Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, January 1, 1917, Page 30

' Average Number of Patlents at Hospltal for Past Twelve Months Was" 1227 While Over 100 Inmates Are Regxstered at the State Farme= ‘Hospital ReservoirjBeing Enlarged Through Purchase of Additional Land=—=Improvements and Construction Work” GENERALVWOFTHE B‘Ul!.DlNGSAT'l‘HENORWlCHSTi’fiE BIG INCREASE IN NUMBER OF PATIENTS AT THE STATE HOSPITAL. Daily Average in 1916 Was 1 ,227 as Compared With 998 in 1914-—Industrial Department at the Institution Showing Rapid Development— Acting Superintendent Thomas F. Erdman, M. D., Brings Successful Year to a Close. Under the guidance of Acting Superintendent Dr.-Thomas F. Erdman the Norwich Stats Hospital for the Insane has completed another successful year. The institution, which is now something over a dozen years old, i5 steadily growing and already there is need of additional buildings for- the accommodation of the 13200 and more patients who make up the population of this small sized city in Preston. Ia 1918 little construction work in the way of new buildings was carried on. There were however-a number of repairs and improvements which huve added to the gereral efficlency of the institution. Among the improvements might be mentioned the following: A large and modern washing machiné-his been installed in the Jaundry. The kitchen équipment has an improved meat slicing machin a new dishwasher. An icehouse, capacity n increased by the.addition of food Warming steam table and about 1,000 tons, has beeh completed. There has been constructed a small siaushter hous In the laboratory there has been placed a high spoed seroog- fcal centrifuge, the purchase of which was made necessamy..by the Swift-Ellis treatments The hospital staff remains practically the same as it has been for a vear or more. On September 15th of the vear just closed, Assistant Physician W. ¥: Wood left on a year's leave of absence. On the 13th of March, 1916, Dr. Gladys Brownell, who was for several years connected with Eoston University. School of Medicine and the M \usetts Homegpathic Hospitai was appointed pathologist. Dr. Brownell and Dr. M. S. -Bringman were married in November. Daily Average of 1,227 Patients. For the past year the Caily average of patients has been 1,227. Two years ago there were but 998. These figures show an Increase HOSPITAL DAM CONSTRUCTED BY FARM of 229 patients in two years. Twenty-one per ceént. of the total committments to the institution the past year have been dis- charged as normal. In 1915 the number discharged was 16 per cent. There have been no serious outbreaks of infectious dis- eases the past year and the kheaith of borh patients and employes has been good. In the past two years 162 registered at the in- stitution as voluntary patients. In the two years previous only 67 registered in this class. The total number of committments for the year was about 430. Dufing the two years just closed there have been aprrox- fmately 7,500 surgicai dressings of various kinds in the surgical room. At the close of the hospital year which was September 30th, the number of dressings for the two year period was 7,078. The institution dentist performed a total of 208 extractions. Treatments totaled 196, and fillings 116. He also did cleaning and repair work of various kinds. These.flgures are for the hospital year, which as above stated ended on Septemper 30. The Swift Ellis treatment has been inaugurated at the hospi- tal by Dr. E. Bverett Rowell, who has personally conducted clinics at the institution. Patients suffering from general paraly- sis of the insane or paresis or any form of cerebro-spinal syphilis are given this treatment. Many of these cases, were until recent- 1y considered hopeless. Considering the nature of the disease the results attained by this treatment at the State hospital have been quite satisfactory. Rapid Development in Industrial Department. The industrial department at the institution is'showing rapia development. In 1916 the receipts in this department amounted to $1,088.53, while in 1911 they amounted to but $748.93. This shows a marked increase and the hospital officials are looking for an even greater increase during the coming year. About the first of Fasbruary of last year, Dr. H. M. Pollock, who served as superintendent of the State hospital since it was opened in October, 1904, left the institution to accept a position as superintendent of the Massachusetts Homoepathic hospital at Boston where he has since besn located. When Dr. Pollock presented his resignation to the trustees of the State hospital they did not accept it but gave him a year's leave of absence, and it was under this arrangement that Dr. Pollock went to Boston as head of the Homeopathic hospital. He is still the superintendent of the local institution but the affuirs of the institution have been most zdmirably handled by Dr. Thomas F. Erdman who was appointed acting superintendsnt in Dr. Pollock’s absence. Dr. Erdman has heen connected with the State hospital since 1907, the year of his graduation from Hahnemann Medical colleze at Philadelp] In 1904 he grad- ‘uated from Albright college at Meyerstowg, Pa. To succeed Dr. Erdman as assistant