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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES.

To the Legislature of the State of New York:

The undersigned Trustees of the Willard Asylum for the Insane, herewith present their fourth annual report.

On the 1st day of December, 1872, there were 672 insane persons in this asylum, 229 males and 433 females. The permanent increase during the year was 145, to wit: 118 males and twenty-seven females. For the full particulars and statistics relating to patients, as well as to number received, cared for and discharged during the year, we refer you to the accompanying report of the medical superintendent. There are patients here from forty-eight different counties. Since the first of December last there have been additions to the number, making it 684 on the 1st of January, 1873.

It will be remembered that none are received here but chronic cases, and only on the order of the superintendents of the poor of the counties. Although their derangement, in most cases, is of long standing, yet it is neither true nor fair to characterize them, as is sometimes done, "incurable," and certainly not as cases beyond improvement; for it has been demonstrated by actual result that many are improved by removal and treatment here, some are cured and restored to friends, and the condition of all is improved and made more comfortable. Who, will be classed with the improved and cured in 1873, it would be difficult now to predict, but that quite a number will be thus classed, we have no doubt. Whatever may be the result, these most unfortunate of our people are entitled to good care, kindness, sympathy and protection. They are liable to the common physical ailments incident to humanity, in addition to their mental derangement, and they need constant attention, for, with reason dethroned, and reduced to pauperism, they cannot take care of themselves.

With this report we transmit the report of the treasurer, showing the expenditures for buildings, etc., and for maintenance of patients during the year ending November 30th, 1872.

By a law enacted by the last Legislature, we were directed to charge to the counties sending patients here, the whole of the actual cost of their maintenance. Upon an examination of the expenses of the past year, we fixed the amount at three dollars per week for each patient. This charge to the counties, was an increase of one dollar per week, the State having made an appropriation in former years to meet the difference. The change in the price charged, took effect October 1st, 1872. The cost of maintenance, carefully kept since, has varied but a few cents from the above named sum. We shall endeavor to keep it down to this sum, giving to the patient proper attendance and wholesome food in abundance. The manifest improvement in the physical condition of the persons received here, attests the fact, that they are well provided for, in all these respects. During the year, we have completed the north wing extension, and it is now occupied. Three of the detached buildings are now so far completed and fitted with furniture, steam, water and gas, as to be ready for occupancy. The overcrowded north wing will then be relieved, by the removal of patients to the detached buildings; and, with the applications now on file, it is expected, they will soon be filled. The determination to heat the detached buildings by steam, necessitated the erection of a boiler-house for boilers, as well as extensive piping and heating radiators, which involved an expenditure beyond the cost of furnaces. We deemed it better, safer, and in the end more economical, to warm the same by steam.

At the Branch (former College building), as a prudential measure, we have removed the boilers from the basement of the building occupied by patients, and have placed them in a separate boiler-house disconnected from the main building. Near this building we have located a water cistern with a capacity of twelve hundred barrels. The steam fire-engine is located in the boiler-house, and, thus contiguous to the water, will be constantly ready for use in case of fire.

The defective sewerage of former years has been effectually remedied by extending a large iron pipe, well leaded, far into Seneca lake (lying adjacent to the asylum premises). The effect upon the health of the inmates of the Asylum from this improvement, has been salutary. As now arranged, it is permanent, and will require but little if any additional expense, for a long time. In all that has been done this year, we have kept constantly in view stability and permanence, believing that the interests of the State and asylum have by this course been best promoted.

In providing a permanent supply of water, we have enlarged the

upper reservoir, largely increasing its capacity, placed in the pumphouse at the lake, a large Worthington duplex-pump, extended an eight-inch pipe, two hundred and eighty feet into the lake, thus securing pure water; also, an eight-inch pipe from the pump-house to the main buildings and from thence to the lower reservoir, have laid a six-inch pipe. With these improvements and facilities we have every reason to believe that a constant supply of wholesome water, in abundance, is assured for many years. The lower reservoir should be lined with stone, which may be done at a comparatively trifling expense, say $3,000. This would prevent the wash of banks, besides keeping the water clean and pure.

During the year we have constructed a breakwater two hundred and fifty feet into the lake; have also added two hundred feet of shore dock and dredged a channel, so that loaded boats can discharge at the shore dock, thus furnishing a safe and convenient harbor for the landing and storage of coal and material for the Asylum. We have placed in front of the Asylum a sea-wall, five feet and a half high and seven hundred feet long. The extreme low water of the spring and summer enabled us to place this wall some sixty feet from the banks of the lake, and this space was filled in with the earth removed in the grading of the grounds about the Asylum. Thus we have added several acres to the lawn in front of the Asylum, adding not only to its extent, but to its beauty and usefulness. The stone portico has been added to the center building during the year, and the unfinished portions of the building, including railing to stairway, front door, etc., have been completed, and the center building may now be pronounced finished, except portions of the basement and cellars, which may hereafter be brought into use, if required.

