WM I64r mo IOWA GENERAL ASSEMBLY JOINT COMMITTEE TO Y1S1T HOSPITAL FOR INSANE AT MT# PLEASANT REPORT NLM D05b0557 0 NLM005605570 E NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICIN v ' r REPORT JOINT COMMITTEE TWENTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY STATE OF IOWA, APPOINTED TO VISIT THE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE LOCATED AT Mt. pleasant. PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. DES MOINES: a. H. RAGSDALE, STATE PRINTER. 1890. /$c/0 REPORT. To the Twenty-third General Assembly of the State of Iowa: Your Joint Committee appointed to visit the Hospital for the Insane at Mt. Pleasant and examine into its management, beg leave to submit the following report: Your Committee met at the Hospital on the morning of Febru- ary 25, 1890, and organized by electing a Chairman and Secretary, and then proceeded to the examination of the institution in accord- ance with your joint resolution. We began our investigation by first going through the different wards of the Hospital, carefully inspecting the sanitary condition of the same, the general appearance of the inmates, their clothing, character and quality of food, drinking water, ventilation, sun- light, temperature of the wards, etc., all of which were eminently satisfactory. The inmates seemed to be contented and satisfied, with few excep- tions, and in cases of dissatisfaction or discontent, we found upon investigation, that it was owing to the condition of the patient, rather than to any mismanagement on the part of the Superintend- ent or attendants in the Hospital. The patients seemed to be well nourished, and were cleanly in appearance. We next proceeded to the examination of the new kitchen and ironing rooms, the arrangement of which seemed to your Commit- tee to be all that could be desired, affording ample room for the preparation of the vast amount of food necessary for the inmates of the institution, also for the ironing, handling and preparation of the clothing. We also examined with great care the new boiler house, which is situated about 1,000 feet distant from the main Hospital Build- ing. We found it apparently well built, with good stone founda- tion and superstructure of hard brick, corrugated iron roof and iron 4 HOSPITAL AT MT. PLEASANT. [B9a. ceiling over boiler and engine rooms. The five new boilers are in position, and, so far as your Committee could judge, are doing excellent work. Your Committee also examined the new Industrial Building. This building is seventy-five by fifty feet and two stories high, with connecting corridor of brick to west wing, thirty feet in length. This building seems to be well built, upon good stone foundation, and of good hard brick superstructure, finished inside with south- ern pine, and well painted. The purchase of the additional 210 acres of land has enabled the Superintendent to increase his herd of milch cows to about 125. thus furnishing for the use of the Hospital an abundant supply of good fresh milk, also grass, hay, oats and corn sufficient to feed all the stock on the Hospital farm. Your Committee find that the appropriations made by the last Gen- eral Assembly have been wisely and economically expended; that they were expended for the purposes for which they were appro- priated; that chapter 67, acts of the Seventeenth General Assembly has been complied with, in not contracting indebtedness in excess of appropriations; that there has been no diversion of any money from the specific purpose for which it was appropriated. The names and number of persons employed in the institution, the salaries received, etc., will be found appended to this report and marked exhibit "A." Your Committee carefully inspected the means of escape in case of fire, which consists of stairwaj's leading from the ends of each section of each wing, also stairways leading to the rotunda of cen- tral building. The appliances for extinguishing fire are steam pumps, with pipe and hose attachments in each ward and on each floor of central building, also hand grenades on each floor of rotunda. Other safe- guards are iron doors between sections of the hospital, and a thor- ough system of thermostats, an electric fire alarm in use here which works admirably. Your Committee found the general management and administra- tion of the Hospital eminently satisfactory, headed by Dr. Gilman, the Superintendent, with an able, industrious corps of assistants. Your Committee has carefully examined and closely scrutinized each item for the several appropriations for improvements and repairs recommended by the Trustees and Superintendent of the Hospital and emphasized by the State Visiting Committee, and we feel confident that nothing has been requested that is not absolutely 1890.] REPORT OF VTSITING COMMITTEE. necessary for the economical administration of the institution in all of its extensive and varied operations, and for the scientific and humane care of its 800 patients; we