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PUBLIC DOCUMENT No. 26.

TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE INSPECTORS OF THE STATE ALMSHOUSE AT TEWKSBURY,

For the Year ending September 30, 1876.

BOSTON:
ALBERT J. WRIGHT, STATE PRINTER,
79 Milk Street (corner of Federal).
1877.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

INSPECTORS' REPORT.

To His Excellency the Governor and the Honorable Council.

In compliance with the laws of this Commonwealth, the Inspectors of the State Almshouse at Tewksbury present their Twenty-Third Annual Report.

The reports of the Superintendent and Resident Physician, which accompany this, and are made a part of it, give in detail the statistics relating to the inmates and their condition, and of the expense of the maintenance and management of the Institution, with such particulars in tabulated form as the law requires us to furnish.

It only remains for us to offer such comments and suggestions as may seem of particular importance or interest.

The history of the past year has been on the whole very satisfactory. The average weekly number of inmates has been 74 above that of the year previous. This increase, considering the large number of unemployed, in consequence of the continued stagnation of business, is not surprising; it has, however, at times, crowded the Institution beyond its proper capacity, so that early in the year we notified the Board of State Charities that more were sent here than could be properly cared for, stating that 900 was the maximum number which could be suitably accommodated. On our visits, we have usually found the dormitories too crowded for comfort or health. We therefore approve the suggestion of the Superintendent, that a temporary building be erected to provide for this exigency.

There has been a very gratifying decrease in the percentage of deaths from last year, as appears from the Superintendent's report; this may, as he suggests, result in part from the improved average physical condition of those admitted, they being more largely from the able-bodied. But whatever the cause may be, the fact is one that we are most happy to report.

The great increase in the number of foundlings admitted, and the large mortality that seems inevitable among them, is noticeable; and we are favorably impressed with the recommendation of the Superintendent, that the provisions of the laws be so modified, that these unfortunate infants be sent to an institution having special facilities for their care.

Although the appropriation made by the Legislature for the support of the Institution was less than our estimate of the amount needed, we think that no deficiency will be incurred on the general expense account, as, although the amount of supplies has been as great as we supposed would be required, the decline in prices has largely reduced the cost.

The number of physicians and nurses having been increased, we anticipate that the specific appropriation for salaries will prove insufficient.

The Act of the last Legislature, in regard to the medical supervision of the Almshouse and Asylum for the Insane, having made important changes in the mode of appointing the Resident Physician, his assistants and nurses, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, we nominated to Your Excellency as Physician, Dr. William H. Lathrop, who had previously filled that position by appointment of the Superintendent and Inspectors, since October 1, 1875. We are abundantly satisfied with the manner in which he has discharged all his duties; we consider him, by his character, education, experience, and skill, as well fitted for this important post.

Dr. George E. Putney and Dr. E. Q. Marston were appointed by Dr. Lathrop as his first and second assistants, upon the resignation of Miss Helen M. Marsh, M. D. We believe that his commendation of them is fully deserved, and we desire here to cordially express our appreciation of the valuable services which Miss Marsh, M. D., rendered to this Institution while she was connected with it as assistant physician.

There has been no change or improvement in the buildings to be noted, except the division of a part of the first and second floors of the Asylum for the Insane into single rooms; this is fully described in the accompanying reports, and we believe that it will prove advantageous and convenient in the management of the insane.

We concur with the opinions expressed by the Superintendent, as to the importance of more barn room; we believe that his reasoning on this point is sound, and we trust that the coming Legislature will make the appropriation needed for this purpose. We should also, perhaps, mention that a small wooden building, situated some distance from the main buildings, and used as a pump-house, was destroyed by fire on the 30th of September; the pump was also somewhat damaged. We are now rebuilding with brick. The entire expense of this building and repair will amount to about $1,000.

The floor in the basement of a portion of the Asylum for the Insane, having become much worn, is being replaced with brick, at an expense of about $300.