Library Collections: Document: Full Text

Statement No. 6 in the statistical tables will give an idea of the occupation of female inmates, both sane and insane. About 15 of the insane men have been able to do work outside of the asylum. There have been fewer available male paupers for farm work than for many years.

Hospitals.

The hospitals have received 1,383 patients, representing 158 different diseases. Of the number treated 1,270 were different persons, 59 were from the insane departments. The "out-patient" department has answered 6,408 calls from men and 2,077 from women; beside these, many trivial ailments have been treated on the daily visits in the insane asylum.

The number of deaths has been 143, which is 75 less than last year and 3 1/ per cent, less in proportion to the number treated. Of this number (143) 16 were insane; 14 females, 2 males. The causes of death represent 42 different diseases. There have been two cases of scarlet fever, the end of the epidemic of last year; no other contagious diseases have occurred. Seven cases of typhoid fever have been received from outside, none having developed in the institution.

Maternity. -- There has been a marked decrease in the number of births this year as compared with last. There have been 95 confinements, or 35 less than last year. More than 64 per cent, were illegitimate; 42 mothers were born in Ireland, 23 in the United States and 22 in the British Provinces. There have been three cases of eclampsia, with one death. There are remaining in all the hospitals at the end of the year 179 patients.

I desire here to express my appreciation of the services rendered by the assistant physicians. Dr. E. C. Norton has been here a little less and Dr. Ella M. Patton a little more than a year. Both, efficient in their work, are devoted to their profession and the interests of the institution.

New Hospitals.

Anticipation seems at last to have the promise of realization. The closing days of the last Legislature saw an appropriation passed for the erection of new hospitals. Plans and specifications were prepared as early as possible. There have been some unexpected delays, but the work is progressing favorably and we hope to occupy our new hospitals during another season. The plans contemplate two rectangular brick buildings, 108x36 feet, two stories high, with a capacity of 100 beds, to be occupied by female patients.

Male Hospital.

This building has always been considered the quintessence of all that was bad in hospital construction. Its large wards, poor ventilation, direct radiation heating coils, are the noticeable defects, next to the greater one of insufficient floor space; beds now average only a little over two feet space between. We need not only more room for patients, but also more administration room. All of these could be gained by making it a two-story building, which could be done by a reasonable outlay.

Insane Asylum.

The number of female patients has not materially changed during the year. There have been 62 admissions, 56 from other asylums and 6 transferred from the almshouse department. These have practically taken the places made vacant by discharges or deaths.

On the 27th of November, almost without notice, the Board of Health, Lunacy and Charity, transferred to us from other institutions, 43 insane men. These were temporarily provided for in the short ward of the male hospital, after scattering the convalescent and chronic patients to other parts of the institution. We immediately proceeded to make such changes in the old chapel building as were necessary to make it possible to occupy it as a male asylum, and during the latter part of December entered it as such. It has a capacity of 51 beds, which have been constantly occupied. Three attendants have been employed and a fourth will be needed during the winter.

We have at the end of the year 376 insane patients, 61 males and 315 females.

They have had their usual occupations and amusements. Two entertainments were furnished during: the winter by the officers of the institution, for whose hearty co-operation in all things pertaining to the interests of the institution, this expression of appreciation is due.

Improvements and Changes.

At the close of last year the high-service water supply had but three hydrants in the yard. Early in the spring the pipes were extended about the yard and to the front of the house, and eight hydrants were added in desirable locations.

The steam-heating appliances of the main building, male hospital and male asylum have been improved by the addition of "Albany traps," so that the condensation is returned to the boilers instead of going to waste. This is an economy in both fuel and water and has increased the heating power. A new engine has been purchased for the laundry, and a new room annexed to the boiler house gives it a position more advantageous and freer from dust than that occupied by the old engine.

Commodious coal-sheds have been built at the main and laundry boiler houses, and another is designed for the pumping station.