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Thirty-Third Annual Report Of The Trustees Of The State Almshouse At Tewksbury

Creator: n/a
Date: 1887
Publisher: Wright & Potter, Boston
Source: State Library of Massachusetts

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THIRTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE STATE ALMSHOUSE AT TEWKSBURY,

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For the Year ending September 30, 1886.

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BOSTON: WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS, 18 Post Office Square.

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1887.

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OFFICERS OF THE STATE ALMSHOUSE.

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TRUSTEES.

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J. WHITE BELCHER, Randolph.
LYMAN A. BELKNAP, Andover.
WEAVER OSBORN, Fall River.
OLIVER R. CLARK, Tewksbury.
WILLIAM T. CAROLIN,M. D, Lowell.
MRS. SARAH D. FISKE, Malden.
MRS. ANNA F. PRESCOTT, Boston.

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RESIDENT OFFICERS

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C. IRVING FISHER, M. D., Superintendent and Resident Physician.
JOHN H. COCKER, Assistant Superintendent.
EBEN C. NORTON, M. D., Assistant Physician.
ELLA M. PATTON, M. D., Assistant Physician.
CHARLES B, MARSH, Clerk.

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TRUSTEES' REPORT.

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To His Excellency the Governor and the Honorable Council.

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The Trustees of the State Almshouse and the State Workhouse herewith present their Thirty-third Annual Report, showing the condition of the State Almshouse at Tewksbury, for the year ending Sept. 30, 1886.

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In November last there were sent to the institution forty-three chronic insane men. They were placed in one of the wards of the male hospital until the building known as the Old Chapel could be put into a proper condition to receive them. This was done as quickly as possible, but we feel the building is not a suitable one for that class of inmates, it being built of wood with nothing to prevent its rapid and entire destruction in case of fire.

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The Board of Health, Lunacy and Charity, in their seventh annual report (p. 90), in speaking of the insane at the State Almshouse, say: --

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"The present arrangement for male patients at Tewksbury is only temporary, and should this class remain there, a fire-proof building should be erected for their accommodation large enough to contain at least one hundred."

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It is the opinion of this board that the male hospital should be thoroughly remodelled. To properly do this would require a much larger outlay than we should be justified in taking from the annual appropriation, and we earnestly recommend that some provision be made for this purpose by the next Legislature.

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It is also necessary that additional land should be purchased for enlarging the cemetery at Tewksbury and an appropriation should be made for that purpose.

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Under chapter 63 of the Resolves of 1886, the Legislature authorized the "erection of hospital buildings at the State Almshouse at Tewksbury" at a "sum not exceeding seventy-five thousand dollars." We are pleased to report work begun upon these buildings and we hope to see them occupied during another summer.

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Since our last Annual Report there has been developed at this institution no new cases of scarlet fever or measles. This is a cause for congratulation, considering the large number of infants and children constantly present and being received in the institution.

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The number of persons supported at the State Almshouse at Tewksbury during the year has been 3,040; the daily average number, 917; total expenses, $93,601.32; appropriation for the year 1886, $94,800.

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The amount received the past year from sales and from other sources, is $1,352.47; the amount collected by Treasurer from cities and towns, $8,267.09. Allowance for these sums reduces the expense of the institution to the State, for the year, to $83,981.76, an annual cost of $91 58, or a weekly average cost of $1.76 per inmate.

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Dr. C. Irving Fisher still performs the duties of Superintendent and Physician, and the Trustees are pleased to publicly acknowledge his faithful and efficient services in both capacities.

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A detailed statement of expenses, with the statistical tables and statement, will be found in the report of the Superintendent.

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Respectfully submitted,

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J. WHITE BELCHER.
WEAVER OSBORN.
WM. T. CAROLIN.
LYMAN A. BELKNAP.
SARAH D. FISKE.
OLIVER R. CLARK.
ANNA F. PRESCOTT,

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Tewksbury, Oct, 13, 1886.

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Superintendent's Report

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Tewksbury, Sept. 30, 1886.
To the Trustees of the State Almshouse and State Workhouse.

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The Thirty-third Annual Report of the State Almshouse is herein presented.

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There have been 2,228 persons admitted during the year, of which 477 were "nominal admissions"; 391 being sent out of the State and 86 to the State Workhouse.

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At the beginning of the year there were 812 inmates, which was the smallest number at one time. There have been 1,751 actual admissions. The number supported the whole or part of the year was 3,040.

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The actual transfers have been -- to the State Workhouse, 67; to the State Primary School at Monson, 27. There have been three men sentenced for absconding.

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Of the number admitted 106 were insane, 50 male and 56 female. These were "transfers" from the various asylums of the State.

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The largest number in the institution at one time was 1,120, on February 15th.

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The daily average has been 917, or 80 less than last year. The cost of maintenance, after deducting amounts received for sales and board of inmates from cities and towns, has been $1.76 per week per capita.

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