Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, January 1, 1916, Page 26

In October, 1904, the Norwich State hospital was opened fo!' the reception of patients, the first state institution to be located here. In February, 1913, the Norwich State tuberculosis sana- torium was added to the state institutions located here, and about the middle of last October the third state institution was added to the list by the opening of the State Farm for inebriates as an adjunct to the State hospital. In the following review of the work at each one of these, the principal developments of the past year are given. TO EXPEND $107,764 AT i STATE HOSPITAL THIS YEAR For Two New Wards, Widening of Porches, Water Supply and Other Work—Dr. Pollock to go to Massachusetts Homeopathic Hospital as Superintendent—Dr. Erdman to Be Acting Superintendent Here and Dr. Everett Acting Assistant Superintendent. Comparatively little in “the line of building work has been done in the past vear at the Norwich State hospital except in the way of finishing up work that had already been started in the pre- ceding year, as the amount represented un- der new work was only $4,000; but in the year to come there will be the appropriation of $107,764 made by the last legis- lature to be expended. This is to be applied as follows: $130,000 for two new wards for 100, pa- tients. each, $12,000 for widening the porches on north and south wards B, $5,014 for renewal of. the o i s P turn mains, $1,800 for ex- tra sewer and water mains, $20,000 for a new water supply; and $1,950 for furnishings for the new amusement hall. CONSTANT INCREASE IN PATI:‘NTS There were 104 more admitted to the hospital in 1915 than in 1914°and 158 ‘more than in 1913. There were 195 more cases un- .@er tréatment 4t tiie: institution last vear than in 1914 and 227 "more than n 1913. During the past two years the population has increased 241 of which 164 was in the last year which is the largest -gain in any sinzle year. 5 S PER CAPITA COST REDUCED. ' | . Por the'last year the per capita expense per week was $3.512, baued on the cost of actual supplies used, where it was $3.637 tiie year before. - “The. work- of the hospital calls for a force of about 240 em- ployes and’the net maintenance expense last year were $204,116.79 ‘where it was $189;419.99 the year before. . Among ' the ; largest items of expense are officers’ salaries $12,628, émployes’- salaries $72,491.887, fuel and light $21,704.47, provisions $20.155.51, meats $19, 103,66, farm and garden $10,553.78, The daily- cost of food supblies per person fed, including of- ficers gnd employes was 14 1/100 cents. Among other food there ‘was; col ed at the hospital in the past year 1,443 barrels of the ‘best_ flower, 29,967 pounds of granulated sugar, 9,832 pounds of “Coffee, 79,458 dozen” of eggs, 103,574 pounds of meat, 29,260 pounds’ of ' dried fruits, 4,083 bushels of potatoes, and 26,406 pounds of butter. .- POLLOCK GOING TO BOSTON. Right at the beginning of this present year the State hospital is to experience a change In its directing head, the first that has taken. place in that office since the hospital received its first patient on October 10, 1904. Dr. H. M. Pollock, under whom as superintendent the derful development of the institution has taken place until it now accommodates 1,217 patients and Fepresents an expediture of $1,500,000 in buildings, land and permanent improvements, has accepted the appointment as superintendent of the Massachusetts Homoeopathic hospital at Boston under an arrangement with the trustees’ of the Norwich State hospital by which they did mnot MVWJMMW hot water supply and re- * on- accept his resignation here but have ‘Iven him leave-of ‘absence for a year. His new appointment takes effect from the first of February but he will be in Boston through this month, returning here weekly for purposes of consultation and advice with' the staff and trustees of the State hospital. One of the particular considerations which brought about this arrangement was Dr. Pollock’s own interest in the state farm for inebriates which was established this fall as an adjunct to the State hospital. It was with great reluctance that the trustees received Dr. Pollock’s proffered rebignation for they recognized in him the man fitted above all others. to inaugurate this state experiment in reform work for inebriatés and the same feeling ‘was shared by the legislators who had been foremost in support of the plan to begin the inebriate farm work. IndWe in the multitudinous details that are involved in the conduct of such an institution as'the Norwich State hospital, Dr. Pollock has set and maintained a high standard since its inception-and has made the local institution a*model of its kind. DR. T. F. ERDMAN ACTING- SUPERIN'I'ENQENT. Dr. Thomas E. Erd- - man, who since July 1, 1907, has been assistant superintendent, has been appointed - acting super- intendent to succed Dr. Pollock. He has doné conspicuously good work in his service at the hos- pital to which he came immediately after his graduation with first honors from Hahnemann Medical college, Philadel- phia, in 1907. Before that he had graduated from Albrigat college at My- erstown, - Pa.,. class .of 1904. He was born at Cherryville, . Northamp- ton County, Pennsyl- vania, 32 years ago, the son of Rev. and Mrs. F. E. Erdman. . Since com- ing to the Norwich State hospital he married on oM. RDMAN: October. 