therefore most earnestly rec- ommend that the several appropriations be granted. They are as follows, and with the enumeration we state briefly our reasons for such recommendation, as discovered by us upon the occasion of our visit: FOR AMUSEMENT HALL AND CHAPEL. $15,000. The only auditorium connected with the Institution is a small room which was constructed when the capacity of the Hospital was less than one-half the number it now accommodates, and will com- fortably seat about 150. The number of patients is about 800, and with their necessary attendants increases the maximum to 900 per- sons, who should have an opportunity to enjoy the benefits derived from the various exercises held here almost daily. With a reduc- tion of 200 for any who may not be able to attend on account of their condition (which we are informed is a large margin), there would then be the need of seating capacity in Amusement Hall and Chapel for 700, and, to accomodate all who might be present at any one time, it should be 800. For several years, we under- stand, the appropriation for this improvement, which to us seems most important, has been requested of the legislatures when assem- bled, but has been deferred and delayed, on account of the State debt and other demands. From observation while there, of the effects of such diversions as are arranged for the benefit of the patients, and from the universal testimony of those alienists who have spent their lives in this work, we believe this to be a most important adjunct to the means of cure in such hospitals. The natural religious feeling still exists in the minds of a large number of patients who are in the Hospital for treatment, many of them beino- obliged to remain for years, and they think it a great hard- ship to be deprived of religious services; yet a large proportion of them must be, unless this appropriation is made. To those who have not the same religious interest or desire, it is a diversion and oreatly relieves the monotony of their lives. The various diver- sions are concerts, dramatic entertainments, dances, lectures with stereopticon illustrations, etc., etc. For the Amusement Hall it will be necessary to have a large stao-e, with all the necessary appliances, curtains, wings, scenery, lights etc., and the old walls inside must be torn out for two 6 HOSPITAL AT MT. PLEASANT. [B9a. stories, also the floors and ceilings. It will also, at the extreme south end, be necessary to build, for twenty-five feet, the outside walls forty feet high, then the inside must all be finished. For the Chapel, of course, the same must be done, as it is in the same building, and with the furniture here, is desired a good organ, which is a great accessory in such a place. In looking over the large number of unfortunate persons who find shelter in this Hos- pital, and with the fact before us that, for all future time, 800 such persons must be constantly treated here, your Committee most heartily indorse this improvement. The Superintendent with the aid of competent architects, has made a careful estimate of the cost, and we recommend the amount requested. FOR REFRIGERATING BUILDING FOR COLD STORAGE, $7,000. One of the most urgent demands and pressing needs of this Hos- pital for several years has been a cold storage building for the preser- vation of the large amount of perishable supplies required annually for the nearly 1,000 people there domiciled. Every year great loss is entailed in butter, meat and other perishable articles, from no provision having been made for all such supplies, also from the fact that they cannot purchase a sufficient amount to last through the year at such time as they can be procured at lowest prices and of best quality. There is no place where the large supply of but- ter, eggs, meat, apples and other fruit, fish, etc., required for the Hospital, can be safely stored. At least 25,000 pounds of butter is required per annum, which should be purchased in the season when best, and in sufficient quantity for the year's supply, at such time it can also be procured most economically. The temperature in the refrigerator will stand at about 36 degrees Fahrenheit, and thus the butter will keep indefinitely in a perfectly sweet condition. The other articles required, and above enumerated, should be served in the same manner. Sane people, who are not more than ordinarily nervous and irritable, do not view with pleasure the serv- ing of strong butter, tainted meat or spoiled eggs, and certainlv the class of diseased and nervous people cared for there, consider themselves greatly imposed upon; yet the management is abso- lutely powerless to prevent occasional occurrences of this kind until supplied with this refrigerating building. The plans and estimates for this structure have been carefully prepared by the Superintendent. We consider this one of the most important 1890.] REPORT OF VISITING COMMITTEE. 