superintendent, Dr. Bdward A. Bverct: is serving as acting assistant superintendent. It was on July 8, 1314, that he came to the Norwich State hospltal Since grad veting from New York Homoeopathic college in 1897 he has made a record as a specialist in mental and nervous disorders, For eizht years he was connected with the Middletown Stats hospital in New York and for eight years in private sanatorium work in New Yorx state. Enlarging Hospital Regervoir., The hospital autherities .have purchased additional land -at the institution so that it will be possible to raise the dam and enlarge the reservoir. It was during last summer that the work of raising the dam was started and it is now_in. progress. Ac- companying is & cut which shows the presént condition of tha hospital dam. The gate-house and the concrete core.wall nue' i been raised for a dlmncar of twelve feet and the new embank- ment is now well filled in. . The work has been done by the in- mmates at the State farm whv take much ingerest and pride in the improvement. OVER ONE HUNDRED INMATES AT THE STATE FARM FOR INEBRIATES. How the Farm Builds Up Moral and Physical Strength of the Unfortundte Victims of Alco- hol—Construction Werk Carried on Since the Opening of the Home Less Than Two Years Ago. Begun without an appropriation in the spring of 1915, not yet two vears ago, made ready for occupancy within a period of months from the date of its inception, the State Farm for s conducted in conmectlon with the Norwich State Hos- pital for the Insane has now more than one hundred.inmates. The farm is now.prac xchHy self sustaining and its value to the state is rapid In 1574 a law cnacted by the general assembly of this state authorized the committment of such persons as are now found .at the State farm to 2 Dbriate asylum. The perisd of com- mittment s to range from to twelve months. ' If it were found that the person w n‘ac the committment could be extended to a th ar A dozen vears later an amendment made it possible to commit an inebriate to the cus- tody of a sul Although the law as amended made it possible to s te to a private institution for treat- ment he could only <re when his financial resources were h to pav for a Jail the Only Resource. place open to the committment of the m. of aleohol or narcotics was the J And to zes of the city courts had to send the rounders as the habitual ds are often called. Sentences of ten, thirty, sixty or ninety days were pronounced on these men and back they went to remain in confinement with little or no work to take up their ti and without treatment to lessen in any way their craving for alcohol. “ Freed from harred cells, sent out into Accordingly fortunate v this place the the only INMATES THIS PAST FALL B S — the street with little or no hope of finding employment, they would slip in through the ever open door of the saloon and a morning or two afterwards would find them back before the city court judge. Realizing more and more the need of a state institution to which these unfortunates should be sent to receive proper care and treatment, civic and medical organizations took the matter up. The result was that in 1913 the State Legislature passed an act appropriating the Sum of $100,000 fcr the establishment of a state farm for inebriates, but the act failed to receive executive approval. Two years later a like biil Was introduced and when it was seen that the bill would fail passage because of other de- mands on the finances of the state, the board of trustees of the ich State Hospital for the Insane suggested that an insti- tution of the character asked for in the bill might be established on a site, the Gallup Farm, near the’hospital and corducted in connection with the institution. A bill embodying this suggestion was prepared, presented to the committee on appropriations, was favorably reported, passed both Houses of the Assembly, and on May 19, 1915, was approved by Governor Marcus H. Holcomb. The' Gallup Farm Secured. The Gallup Farm, purchased from the Lucas estate at n cost of $4,500, covers about 100 acres, is located about two and one- half miles east of the State Hospital and borders the Norwich and Westerly trolley tracks. The farm secured, the board com- menced the remodeling of the buildings and other changes neces- sary were made. On November 22nd, 1915, the first transfers were made from the main hospital. When an inebriate committed to the State Farm arrives to begin his sentence he is taken first to the State Hospital. There he undergoes a rigid physical examination and a complete farm and personal history is taken. Other facts, such as the lensth of time he has been addicted to the use of intoxicants and the rum- ber of prison or jail sentences he has had imposed on him are ascertained. He is then put to bed and is given treatment as his condition warrants. Finally the inmate is transferred to the farm and is put to work at his former trade or occupation if such s possiblo. At the farm doors and windows are free from bar and lock and the inmate is allowed hearly as much freedom as he would have In his own home. He entscs and leaves the farmhouse at his pleas- ure. Six-thirty is tke time for breakfast. During the day he is employed in variqus work