The two dormitory buildings provided for last year, are inclosed, roofed, and the wood-work, except flooring, nearly done. They will be plastered, floored, and ready to be occupied by the first of May or June next.

The chapel has been furnished with a suitable organ, chestnut cased, trimmed with black walnut mouldings; the expense of which, $1,000, has been paid from a fund created by the sale of hides and skins of animals slaughtered for the use of the Asylum. The chapel is now completed, except the furniture, which has been ordered, and is to be of a plain, durable character.

A laundry has been fitted up, and is now nearly complete, with capacity sufficient to do the washing, drying and ironing for the

whole establishment. The room temporarily in use was found inadequate, nor could it have been well enlarged, and as this was one of the absolute necessities of the Alum, we deemed it best to construct an enlarged laundry and provide it with all the latest and best appliances for washing, wringing and drying clothes for a large establishment. Although attended with large expense, we do not think there can be a doubt as to its necessity and real economy. It will soon be completed and in operation. The difficulty in procuring the necessary machinery and machines, has caused some delay, but we expect they will soon be ready, when we hope to have a laundry adapted to the whole establishment.

In addition to the above work, there has been laid down during the year a large amount of sewer pipe to meet the requirements of the five detached buildings. The sewerage of the Branch has also been extended. Ample brick culverts have also been made near the lake, to carry away the water from, and to protect the roads, sea-wall and docks. A large portion of the grading both in front and rear of the Asylum has been done, and some of the permanent roads have been begun.

It will be seen, from the above, that a large amount of work has been performed during the year, and, beside the outside work, additional rooms and accommodations have been added for about 225 patients. In our judgment, no unnecessary work has been done, and no expenditures made, not actually required for the economical administration of the institution. All has been economically and prudently done. The grading, in front of and about the main Asylum building should be completed, and the grounds put in better order. The buildings at this point being complete, and no others to be added, these improvements may now be finished, and the lawns, yards and walks arranged, fenced and made permanent. When done, this will add greatly to the convenience of the institution, as well as the beauty of the grounds and the comfort of the patients.

Our estimates for the year include the completion and furnishing steam, water, gas-piping and heating apparatus of the detached buildings; grading about the main Asylum and the five detached buildings; fencing yards and grounds adjacent to them, and the Branch; for outside iron stairs for the north wing; stone steps at the circular corridors; for two flights of iron stairs in north and south wing coalhouse; track and hoisting apparatus at the lake, and for coal-houses at the Branch and detached buildings. We also add an estimate for

another group of five detached buildings for females, similar to the five already erected for males, thus adding rooms and accommodations for 200 patients more, making, who completed, beds and accommodations for 1,100 of the chronic pauper insane of the State.

Our estimate is that all the above named additions, improvements and buildings can be made and completed for $200,000. This includes $20,000 for a repair and contingent fund. This latter item we regard as important, for in so large an establishment there is constant decay, damage and destruction, with a constant demand for repairs. On account of the defective character of the plastering of the first wings, they should be entirely re-plastered, and must be, before they can be kept in good order. By the enactment of last year we are required to charge to the counties only the actual cost of maintenance. We are left really without funds for repairs. There are frequent accidents, such as the breaking of the banks of the reservoirs (which has occurred twice during the year); the washing away of culverts and bridges, and many other unforeseen casualties, and to meet which, we have no fund to draw upon. We have, therefore, inserted in our estimates, the item of $20,000, for the purpose of meeting these emergencies, for repairing damages and general wear and tear, occurring both inside and outside the buildings.*

With these details of the year's operations and estimates for the year to come, we deem it proper to submit some views touching the general subject of care of the insane in some of its public aspects. Another year's experience has still more satisfied us of the wisdom and humanity which prompted the founding of this Asylum. We have watched its opening and development with much interest as well as anxiety. It has now passed from an experiment and become a permanent reality. All doubts are solved, all fears allayed; the institution has assumed large proportions, and is generally admitted to be a success. In less than three years from its opening it had gathered into its protecting halls and ministered to more than 800 persons, with "minds diseased." The greatest number of these were from the poor-houses, and were the very worst cases of the neglected and forlorn pauper insane of the State. Some of these have been returned to their friends improved, a few cured, some have died, and there still remain 672 in comfortable quarters, with good care, with wholesome food and kindly treatment, and, in addition, they are

Since writing the above, the roof of the gas-house has been destroyed by fire, doing some damage to the works, aside from the roof.

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