7 adjuncts to this Hospital, to aid in the proper dietary care of the patients. We recommend the amount asked, and believe it to be one of the most economical measures presented by the manage- ment. FOR ICE HOUSE, $3,000. The amount of ice annually needed by the Hospital is about 1,000 tons. There is practically no storage room for it, nothing but an old temporary shed, put up last year, being in existence. There should be a sufficient capacity for a two years' supply, so that, as has been the case this year, they need not pay two or three times the price for the necessary amount, as during years when ice is plentiful. They have a lake on the premises, now supplied with water from springs, and the cost of putting up ice will be nominal, as it can be done with the men and teams ordinarily employed there. Ice is a very important agent, medicinally, in this class of diseases, as well as for the extensive domestic operations of the institution, and there should never be a lack of it. Your Commit- tee has examined the plans, specifications and estimates submitted by the Superintendent, and would recommend the amount asked by the Trustees for this purpose. FOR REPAIRS, IMPROVEMENTS AND CONTINGENT FUND, $5,000 PER ANNUM. As has been the case for four years past, the amount recom- , mended two years ago for necessary repairs of this extensive plant was reduced, so that it has been impossible to do much necessary work, in order to keep the property of the State here from deteri- oration, and we consider it a very unwise policy to leave undone necessary repairs, which results in more extensive and expensive outlays. We believe the true policy of the State to adopt is, to keep up the repairs of the Hospital so that there shall be no decay, and consequent loss, or large appropriations for such purpose required in the future. This can be accomplished by the appro- priation of $5,000 per annum, and experience has shown that a less sum is insufficient. Your Committee would recommend that amount. FOR SLAUGHTER HOUSE AND PIGGERY, $2,500. The growth of this Hospital in numbers, has increased the necessity for the above purposes, and on a more extensive scale 8 HOSPITAL AT MT. PLEASANT. [B9« than required before. The slaughter house is but a poor excuse for such purposes, and is so situated as to be a great nuisance to the wards of the Hospital in all the butchering and rendering opera- tions, and, as a sanitary measure, we would recommend this appro- priation. There is absolutely no shelter for the three or four hundred swine annually raised and fed here, and these buildings could be most economically and conveniently arranged on a branch of a creek, a sufficient distance from the Hospital to remove all danger from the effluvia emanating therefrom which is deleterious to health, and at the same time provide ample shelter for the swine. For a building of sufficient capacity for both purposes, we believe the amount asked by the Trustees and Superintendent not too large. FOR PATIENTS1 CONSERVATORY, $2,500. There are a large number of fine plants and some rare exotics, which have been procured by donation and otherwise, an accumu- lation of years. These have been placed in a small, low building, attached to one of the wings and extending under the ward. The wood work and sash is decayed, and the foundation disintegrated, so that it is liable to fall down at any time. A portion of this room is under the ward, and the vegetable growth in close proximity to sleeping apartments of patients, so that there is danger of malaria in this section of the wing, and it is, consequently, not a proper place to rebuild the old structure. Your Committee has examined very carefully this building and contents, and noted the impor- tance of saving these valuable plants to the State, as well as observed the importance of such a place for the diversion of the patients, especially in the winter season, when all outside is dreary and depressing. It becomes a veritable oasis to these unfortunate people, and serves to attract their mental operations from their own troubles as much as anything connected with the Hospital. This must all be dispensed with, and the valuable palms, cacti, banana, orange, lemon, fig and many other trees and plants, together with roses, heliotropes, pinks and geraniums of various and rare shades, will be destoyed for want of protection, unless this appropriation is made by this General Assembly. With these facts before us, we most earnestly recommend this much needed improvement. The amount requested by the Trustees is not more than will be required for the large number of plants there gathered and the space required for the patients to circulate among them. 1890.] REPORT OF VISITING COMMITTEE. 