about the farm. The evening is his own. He may read or white or spend the time in harmless amuse- ments and at 9 o'clock “turn in” to prapare for another day. Better Able to Face Life’s Responsibilities. ‘When he has served his time he goes back home strengthened physically and morally and much better able to take up lite’s résponsibilities once more. The work in and about the farm such as cooking, looking efter the buildings, caring for the livestock and poultry, planting and harvesting the crops on the farmland is all done by the inmates making the institution practically seif-sustaining. Construction work carried out at the farm since ‘the opening ‘includes a root cellar, twe laying houses, 20x40 for the poultry plant, two breeding houses, 16x16, and a small struc- tyre for the storage of grain. Much stone and drush have been cleared from the land and roads and walks have been lald out. Fifteen acres cultivated the past summer yiclded a very good harvest. total of 225 bushels of potatoes, 200 bushels of fleld cern, 80 bushels of turnips and 70 bushels of beets and carrots, twenty tons of hay, four tons of fodder, oats and a large quan- _tity of summer, vegetables-appear on the farm books for last fall’s h-rvest A small fiock of henn, a'few guinea fowls and turkeys have ‘increased to mafly 900 chlckens, 36 turkeys and 38 guinea fowls. & number of the inbidtes have been employed in enlarging the hospital dam and resersoir,and nearby farmers have given empioyment to them. ‘But’two men have been regularly em- ployed at the farm as it was only when closer supervision was required in the (‘Dnsuuctlon ot the hospltal dam that a third man was employed. g Cost of Conducting Farm. Sifhce the farni was started ihere pas been expended and charged to the: plant gaccount the sum of $9,387.54. The net cost of conducting the staté farm during the year wag a little mor than $10,000. Over $2,000 of this ount was paid to the s hoepital for board and care of ‘inmates while underzoing treat- ment and aw: ng transfer to the farm. Other expenditures were: i Administration expense, $301.Z cloth $756.84; farm and grounds, $309. pay of employcs, $1,085.27; re STATE FARM AFFORDS ADMIRABLE SUBSTITUTE FOR COUNTY JALL. food, $4,871 Chaplain’s Aim is to Minister to Inmates as a Preacher of Christ and as a Friend—Men Re- riember and Appraciate the Help He Has Been 1~ Able to Give Them. (Requested) \ The State Farm for Inebriates, after a liftls more than a vear of its history, can now speak for itself and justify in large measure, the hopes and claims of its friends and founders. The institution is now ests hed on a pr=tty good work- ing basis and provides quite amply for the needs of its inmat. fortunate, flording an adm for the county Personally I sincerely trust that as we know By this no n-mc sm i3 mes: m' of thosa nstitution. good one jailor whe, nsiderate and kind hich he filled, It is the If the purpose of punishmer county. jail -defeats, that purpose, If its purposa is the mowal reform of the offender. still more so. The bolts and bar ugly naitow cells, the loss of liberty, and other pri the disgrace of it a se facts go 2 place of perniclous influence. Tho many instances the breeding nlace o Men go forth from its walls often times worse than when they enter them. With eourage gone. spirit crushed, an awful sense of shame and disgrace, with socisty’s frown upon them, they feel that there is littie incentive left, to lead a sober or a decent life. perhaps in jail. will cease to exist. direct charge of such fortune to know man most the place a especiall ywtem itself that is merely to protect soc: State Farm a Striking Contrast. The State Farm for Inebriates, presents a striking contra to all this. It has neither bolts nor bars, no iron rooms with clean comfortable beds. The men are human beings, not as a lot of anifhals. The honor system ploved and it is gratifying to observe how rarely they abusc ths confldence that is placed in themi. The men are allowed to w: the farm property, and those who prove themselves beyond. They are permitied to g0 to church unaccompa an attendant. Recreation tertainments occasionally ied b is furnished in indoor games and en- given at the State The_position of chaplain to such an institu Farm for Inebrictes. might seem to be a difficult ‘and even deli- cate one, in view of the fact that so many of the inmates arc of the Roman Catholic Faith. whereas the chaplain is an ccpalian. As a matter of fact, however, my relations with men at the Farm have apparently been most satis: It has been my aim, in any services which I have held, avoid touching on theological subjects except those polnts whi are commonly accepted by both the Roman Catholi Protestant bodies. I have never urged any of the Rom olic Faith to attend my own ci , nor should T ev ing so. Some of the m ttended church nearl y and scme for a lo; rearly every Sunday As a Proacher of Christ. the men, T have been able to heip in some speci they have showed themselves to be most grateful. to me from tho: 1o in n as the State service., membered and appreciated; and t e of the men a the State the motives for establishing and conducting the institution think that it is a money-makinz scheme and at ti They do not seem to realize how much it costs to titution and how much they themselves are indebied to it, the privileges which they enjoy. Such criticism may even get into the newspape do, however, it will he well to ¢ er that they m result of misconception and prejudice. Some of the best testimonies In favo from men who have appreciated the benefits which the I have‘sougnt to im upon the men the need of o to the rules of the institution. 