Recapitulation of requests of the State hospitals for appropriations for new construction or permanent betterments, and repairs for 1918-1919

INSPECTIONS OF STATE HOSPITALS AND PRIVATE LICENSED INSTITUTIONS

In accordance with the provisions of section 8 of article 2 of the Insanity Law, the Commission has made two or more visits to each of the State hospitals and private licensed institutions during the year. The wards, kitchens, dining rooms, storehouses, workshops and farms and gardens were inspected, and careful inquiry concerning the care and treatment of patients was made. In spite of the overcrowding and the shortage of help in all of the State hospitals, a high standard of care was everywhere evident.

An important feature of the second visit of the Commission to the hospitals each year is the conference held with the board of managers and the superintendent relative to the improvement of the hospital and the appropriations to be requested therefor.

The Commission's medical inspector visits each of the institutions at least four times during the year. He inquires carefully into the medical work done at each institution, and examines all new patients admitted. He investigates the complaints of patients and employees, and the causes of accidents and homicides, and makes detailed reports of his findings to the Commission.

Dr. Walter G. Ryon, who had been medical inspector during the past five years, resigned on May 1, 1917, to become superintendent of the Hudson River State Hospital, and Dr. Marcus B. Heyman, assistant superintendent of the Central Islip State Hospital, was appointed medical inspector. Dr. Heyman served in this position but one month, as he assumed the duties of superintendent of the Manhattan State Hospital on June 1, 1917. Dr. John L. Van De Mark, medical examiner of the Bureau of Deportation, was assigned to the work of the medical inspector during the month of June.

The inspector of buildings and engineering visits the hospitals from time to time to inspect the progress of construction work and to advise with the superintendents and managers relative to proposed improvements and additions. He also advises with the Commission in respect to heating plants, water supply systems, sewage disposal plants and other engineering projects.

As previously noted, the Commission appointed Mr. John T. Norton inspector of dairy products on November 2, 1916. He is recognized as a leading expert in this field, and is of great help to the hospitals in assisting them in securing high-grade dairy products at favorable prices.

Inspector John J. Riley makes special inspections and investigations of conditions at the State hospitals as required by the Commission.

The details of the work of the inspectors are given in their separate reports which are included in this volume.

NEW LEGISLATION AFFECTING THE STATE HOSPITAL DEPARTMENT

Chapter 355 of the Laws of 1917 amends the Insanity Law in relation to the salary of agents, making possible the payment of the rate of $6 per day to the agent in charge of collections in New York City.

Chapter 335 of the Laws of 1917 amends the Insanity Law in relation to the parole of patients, by enabling the superintendent to grant a parole to a patient not exceeding one year under general conditions prescribed by the Commission. The previous limit was six months.

Chapter 286 of the Laws of 1917 amends the wage schedule of the State hospital employees by adding $2 per month to the minimum and $5 per month to the maximum paid the various employees in the State hospital service.

Chapter 320 of the Laws of 1917 amends the Insanity Law in relation to clothing and money furnished discharged or paroled patients by adding the word "paroled," thereby making it possible to furnish clothing and money to paroled patients in the same manner as they may now be furnished to discharged patients, in accordance with section 95 of the Insanity Law.

Chapter 238 of the Laws of 1917 creates the Hospital Development Commission, defining its powers and duties, and authorizes contracts for new buildings in connection with the Utica State Hospital on the Marcy site, at a cost not exceeding $1,250,000. It also authorizes contracts for construction of buildings at the Middletown State Hospital at a cost not exceeding $369,000, $299,254.85 being directly appropriated for immediate use in