service, with the respect and confidence of the managers of the institution and the entire community to whom her services are known. We fully indorse all the Superintendent has said in his report of the efficiency and faithfulness of all the officers and employes of the institution. The population of the Hospital, larger at times than ever before in the history of the institution, has been particularly exempt from any continued, contagious or epidemic diseases, and we believe has had a larger share of physical and mental comfort than usually falls to the lot of the asylum inmate. It has been the policy of the Superintendent, which we commend, to give as unrestricted liberty to all inmates as is compatible with their own safety and good, and that of the community. In doing this some risks must be assumed; patients will frequently escape; but we believe the amount of harm resulting from this freedom of movement is infinitesmally small when compared with the good results which are apparent. The following tables show, in a general way, the movement of the population for the biennial period: There were in this hospital for treatment at the beginning of the period, July 1st, 1887 Males Total 444 347 791 There has been admitted into the Hospital during the biennial period Males. Total There has been discharged during the two years, cured Males. 348 282 630 149 215 Unimproved Males.. Females.. Total Died Males. Females. Total Total discharged Males.. Total There are in the Hospital, June 30th, 1889 Males.. Females, Total 98 55 153 68 56 124 396 259 655 396 370 766 We refer to the report of the Superintendent for more elaborate statistical tables. The last legislature made the following appropriations: For finishing and furnishing rear center building..... .$ 5,000 For cast iron water-main to connect with water-works of Independence.... For two pianos, a billiard table and a printing press.. The amount appropriated to finish and furnish rear center building has been expended for that purpose, and we now have a much improved kitchen and bakery, with larger and more economically arranged store-rooms, with much needed lodging and day-room for employes. WATER SUPPLY. During the last biennial period preceding the one for which this report is made, an emergency arose which made it necessary to lay in mid-winter a water-pipe to connect with the water-works of the city of Independence. The condition of the finances of the Hospital were such that we were obliged to use smaller pipe than the subsequent needs of the Hospital required. With $8,000 of the $10,000 appropriated by the last general assembly, we have laid a six-inch cast iron main about 9,000 feet, weighing forty pounds to the foot, to connect with the water-works of the city of Independence. This pipe also surrounds the entire Hospital building, is supplied with twelve double-nozzle Ludlow hydrants, and affords, we believe, ample fire protection to the entire premises, and supplies us with an adequate amount of the best water for cooking, drinking, irrigating, bathing, steam purposes, etc. The Board of Trustees have contracted with the city of Independence to furnish water to the Hospital for ten years at a cost of seven cents for 1,000 gallons, with water for fire purposes free. We are receiving an average of 65,000 gallons daily. THE FARM. The farm known as the "Smyzer farm," one hundred and eighty acres, situated south and adjoining the Hospital farm, was purchased at a cost of $6,485.75. The farm now comprises 580 acres, which enables us to raise all the vegetables and small fruits used in the Hospital, as well as a large amount of fodder and grass. It gives the best employment to a large number of male patients. It is yearly increasing in productiveness, and by its products materially decreases the cost of the maintenance of patients. A still larger farm would be profitable to the State. ENLARGEMENT OF THE CHAPEL. Of the amount appropriated for the enlargement of the chapel, and placing a gallery in the same, no part has been expended. Work will be finished during the year. ORNAMENTATION OF THE GROUNDS. Two thousand dollars were appropriated for improving and ornamenting the grounds. The Trustees, after a careful consideration of the matter, engaged Mr. J. Weidenmann, of New York city, to prepare maps, plans and specifications for the carrying on of this work. Mr. Weidenmann comes to us most highly recommended for the work, not only by people from Eastern States, but by the Iowa Capitol Commissioners, under whose direction he prepared plans for improving the Capitol grounds. LAUNDRY MACHINERY. The amount appropriated for washing machinery and mangle has been expended in the purchase of two new machines and one steam mangle. With this improved and increased machinery the facilities for washing and ironing are much better than ever before. The washing-room on the first floor, the drying-room on the third, and the ironing-room on the second floor, all connected by a steam lift, have all been improved and perfected during the last two years, and we now have a very complete laundry, which, with a little change, will supply the needs of the institution for some years. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND PRINTING PRESS. Seven hundred and fifty dollars, appropriated for musical instruments and a printing press, have been expended by the purchase of two pianos, one printing press and one billiard table. LOW PRESSURE STEAM HEATING. We have continued the work of changing to low pressure steam heating with the amount appropriated for that purpose, and will be able now to complete the work by drawing moderately from time to time on the repair and contingent fund. REPAIR AND CONTINGENT FUND. Three thousand dollars annually was appropriated for repair and contingent fund. Of this, $4,733.28.has been expended. RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES. The receipts and expenditures for the biennial period are set forth in the following table: The requisitions drawn upon the Auditor of State to supply the deficiencies in the support fund have been based on fourteen dollars per month for seven quarters, and sixteen dollars per month for one quarter. APPROPRIATIONS. The appropriations asked for are smaller than ever before. They are, in the main, simply for continuation of work already begun, or pertain to special departments which, by the increased capacity of the Hospital, require enlargement and improvement. |