9 FOR STEAM ENGINE, $2,600. The only engine in use at this Hospital was placed there nearly thirty years ago, and was in the old engine room fourteen years ago when that structure was burned. It is much out of repair, and liable to become completely useless, leaving idle all the machinery in operation here, which must be in motion daily to perform the necessary work. It is not of sufficient power when running, to per- form the work required. We would, in the interest of economy and good management, recommend that an engine of sufficient capacity be procured, and that the old one be then overhauled and placed in such repair as possible, to use as a "lay off" in case of any accident to the other machine. The amount asked is the exact amount required for engine, with only fifty dollars added for set- ting it in position. FOR IMPROVEMENT OF GROUNDS AND FENCES, $1,000 PER ANNUM. The construction of the new wings has caused the fences to air- ing courts in the rear of the wards to be removed and disarranged, and they should be replaced at once, together with other fences which are decayed and constantly being blown down, and the grounds should be graded where changes have been made by new buildings, and walks should be laid out in front through the grounds, for the female patients. Your Committee recommend the small sum asked per annum for this purpose. FOR REPAIRING RESERVOIR, $3,000. The present reservoir in front of the Hospital was constructed many years ago. It has leaked considerably for several years, and the amount thus lost is increasing. As the Hospital secures its supply of water from the Mt. Pleasant Water Company, and pays by the thousand gallons, as measured before passing into this res- ervoir, it is important, as an economical measure, that these repairs be made. It will not only be necessary to remove the stone lining now displaced by frost, but puddle the embankment from the bot- tom to the top thoroughly, to make a permanent improvement. Your Committee believes that this should be done within the next biennial period, and that the amount asked is not excessive. FOR FIRE PIPE, HOSE AND HOSE CARTS, $5,000. It is an absolute necessity for fire protection of this large insti NATIONAL ' ~,~'.' rr >^y—- E" ■- ■- r< 10 HOSPITAL AT MT. PLEASANT. [B9a tution, with its thousand helpless inmates, that a line of fire pipe be laid around the entire plant, with fire plugs for hose attachment, and hose, with necessary hose carts; and the hose inside the build- ing, which has become rotten, should be renewed. Y'our Commit- tee believe the entire amount asked for these purposes should be appropriated, in the interest of safety to the inmates. This is a demand that requires no argument to make plain its importance. 1890.1 REPORT OF VISITING COMMITTEE. 11 OFFICERS AND EMPLOYES. Xames, compensation and kind of service of the employes in the Iowa Hospital for the Insane at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, June 30, 1889. OCCUPATION. Superintendent................... H. A. Oilman....... First assistant physician.........M. E. Wit to........ Second assistant physician.......F. P. Peck......... Third assistant physcian.........P. F- Straub....... Steward...........................E. N. Nelson....... Matron...........................iF. VCole......... Apothecary......................'L. W. Harding..... Clerk .............|Flora Chalfant Stenographer .'.'.'...................Julia Miller ...... Supervisor........................Win. Whittaker... Supervisor, assist ant.............jE. H. House....... Attendant ........................| A. W. I ranks...... Attendant..........................|M. Weaver......... Attendant.........................!£• Braddy......... Attendant...................i.....|Geo. W. Voorheis. Attendant..........................Thos. Heckert.... Attendant.........................T. H. Given ...... Attendant..........................Geo McFadden... Attendant.........................\- Winters........ Attendant..........................; A. L. Davis........ Attendant..........................in0.-,Bun^,........ Attendant.......................:T. Maxwell........ Attendant.........................1 • '\- McCray...... Attendant........................IJ. Cloughly........ Attendant..........................A. W. Faulkner... Attendant.......................... I • Eastberg..... Attendant..........................|WF. Burnett..... Attendant...... ...................,J ■ A- Anderson Attendant.........................]>■ (;- Hankins..... Attendant.........................te cVHiTper....... Attendant.........................IV-t> ti .......... Attendant........................£■ «• Hooper....... Attendant fSMT*™ ........ Attendant..........................£ Jv t£omy......... Attendant..........................!£• Monroe . C. L. Spray L. V. Banta..... S. H. Anderson. D. O. Woodson.. IMinnie Bartlett.. . iKate Sidelotham. Attendant. Attendant. Attendant. Attendant........ inuT„io p..,,., vt Attendant.........................1^ +V-e n* + Attendant . . |r Chelan Attendant..........................llk.:Yv„« "; Attendant Attendant.... Attendant . ...... k^Vrs-hc." Attendant........... .............J^tw n,;,,,,-!, Attendant......................... M^V, iP H ,rain A ±±^nr\ .. >» t . . . . iVliiUwlC 11