NEWS OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICE FOR QUAR

TER ENDING JUNE 30, 1916

GENERAL ITEMS

Dr. E. M. Somers, Superintendent of Brooklyn State Hospital, submitted his resignation to the Board of Managers in June, to take effect August 1, 1916. The vacancy was filled by the appointment of Dr. Isham G. Harris, formerly superintendent of the Mohansic State Hospital.

Dr. Michael Osnato, medical deputy in charge of the Bureau of Deportation, resigned June 30, 1916. Dr. Harris was appointed medical examiner and served from July 1, to August 1, 1916.

Mr. John J. Riley of Albany was appointed from the civil service eligible list to the position of general inspector on July 21, 1916.

Mr. John T. Norton of New York City was provisionally appointed butter inspector on July 1, 1916. A civil service examination for this position will be held in August, 1916.

Mr. Everitt C. Countryman was transferred from the State Industrial Commission to the position of voucher clerk in the office of the Commission on July 1, 1916.

The Purchasing Committee of the State hospitals is recognized in the appropriation bill for the current year as a separate bureau of the State Hospital Commission, and funds are directly appropriated for its maintenance. Heretofore it has been necessary to prorate the expenses of the Committee among the several hospitals.

The appropriation bill for the year 1916-1917 is planned to provide adequate funds for the maintenance of the several hospitals without the customary appropriation of the board moneys received by the hospitals. This leaves no uncertainty as to the amount each hospital is to receive, and obviates the necessity of a special appropriation in the supply bill of next year.

NEW HOSPITAL FEATURES: CONSTRUCTION, CHANGES IN CAPACITY, ADMINISTRATION, OCCUPATION, AMUSEMENTS, ETC.

UTICA

There has been no new construction at this institution during the past three months.

The capacity of the hospital as certified by the State Hospital Commission November 18, 1915, is 1,382; 653 men and 729 women.

On May 25, 82 men and 22 women patients attended Barnum and Bailey's circus.

A new motion picture machine has been purchased to replace one which was worn out.

HUDSON RIVER

Tile floors were laid in the male and female dining rooms in the reception hospital, replacing wooden floors which had become unsanitary.

Additions were made to the porches of cottage two and the administration part of the reception hospital, making two story porches instead of one.

There has been no change in the certified capacity which remains 1,310 men, 1,490 women, a total of 2,800.

BUFFALO

No new hospital construction was begun or finished during this quarter, nor were any appropriations for construction made by the legislature.

The capacity of this institution-1,704, remains as it has for a long time, the only addition for a number of years being the addition of 20 beds in the cottage caring for men suffering from tuberculosis.

The census on June 30 was 2,136, and there has been a steady increase for a long time, this quarter being no exception. The number on parole on June 30, viz., 63, is not included in the above.

BINGHAMTON

The new building for 300 women patients is nearly completed and will doubtless be occupied early in the coming fall; an additional 500 horse power water tube boiler is now being installed at the power plant; plans and specifications are being prepared for an addition to our laundry and its equipment, an appropriation of $32,000 having been obtained for this purpose.

ST. LAWRENCE

Additional drying cabinets have been allowed for the laundry.
Additional cement walks have been constructed.

The legislature made an appropriation for the construction of a roof over the coal pit. This will provide storage facilities for 5,000 tons of coal.

Two modern bakery ovens have been allowed.

An additional farm building has also been allowed by the legislature.

May 19-21 the students of the senior class of Syracuse University, medical department, visited the hospital. They were given instruction in psychiatry. Clinics were held at which cases were demonstrated. The methods of caring for various classes of patients were

shown and papers on psychiatric subjects were read by members of the staff.

June 19 one member of the staff and 17 employees left the hospital in response to a call from the National Guard, State of New York, for service.

ROCHESTER

Arrangements have been made to work on shares 70 acres of land, part of which is near the hospital and part adjoining the Lake farm. No new construction is being carried on.

No increased accommodation for patients allowing for capacity change has been made.

GOWANDA

Addition to the shop building is completed. This addition is 24 feet by 90 feet and will provide a room for the mason, where cement blocks and tile will be manufactured; a varnishing room for the painter; store room for lumber; and a more suitable place for the fire departments, hose carts and hook and ladder truck.

A new vitrified grey tile floor was laid in the bakery.

Tile, for the construction of a three hundred ton silo, was purchased for the purpose of replacing two old wooden silos which are beyond repair.

Material was purchased to repair the sills on the porches of the administration building, East and West wings. These porches have been in bad condition and greatly in need of repair. Material was also purchased and the work commenced on remodeling the old green house.

Efforts are being made to afford the patients more varied amusement. In this connection the Commission allowed the purchase of various games, a victrola and records. The employees' band has given from three to five concerts each week. Moving pictures, in connection with band concerts on the lawn Friday evenings, continue to afford popular diversion.

KINGS PARK

The work of construction of the additions to Groups 2 and 3 is in progress and it is hoped that the additions will be ready for occupancy by October 1, 1916. The additions, however, can only be partly utilized due to the item of furniture being cut from the appropriation bill.

An item of $30,000.00 in the appropriation bill, for additional funds for the construction of the employees' home, was disapproved, which has made it necessary for the State Hospital Commission, the managers and the superintendent to hold a conference with the State architect, with a view of preparing different plans and specifications.

At the refrigeration plant new ammonia heating coils have been put in. An old steam brine circulating pump has been taken out and

a new electrical motor driven pump installed. By making these changes the capacity of the refrigeration plant was increased, and at the same time the cost of the operation of the plant was reduced through the institution being able to lower the steam pressure on the lines running to the refrigeration plant. Due to the increased capacity of the refrigeration plant we were able to construct an additional refrigeration room in which to refrigerate cereals during the summer, so as to keep the cereals free of bugs and worms which develop rapidly near the seashore.

The usual recreations according to the season continue. The baseball season opened on Decoration Day. The basket ball class has been transferred from the amusement hall to the outdoor courts. The moving picture machine has been brought up to date, being supplied with all the latest attachments and, in addition, a Powers Dissolving Stereopticon has been added to the moving picture apparatus. Two sets of ten pins and half a dozen new balls have been purchased for the bowling alleys. Six new phonographs and one hundred fourteen records have recently been purchased for use on the wards, and also twenty card tables and twenty checker boards.

BROOKLYN

Ground was broken about the middle of June for the construction of two new buildings for the additional accommodation of patients. One building will accommodate about 160 patients, while the other will accommodate about 440 patients.

Tennis, basket ball and other outdoor amusements have been enjoyed during the summer. An average of 61 patients attend the occupation class, where they sew and embroider and do other light work. A tea party is held for them every Thursday afternoon. The weekly dances have been dispensed with during the warm weather.

The amusement hall and work shop have been moved from the close proximity of the main building. A new automobile truck has been put in service.

MANHATTAN

The two new buildings, the one for 200 women patients and the other for 150 men patients are well advanced toward completion. When ready for occupancy these buildings will increase our total capacity by 350 (200 female division, 150 male division).

The work on the new power house is advancing quite rapidly. The iron frame work of the building is up and the brick work of the walls has been started.

There are no special changes in administration.

Through the kindness of Mr. Dominick Buckley three entertainments have been given, one sparring exhibition and two vaudeville and moving picture exhibitions.