༣ Trustees' Report. to fifty years. That many of them were aged, infirm and extremely feeble. The foregoing statement, united with the fact that since the organization of the hospital no epidemic or accident of a serious nature has occurred, demonstrates good management, attended with good fortune and good results. The following statement shows the movement of the household. for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1879: Remaining under treatment Sept. 30, 1878.... Admitted during the year.. Total under treatment during the year. Average under treatment..... Discharged recovered Discharged improved... Discharged unimproved... Died... Total discharged. Remaining under treatment Sept. 30, 1879... 559 108 757 55314 65 68 43 35 211 546 The wards of the hospital have been thoroughly inspected each month by competent physicians residing in different parts of the state. These inspections were made with members of the board of trustees alternately. They are not confined to an inspection of the wards only, but the fullest liberty is given to examine into all the affairs of the institution relative to its general management, conduct of officers, employees and treatment of patients. Reports of these inspections are herewith submitted for publication. For further information and details, relative to the cure and treatment of patients, the medical and internal management of the hospital, we ask your special attention to the able report of Dr. Walter Kempster, the medical superintendent of the hospital, which is fully indorsed by the trustees. The report of the steward, Mr. Butler, shows that, with the exception of potatoes, there is an increase over last year in nearly all the products of the farm and garden. Accompanying his report is a list of vouchers for all expenditures made during the fiscal year. Supplies furnished the hospital, so far as consistent, have been open to competition; Trustees' Report. the rule being to purchase where most advantageous to the state. Itemized accounts for all purchases have been examined and approved by the executive committee of the board of trustees. The reports of the secretary and treasurer are herewith submitted, showing the financial condition of the hospital; also reports of the several committees of the board of trustees, showing the transactions in the respective departments under their charge. The buildings and improvements for which special appropriations were made at the last session of the legislature, have all been completed. About thirty acres of land have been cleared and enclosed with a board fence, from which our agricultural products have been increased this year. A new barn has been constructed, 180 by 49 feet. A new root cellar has been completed with a capacity which meets the present wants of the hospital. The laun-dry has been enlarged by extending its walls 46 by 40 feet. Improved machinery has been added so that it may be operated with less expense. Some improvements have also been made on the grounds in front of the hospital buildings, all of which has been done with the amount appropriated therefor. Besides several other improvements have been made chiefly by regular employees and help about the hospital; among which, pipes have been laid to supply the barns with water, a new green house has been commenced, and the gas works finished and put in successful operation. The appropriations for subsistence and current expenses will be ample, unless there should be an extraordinary advance in the cost; of supplies. Between this time and the beginning of the hospital year, March, 1880, there will be no deficiency, but on the contrary, there will be a balance on hand of $193.23. The fuel forms a large item of current expenses. It consists chiefly of coal delivered by cars. To prevent errors or abuse, the hospital should be furnished with scales of a capacity sufficient to weigh by car load. The estimated cost of such scales is $800. The artesian well which thus far has afforded an ample supply of water, appears to be gradually failing. Fears are entertained that the supply will soon bè inadequate. One of the original plans for water supply was that of constructing a tunnel to Lake Winnebago, a distance of 4,554 feet, 7 Trustees' Report. and thus obtain water by natural flow. This plan was approved by several experts, but the appropriation was inadequate. The estimated cost of such tunnel at this time is $15,000, and the trustees recommend that this amount be appropriated, that the work may be commenced early in the spring. The trustees also indorse the recommendation of the superintendent on the subject of further protection against fire, and therefore ask for an appropriation of $5,000 for a steam fire engine, and $1,300 for pipe and hose. An appropriation is also asked of $500 to enlarge the dry room, which does not now embrace sufficient space for drying clothing. For the further protection of the wards against cold, the trustees ask for an appropriation of $900 for stormwindows. With special appropriations made for the purposes above mentioned, we believe that $4.25 per week will be sufficient for the per capita cost of maintenance, notwithstanding the recent advance in the price of all the necessary articles of consumption. It appears by the report of the secretary and treasurer that there $56,819 51 51,126 28 5,500 00 $193 23 Leaving on hand March 1st, 1880 ... There will be required for the support of 555 patients from February 29, 1880, till March 1, 1881 (52 1-7 weeks), at $4.25 per week $122,991 96 $23,500 00 Since the opening of the hospital there has been a constant want of room for the accommodation of patients. For this reason the trustees in former reports have recommended the enlargement of the hospital sufficiently to accommodate 400 additional patients, that being the estimated number confined in poor houses and county jails. The cost of such enlargement, including furnishing, would not exceed $190,000. It is a just policy for the State to provide and care for all its insane at public expense. All should be cared for in like manner. It is manifestly unjust that the more violent and most unfortunate should be confined in county jails, while those less unfortunate are provided with good care in comfortable hospitals. To provide a uniform and economic care of the insane, there should be but one system, controlled by one government. The double system of providing fcr one portion by county, and another by state government, is attended with unequal care and greater expense. On this subject we desire to call your special attention to that portion of the superintendent's report relative to a report of a committee of the British Parliament, wherein it is proposed that the government shall purchase and control all the private asylums, and have them officered and governed similar to the state hospitals in this country. The officers of the hospital remain the same as at the date of the Walter Kempster, M. D., is the Medical Superintendent; William Assistant Physician; Joseph Butler, Steward; Mrs. L. A. Butler, Each have discharged their respective duties to the best of their ability and to the satisfaction of the board of trustees. In conclusion we thank Your Excellency for the interest you have manifested in the affairs of this Institution, and trust you will continue to guide its onward progress in the cause of charity. Respectfully submitted, D. W. MAXON, Prest., N. A. GRAY, Secy., THOS. D. GRIMMER, Treas., PETER RUPP, W. P. ROUNDS, Board of Trustees. |