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

For the Year ending September 30, 1886.

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

1887.

OFFICERS OF THE STATE ALMSHOUSE.

TRUSTEES.

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.

RESIDENT OFFICERS

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.

TRUSTEES' REPORT.

To His Excellency the Governor and the Honorable Council.

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.

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.

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

"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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Respectfully submitted,

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

Tewksbury, Oct, 13, 1886.

Superintendent's Report

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Early in the year a Howard electric watch clock was placed in the office, with wires connecting with every department of night service. It has proved a most satisfactory means of record and assurance. The new brick front at the public entrance, and the macadamized road and brick sidewalks which replace the cobble-stones within the yard, are perhaps the improvements most seen and felt by residents and frequent visitors.

The new officers' kitchen in the basement of the main building furnishes long needed conveniences in that department. The former kitchen will supply the addition to the officers' dining-room demanded by the increased number of officers.

Cemetery.

The cemetery, which has received the dead since the institution was established, is already full and some addition is necessary. Our own land adjacent is cleared and cultivated, and is also bounded on two sides by frequented highways. It seems better to occupy land in the rear of the present cemetery and more remote from public gaze. Such land can be purchased at a reasonable rate, and I would recommend the purchase of four or five acres.

Gratefully acknowledging your cordial sympathy and ready counsel,

I am, yours respectfully,
C. IRVING FISHER, M.D.,
Superintendent.

SCHEDULE A.

Real and Personal Estate.

This is to certify that the foregoing is a true schedule and appraisal of the personal property and real estate at the State Almshouse at Tewksbury belonging to the State of Massachusetts, September 30, 1886.

(Signed) PEDRICK & CLOSSON.

Essex, ss., Oct. 7, 1886.

Then personally appeared before me, Wm. R. Pedrick, and made oath that the foregoing schedule and appraisal is correct according to his best judgment and belief.

(Signed) CHARLES U. BELL,
Justice of the Peace.

Schedule B.

Of Persons Employed at the State Almshouse, for the Year ending September 30, 1886.

Statement No. 1

Statistics of Department of Insane.

STATEMENT No. 2.

Of the 2,228 admitted during the year, there were from

The following table shows the number admitted each month, sex, age: --

STATEMENT No. 3.

Nativity of Inmates.

STATEMENT No. 4.

Cash Disbursements.

STATEMENT No. 5.

Products of the Farm and Garden.

78 tons hay
15 " rowen
450 " corn for ensilage
12 " fodder corn
33 " straw
8 1/2 squash
600 " ice
300 bushels rye
130 " yellow-eye beans
500 " yellow corn
2, 600 " potatoes
470 " turnips
8 " grapes
446 " tomatoes
71 " carrots
261 " beets
30 1/2 " onions
40 " salsify
10 bushels horse radish
108 " parsnips
36 " beans
24 " asparagus
66 " string beans
183 " sweet corn
66 " cucumbers
42 " dandelions
9 " hops
33 " peppers
49 " pease
45 " spinach
1,300 " apples
3,000 heads cabbage
300 " cauliflower
2,000 " celery
3, 182 " lettuce
410 quarts currants
15 " gooseberries
1,479 " strawberries
124 " raspberries
650 pounds rhubarb
4,000 melons
700 cords manure

The meats, etc., slaughtered from the stock of the farm amount to:-

5,564 pounds of beef
11, 476 pounds pork

Dairy Products, etc.

36,113 gallons milk
614 dozen eggs

STATEMENT No. 6.

Articles manufactured at the State Almshouse, Department for Insane, October 1, 1885 to October 1, 1886.

699 pairs pants.
33 " overalls.
386 " drawers.
325 " pillow-slips.
382 chemises.
353 bed-ticks.
890 aprons.
484 sheets.
28 jackets.
706 towels.
171 dresses.
6 sacques.
505 shirts.
60 pillow-ticks.
115 jumpers.
27 mattresses.
12 handkerchiefs.
3 hassocks.
455 undershirts.
24 carpets.
110 skirts.
11 pairs boys' pants.
8 bibs.
46 sun bonnets.
24 napkins.
Total number of articles manufactured, 5,863.

Articles manufactured at the State Almshouse, Almshouse Department, October 1, 1885 to October 1, 1886.

94 dresses
48 night dresses
984 diapers
739 towels
7 circulars
529 sheets
21 curtains
83 infant bands
8 " shrouds
12 " chemises
92 " skirts
320 " shirts
4 " cloaks
18 " robes
184 " slips
427 aprons
67 caps
13 crib pads
75 "Mother Hubbard" cloaks
162 children's dresses
93 " waists
161 " skirts
75 " night dresses
55 corset covers
15 strainers
202 boys' shirts
34 boys' caps
13 pairs boys' pants
12 bags
101 pairs drawers
6 crib blankets
44 burial shirts
47 sacques
172 chemises
2 shirts
73 pairs ear caps
457 pillow-slips
227 burial sheets
19 bolster cases
178 hat bags
323 handkercheifs
102 cradle sheets
38 pairs oversleeves
58 holders
8 skirts
6 coats
9 pairs suspenders
4 shoulder blankets
12 cradle quilts
47 pillow-ticks
20 cloaks
3 polonaises
1 basque
2 lambrequins
1 mattress
12 table-cloths
2 clothes bags
34 men's shrouds
36 napkins
Total number of articles manufactured, 6,595.