17, 1911, Dr. B STHOMAS po st Jennie G. Purmort, who was senior physician of the female wards at the hospital. Dr. and Mrs. Erdman have two children. DR. EVERETT ACTING ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT. Dr. Edward A. Everett, who has been senior phy- sician = on' the female service, has been ap- pointed acting assistant superintendent. “He has been connected with the NorWich State hospital since July 8, 1914, He has made a record as a specialist ' in ‘mental and nervous disorders since graduating = from New York Homoeopathic *col- lege in 1897. For eight years' thereafter he was <t the Middletown: State hospital " in. New York " and for eight veags affer that in ° private ‘sana- toriwm. work in New i Fork state. | He is a-na- “tiverot New: York city. DR. EDWARD A. EVERETT. FARM FOR INEBRIATFS Eyu of the State on F_xpenment in Scientific Re- form Methods Applied to Victims of the Liquor Habit—Fifty-one Men Without Locks or Bars or Gates—Engaged in Healthful Occupations —Their Work to, Be Utilized For State’s Benefit. . . But while the year has been different from many, others in the way of an increase of the number of buildings at the hospi- tal grounds, it has been unique in l.nother le for it lisnallzen , Bmlg at Staté Alnmates p the opening of the state h.rm for inebriates, an experiment for Connecticut in the scientific treatment of those:who have become slaves to the liquor-habit. It is an endeavor that is attracting the attention of the com- munities, town officials, probation officers, and those who are con- cerned in the practical reformation of drunkards. It is a work that is absolutely new, but is apt to extend, as it is demonstrated that it has a value to the individual, the community from which he comes and the state in general. Opened about the middie of October for the reception of the first men to be committed.to it, and originally meant to eccom- modate not less than 30 inmates, ways have been found to in- crease its‘‘capacities so that it now has 51 men patients. When some further extensions of the buildings are made, which are now underway there will be room for 68 men. The farm is located about two miles from the main hospital buildings and occuples the 100-acre Gallup farm a short distance south of the village of Poquetanuck. WHAT THEY DO AT FARM. ‘What do. they do at the state farm for inebriates? . The answer is that they do everything, each man the work for which he is fitted or has had some acquaintance with before he was sent to the farm to see if the hold that liquor had on him could not be broken by an .enforced period of at least six months in which he would live a regular life, be healthfully em- ploved, and disassociated from the Influences that dragged him down when he was in his ordinarily walks of life. Each man takes up his residence in the farm buildings after ' undergoing about two weeks of anti-alcohol treatment at the State hospital. A recent visit. to the farm gave a good indication of how the time of the inmates is occupied. In one place a group of 14 was at work with shovels piling the dirt up around the stone wall Wwhich is to be the foundation for an extension of the building used as a dining room and dormitory. Some distance from the house, four or five with a yoke of oxen were carting sand to the . poultry house. where another of the men, who has had considera- ble knowledge of the poulfry: business, -was fixing up quarters for the feathered flock that.was to be.put there. .On the floor over the dining room, three or four who have been carpenters were finishing off & room that is to provide more dormitory accommo- dations. Several were engaged about the buildings in doing the nec- essary things that keep them at-all times spic and span, neat and clean, and half a dozen were out in one of the lots, clearing it of brush and stone. " One man is the fireman who looks after the steam heater, an- other is the.cook, another the barber, another has charge of the two cows that furnish milk for the farm, and to another the. care of the pigs is entrusted. The work of each day goes on under the direction of Michael H. Nolan, who with two assistants is in charge of the place. NO GATES OR BARS OR LOCKS. There are no gates or bars or locks to ensure confinement but since the farm has been started every man on it has been perfectly. tractable and there has not been an attempt to leave the place. On the Gallup farm which is used for the inebriate farm the dwellin: house is used for recreation room, quarters for the three attendants, and a dormitory room on the first floor. On ‘the’ second floor are dormitory rooms, and in the basement is the wash room and toilet room, and heater room. There are two’ shower baths. Behind the main building a shed has been utilized to furnish kitchen and dining room on the first floor and dormi-’ tory room upstairs. 100. The dining room 1is to be enlarged to seat There is a good barn and other outbuildings. KEEPING TRACK OF COST. The act establishing the farm provides that the expenses of the farm shall be kept separate from the State hospital so that it may be shown what the expenses of the new department are. The supplies for the farm are purchased by the main hospital and reissued as the needs may require, a slight addition to the, price to be charged to the farm to cover the expense of storage and issuing. All the laundry work is done at the main hospital and the state farm is charged the actual cost. The baking of bread and pasiry is done at the main hospital, but otherwise it is planned to have all facilities for carrying on the work at the farm proper. HOW FARM CAME TO BE USED. The Gallup farm of 100 acres was bought in 1913 with an ap- propriation of $4,500 of which $4,300 was used to purchase the farm and $200 the water rights that had gone with it. In getting the farm into its present shape there has been spent slightly less than $3,000 on building and equipment. During the 1915 session of the general assembly two bills | were introduced providing for the establishment of a state farm for the treatment of inebriates and dipsomaniacg These bills