The cottage in the grove near the power house, which was moved from the group of farm buildings several years ago and has since been used as a quarantine cottage, has been remodeled and will be occupied by the supervisor of farm industries. The exterior woodwork of the hospital and many of the wards, corridors and dormitories have been repainted. A new skylight has been placed on the laundry building. Eight chicken colony houses have been built in accordance with plans and specifications from the Department of Poultry Husbandry, New York State College of Agriculture, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. Alterations and repairs have been made in the basement of the farm cottage to provide proper incubator room and temporary storage for eggs. A new feed water heater was installed. The Legislature first. made an appropriation for this in 1916, but it could not be completed owing to the increased cost and insufficient funds, until an additional appropriation was made last year. Additions to equipment were made in the purchase of comptometer, indicator recorder, Venturi hot water heater, indicating pyrometer, precision dead beat indicating draft gauges, Buckeye mammoth incubator, seven colony brooders, mowing machine, corn planter, potato digger, thirteen new James Way stanchions and calf pens. One "E-B" 12-20 tractor and one Case 9-18 tractor were turned over to the hospital without cost by the State Department of Farms and Markets. The transfer to the State of the Dodman farm is still delayed owing to the difficulty in securing a clear title. The Deputy Attorney-General in charge of the matter expects to complete the transaction before fall. The State Engineer made a survey of the property and found that the farm consists of 183.814 acres. Expenditures: FINANCIAL Maintenance Special fund Annual per capita cost of maintenance.. Number of private and reimbursing patients... $363,657 32 9,778 11 282 77 110 RE-EDUCATION OF INSANE During the past year the class, averaging 30 patients, has continued under the direction of Miss Bernice Applegate. Owing to the shortage of employees, she has had no assistant and the class was closed during the influenza epidemic. Higher cost of material has also been a serious handicap and prevented undertaking some branches of the work. As befitted the times, work along patriotic lines has been the most prominent feature, and many socks, sweaters, pajamas, scarfs, et cetera, were made by the patients, the knitting being very creditable. Some sewing and knitting were done for the Belgian refugees. Six wool bunting flags, three by five feet, were made for the amusement hall, representing the United States and allied countries. These have been the occasion of enthusiastic comment. Crocheted and braided rugs for the wards have been made in considerable number, as well as those woven on the loom by a patient. Tatting, crocheting, embroidery and basketry are done regularly. Some work of the class was exhibited at the county fair and many articles took prizes. The exhibit of articles made for soldiers and sailors was awarded a certificate at the Chicago meeting of the American Medico-Psychological Association. AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION OF PATIENTS During the winter months the White Entertainment Bureau of Boston presented a series of four enjoyable entertainments. As in the past, weekly moving picture entertainments with orchestra concerts were held. These entertainments have proved to be the greatest diversion for patients and employees. For many years the orchestra has given concerts in the congregate dining-room during dinner on Thanksgiving and Christmas. This has been so much enjoyed by patients and employees that the custom has been continued since Christmas, 1918, with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays, when several members of the orchestra are not on duty. Special entertainments were held on Thanksgiving, Christmas and July 4. Victrola concerts are held daily on the wards. Pool, billiards, card parties, sleighrides and picnics have been enjoyed by many of the patients. A number of the men and women patients attended the county fair at Hamburg. NOTEWORTHY OCCURRENCES Eighteen patients eloped during the year, but all were returned with the exception of three. No suicides have occurred. Nine patients suffered from simple fractures but without serious complications. WAR ACTIVITIES The following articles have been prepared at the hospital: 220 sweaters, 30 scarfs, 114 pairs wristlets, 200 pairs socks, 66 pairs pajamas, 112 towels, 60 surgical sheets, 42 bed shirts, 15 children's dresses, 28 pairs children's stockings and 25 children's sweaters. Officers and employees contributed $630 to the Red Cross. At the close of the year 3 medical officers, 23 employees and the principal of the training school had entered the military service of the United States. CHANGES IN THE PERSONNEL OF THE MEDICAL SERVICE (See page 71) OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST Mrs. Bertha M. Bard, Gowanda, N. Y., was appointed a member of the Board of Managers on January 16, 1919, to fill the vacancy caused by the expiration of the term of Mrs. Laura K. Larmonth. SUMMARY OF THE FIFTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF THE HUDSON RIVER STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1919 The hospital was opened for patients in 1871. |