fully in an
institution of the type of Springfield,
but he is confident that it is sound
one, nevertheless. He places no en-
phasis upon the supposed beneficial
effects of music itself upon the minds
of the insane; instead he asserts that
the virtue of the scheme will be two
fold. First, it will provide an occupa-
ton, an interest for those who have
talents or inclinations for music. Sec
ond, patients who are not members
of them usical groups will benefit
through the entertainment and recre-
alton afforded by concerts and reel
tails.
No money is provided in Spring
fields budget for an experiment of
this sort, but DR.. McAdoo recently has
worked out plan for getting it under
way, on a small scale, without the ex
penditure of any State funds. The
plan centers about young Baltimore
an who DESTROYS of pursuing his mus
ical studies, and needing to make a
living at the same time. has taken a
position as attendant at the institu-
ton. In connection with his regular
work this young man, who is an &C
complished violinist and who is famil-
lar with other instruments as well,
will literally double in brass" The
first step in the scheme to introduce
music at Springfield will be the or
ganization of brass band.
A Long Process
If music does have power to soothe
and to heal, Dr. McAdoo admits that
it may not be apparent in bhe first eff
forts of this brass band. Undoubtedly
there will be long period of practice