were quite similar in character, one requesting an appropriation of $100,000 and the other $50,000. These measures were given a careful hearing by the committee on humane institutions and later were referred to the committee on appropriations. ‘When the committes on appropriations visited.the Norwich State Hospital for the Insane it was pointed out that a portion of the hoepital ‘property known as the Gallup farm, purchased for’$4,300, some two years previously, might be used as a depart- ment for the treatment and custodial care of male inebriates. The trustees and Superintendent Pollock, however, expressed the . opinion that this should only be considered should the committee on appropriaf s determine that, owing to the financial condition of the state, i distinct institution for this purpose. If the Gallup property was to be considered it was pointed out that an appropriation of $5,000 should be made, $3,000 for the remodeling, the need, in the board's opinion, of tomommomgumu» mbndwu-d:wt\omm. ot?nmuu.nuek.p‘ldsm mmm numou-dmommmmu-mmm fiiu&-mummmw the construction of i .mmmwmmmumum na would be impossible to- establish a separate and . tures in remodelling the bufldings, installing: the deetfle lights * and the sewage and water system lnd purchutnz the M equipment. 3 After the work has been completed on the hospital dam it 3 is planned to employ the inmates upon the farm and in im- proving the highways in the neighboring towns, arrangements having already been partially’ perfected with the seloctmeh of g Gtotan for the performing of this work. SELF-SUPPORTING AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. It is of course planned to make this work as Self-supporting as poasible and although during the first months it will probably be necessary -to charge the maximum amount ($8.50 per week) for the care of each inmate this will be reduced as rapidly as possible as circumstances will permit and in the end’it~is hoped that the institution can be maintained at only a nominal charge to the friends and relatives of patients and to the towns and state. DEMONSTRATE ITS VALUE, It is the hope of the trustees of the hospital that through | the success of this to demonstrate in a small way what might be accomplished and that the state will eventually see the-wisdom. of increasing the capacity of the farm or establishing a new and independent institution in sorne other -locality, or institutions in the various counties, if such a plan appears to be more ad- visable. £ TUBERCULOSIS SANATORHJM HAD DAILY AVERAGE OF 79 PATIENTS. Its Sorest Need is More Isolation Roomi-—rMam- tenance Cost Was Between '$46,000 and $48,000—163 Patients Admitted During the Year. Because of the.refusal of the last legislature tp grant an ap- propriation of about $6,000 for tane erection of additional isolation rooms, about 12 in all, which are the sorest need at the Norwich State tuberculosis sanatorium, there was almost no new building at the institution in the year, just past, although it was possible to construct three new rooms in the employes part of the bufld- ing. This was done with funds that were available, putting three finished rooms ‘whtere ‘there had: been ‘only-loft space before. One of the other fm- provements at the sana- torium was the comple- tion of ,'a new. service road around to the rear of the buildings so as to reach the kitchen, the in- cinerator and the root cellar. During the year r.ho daily average of patients under :the charge of Dr. Hugh '‘B. Campbell, .the superiniendent, and :Dr. - BEdward ¢J. Lynch, assistant superinten: with their staff of 3§ to 88, hasibeen 79, of 45 were males and )34 : females. : “The .mal i ‘nance cot has been - $46,000-t0:$48,000. In the jvaluable Wi that the x&a i il ing as ‘oneof‘the l;ctfi-- -state DR. HUGH‘ BZVCAMPBELL. . agninst. theg *Plague, - have. been discharged in the year/as nnpa.renuy and 77 as-improved-cases. 'The latter arein the class’ who have been under treatment:at’the sanatoriu own desire haye preferred to-leave: the-institution' ann. ment _in’ their condition has been shown, though ‘further ‘t:en_ . ment at the sanatorium would be desirable. At the beginning of the sanatprium’s stafistical 1, 1914, there. were 41 male patients and year there were admitted: 93, males and ‘70 femsles “_ same time there.were dlzcha.rged 58 males”and 68" fe ot - the ‘93 males admitted 51 were between :theiages of-31.and 40, and of the-70 females 30 were between thg 3ges of 18 The communities in this part of the state naturally are most largely represented in the patients that co; to, the institution to receive the capable and expert care that they need in the struggle for the restora- b tion of health, although there are patients from all parts of the state. Of those received in the year 36 were from Nor- wich and 27 from New London. Other Eastern Con- necticut towns were rep=- resented as follows: ‘Willimantic 12, Mystic 5, Groton 6, Danieison 2, Jewett City 2, Greene- ville 3, Plainfield 3, Put- nam 2, Sprague 2,Water- ford 2, Pawcatuck 2, and Voluntown, Stonington, Brooklyn, Noank, North Windham one each. One department of the sanatorium that = helps materially to reduce the maintenance cost besides providing a high quality of produce is the fara. Here in the past year the farmer has had 17 acres under ocuitiva- tion of which about 7 ncr-hnb.uln hay & The rest has been for vegetable products... wers cut and 2 bushels of rye and two tons e a In the line of vegetable products the farm has produc following: 3,000 heads of cabbage, 33 bushels deans, 75 turnips, 300 bushels carrots, 150 bushels mangel beets;.5 table beets, 5 tons:of pumpkins, 11 bushels cucumbers, he squash, 650 bushels potatoes;-10,000 ears -of corn, 63 dozen bunches of radishes,- 26 bushels -peas,