1 have urged them not to attempt to escape. If the: r of the Farm v and who will tell the tr eived w i I have tried to le’fl'A.l: FOR THE INSANE show them the duty of fair play toward oré’ another; them realize that when one or mote individunls ‘abused his privie they made it hard for the whole bddy, and helped to take y- the latter's privilege I have spol 1 previous article, before of the meed of eading matter Some response lias héen received, but ‘thore' is need o both ‘currént” and '61& publications, ‘as well leges, aw for as books would be welcomed. REV. L. C: PURNE, lain State Farm. STATE FARM POULTRY PLANT, Started About a Yeor Ago With-Little or no Equip- ment, the Plant Has Made Rapid Progress— Superintendent W. J. Tilley Intends to Build Up a Crack Laying Strain. Since the State Farm for Inebriates was started the poultry plant under tho superintendency of W. J. Tilley, an expcrienced pouitry man, has made rapid strides. It is really just beginning for when s vember 21, 1815, it had little or no equip- ment. Un (hat de ~.. Tilley picked out 100 of the best hens ot the State hospital kerals from one of the k breeders in the country . 2 cu tor at {he hos- pital swas taken the farm, flve colony’ brooders were trans- crred; and an ol wagon shed:at ‘the farm- was altered over 1to 2 henhouse. At the very begipning the. preject: was-handi- capped on account of white diarrhoea which went through the flock, {he ‘mortality being about fifty per cent. There at the State farm al vigorous birds. Of the pullets notiing about 60 egzgs a day, time of y This past are no ut ‘400 ‘layers, all strong hateled 125 are’ laving and are a ‘phencmimal percentage for this fall two laying houses were built, both in size and of the sem!-monitor type, each accom- 0 hens. Each house has two prns Two open front © been bullt. These are 16x16 feet and are divid- The first of the scason they are to be used ten hens and a rooster in a pen. After the removed to the laying house the partition is breeding house is thus turned into a brooder for the r‘V‘lr‘:" These houses will accommodate about 500 chicks cach. soon as the chickens reach the stage where they do not require the service of a bronder house to keep them warm the stoyeg ars removed and. the hroodey BRusa Psaomes.a.colony howdb, = * f A When the chickens are old enough so that their sex-ean be dis: hed the puilets are moved to a larger colony - house, the partitions are returned and the cockerals placed in the pens to y s system Mr. T y uses the houses the year round. modating houses have a two parts. with An accurate record is kept of the number of eggs each hen s. A1l hens with a record of 200 or more eggs ars separated and their eggs used to produce cockeral breeding season the year following. Mr. Tilley proposes to p and maintain as good a laying strain as o is in the country. The id in establishing the poultry planf'is to have a plant ge_enough to supply the hospital and farm with fresh ezgs nd poultry.and Mr. Tilley fecls that:there is no doubt but that accomplished within three or four years. Mr: Tilley 1k ing of turkeys at the farm-on’a small scale proved very successful. s taken t and it has SHORE LINE ELECTRIC NOW OPERATES APPROXIMATELY 240 MILES, Grose Earnings of Varicus Properties Somewhat Greater in 1916 But Net is Unsatisfactory Ow- ing to Increase in Operating Expenses. During the year of 1916 a consolidation of variot sertles has taken place so that now under the owne 1ore Line Electric Railway company is included y the New London and Bast Lyme Str ail the Groton Stoning treet Railway ‘compan: Norwich & vy Traction eompany and the 6 Ashaws resterly R mpany, so that the total mileage of v owned, is about. 174 miles, and. leased al of, approximaiely, 240 miles owned trolley hip of 108 and spmewhat increase in earnings of thé properties have bes 1915 because of, the very large the net is unsatisfdctory. matter of passengers carpied,-& comparison with last ing to the change in the method . The number. of passengers-carried in (partly es is 14,320,838, There have been but few changes made in the propefty dur- ing the year, except in the matter of consoMdation. A sub-station has been built ‘at New Léndon“and a new high tension transmission line constructed ‘from Norwich to New London and from New London to Watérford, so that today the high tension transmission line ‘connedts the power stations at Saybrook and Thamesville and,fh turn, théy ars connected with the hydraulic station near Danieclson, on the Quinebaug.. Some minor changes have becn made in tho track'and the géneral phy- sical condition of the property materfally improved. more than in sperating ex In the vear is pra of selling 1916 - 8 : § £ 4 H & H H [ S —— PETTT anva . . T T—— P — O RTEAERREYS Svarvaruasasnsazanes