REPORT.

To the Twenty-second General Assembly:

The joint committee appointed to visit the hospital for the insane at Mt. Pleasant for the purpose of investigating the management and condition of the same, beg leave to report that they have performed that duty, and submit the following report as the result of their examination.

Your committee met at the hospital on the morning of January 17th and organized by electing a chairman and secretary, and immediately began the investigation as required by your concurrent resolution by going through the different wards of the hospital, noting carefully the general sanitary condition of the same; the character of the ventilation and the general appearance and condition of the inmates; the character of the clothing and cleanliness of the same; the condition of wash rooms, bath rooms, sinks and water closets; the character and quantity of the food; also the drinking water.

Your committee also carefully noted the means of escape in case of fire, which consists of stairways leading from the ends of each section of each wing; also stairways leading to the rotunda of the central building.

The appliances for extinguishing fire are steam pumps with pipes and hose attachments in each ward, and on each floor of the central building, as well as hand grenades on each floor of the rotunda. Further safeguards are iron doors between the sections of the hospital, together with fire walls and a thorough system of theremostats and electric fire alarm in use here, which works admirably.

Your committee are glad to be able to report that they found the sanitary condition of the hospital all that could be desired; pure air, pure water, clean clothing, clean bedding, and an abundant supply of good sunlight through the building; but more especially is this true in the new wings. The inmates seem well nourished, and were clean

and tidy in person. They were also very quiet, and with but few exceptions contented. But few indications of discontent appeared to your committee, and upon investigation we found that they arose from the condition of the patient and not from their surroundings or treatment.

Your committee found the quantity of food sufficient, and of a good nourishing character, and well-cooked. Everything in this line is eminently satisfactory, except the supply of good, fresh milk, which we found to be inadequate. This is especially so since the completion of the two new wings making room for almost twice the number of inmates formerly cared for in this institution.

Your committee found the general management and administration of the hospital eminently satisfactory. Dr. Gilman, the superintendent, with his able corps of assistants, are an industrious and faithful body of medical gentlemen, well qualified to discharge the responsible duties devolving upon them. We also found the steward, matron, clerk, attendant and employes a respectful, intelligent, industrious and earnest class of ladies and gentlemen.

Your committee found the workmanship of the two new wings of the most substantial character, both as to construction and material. We found the interior finish of the new wings of the most satisfactory character, finished in hard pine, and painted with hardwood paint. We found the wards in the new wing comfortable and cheerful, supplied with abundance of pure air and bright sunshine.

Your committee further found, first, that the appropriations of the last General Assembly have been wisely and economically expended. Second, that they have been expended for the objects appropriated; Third, that chapter 67 of the acts of the Seventeenth General Assembly have been complied with in not contracting indebtedness in excess of the appropriations. Fourth, that there has been no diversion in any manner from the specific purpose for which it was appropriated. Fifth, the names and number of persons employed in this institution, the salaries, etc., will be found appended to this report, marked exhibit "A."

In the opinion of your committee it is impossible to accomplish the improvements that seem to them absolutely necessary to be made here, unless the several items are allowed, for the following reasons:

The new boilers cannot be placed in the small building now in use. Consequently a new boiler house must be constructed for the purpose, with coal house, etc., in connection. The boilers are an impar

ative necessity which cannot be delayed. The industrial building is a necessity for the accommodation for the ironing room, assorting room, sewing room, etc., before the kitchen can be extended to these rooms now used for domestic purposes. Proper cooking and service of meals cannot be had until this kitchen is renovated and enlarged. In like manner the space required for the enlargement of the amusement hall and chapel. The increased supply of milk, vegetables, feed, etc., now required for the additional number of patients accommodated here, cannot be procured without purchase of the land.

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 for the Insane at Mt. Pleasant, and emphasized by the State Visiting Committee, and we feel confident that nothing has been requested that is not absolutely 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 eight hundred patients.

We, therefore most earnestly recommend 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 five new boilers, boiler house, engine room, coal house, and wash house...

For repairs, extension and furnishing up kitchen.

For refrigerating building for cold storage.

For 240 acres of land...

For ice house...

two years)..

$ 20,000

5,000

7,000

15,000

3,000

12,000

1,500

5,000

For repairs, improvements and contingent fund (per annum for

For improvement of grounds, summer houses and fences..

2,000

For five new boilers, boiler house, engine room, coal house and wash house $20,000. The old boilers in use at this hospital are upright in variety, and have been in use for nearly or quite twenty-five years, are worn out and absolutely dangerous, and have been so pronounced by an expert boiler inspector employed by the Hartford Boiler Inspector and Insurance Company. They are constantly breaking down and we found them leaking badly, notwithstanding several hundred dollars had been expended this season for repairs.