tients were very quiet-all of them clean and comfortable-and a large proportion of them appeared happy. The interesting report and statistical tables prepared by Dr. Woodward, and herewith annexed, present so accurate a view of the present state of the Hospital, that the trustees will give only a general outline. There have been in the Hospital in the course of the year, 391 patients; 190 males, 201 females. There have been admitted 162; 75 males, 87 females. There remained at the end of the year, 236 patients; 122 males, 114 females. Of which, 208 are old cases, and 28 recent cases, 105 cases have been sent by the courts, 48 by friends, and 9 by Overseers of the Poor. There have been 30 foreigners, and 19 persons belonging to other States, in the Hospital the past year. There have been applications not received, 99; 58 of which, were citizens of this State. There have been discharged from the Hospital during the year, 155 persons; 82 of which, were recovered, 29 improved, 29 discharged for want of room or harmless, 15 have died. Of the 82 recovered, 64 were recent cases, and 18 old cases; the whole number of recent cases discharged, is 70. The per cent. of recoveries of the recent cases discharged, is 914 per cent.; the per cent. of all the cases discharged, is about 53 per cent. The striking difference in the per centage of recoveries between recent and old cases, is shown in a very interesting light in Dr. Woodward's Report, and is a fact of vast practical importance, which cannot be too often, nor too strongly pointed out to the public eye. During the last year, a fire engine has been purchased at the cost of $150. It proves to be an excellent one, is well managed by the patients, and with an abundant supply of water from the great cistern in the back yard, is used to great advantage for various purposes of cleanliness, and may be regarded as an efficient security for the Hospital in case of fire. The labor department has been continued the past year with increased evidences of its utility. The produce of the farm is estimated at $1,887 89, exclusive of the fine live stock on hand; great judgment and industry have been shown, in clearing and walling in, manuring and irrigating, and increasing the produce of the lands, showing that Mr. Ellis is an excellent farmer, as well as an excellent steward. The value of shoes manufactured, is about $900. A great amount of useful labor is daily performed by the patients in the house and about the premises, and during the year extensive improvements have been made, and the grove has been ornamented with paths and walks, and the surface made smooth and beautiful. But the true value of labor is to be estimated by a higher standard than money. Labor is the health of the mind. It is that power in man, which unfolds and directs his capacities, and thus reveals and secures the sources of his happiness. The man who labors, shares first and largest in the fruits of his own toil, for, in every condition of human life, useful employment is the surest enjoyment, the best security of a "sound mind in a sound body." In a disordered state of mind, judicious occupation is among the best remedies, and agricultural and horticultural occupations are among the best of all. "Grain and fruit are God's bounty, the flowers are his smiles." This beautiful thought of the poet, may come over the troubled mind, when engaged in the field or the garden, in the midst of Heaven's gifts, with a divine power to dispel gloom, and infuse hope and peace and joy. The experiment of cultivating the gardens, and tilling the soil by the patients, has proved so beneficial to them, that the Trustees regard it as true humane economy, to purchase more land adjoining the Hospital farm, whenever favorable opportunities may offer. Another barn is now much needed for the use of the Hospital. The Report of the Treasurer, presents a clear, full, and satisfactory statement of the fiscal concerns of the Hospital. It appears that the amount of cash on hand, December 1st, 1839, and receipts from all sources, from December 1st, 1839, to November 30th, 1840, inclusive, is The amount of expenditure during the same term, is The amount of cash on hand, December 1st, 1840, $30,046 16 27,844 98 2,201 18 It appears that the cost of supporting the Hospital, ex- Difference, 30,046 16 29,474 41 27,844 98 1,629 48 The amount of cost of supporting the Hospital for 1840, $27,844 98, divided by the average number of patients, 229, gives as the cost of supporting each patient, a fraction less than $2.33 per week. This is something less than the present charge. But as there is some uncertainty in regard to the future price of supplies, -as great inconvenience has been experienced on account of the crowded state of the Hospital, and as the present price of board is so very reasonable-the Trustees have decided to continue the same price of 2.50 per week for each patient, for the coming year, except in cases in which for special reasons it is enlarged or abated. Religious services have been regularly performed on the Sabbath in the chapel, during the past year, with gratifying confirmation of the good effect of public worship on the patients. The same blessed influences of Christianity, which, in the days of its divine Author, brought quietly to his feet, "sitting and clothed in his right mind," the wild maniac, who had "plucked asunder his chains, and was always, night and day, in the mountains, crying and cutting himself with stones, and no man could tame him," this same blessed religion of love and mercy, by the labors of its faithful ministers, still continues to exert its healing and soothing power over the troubled soul. At the present time, the religious duties of the chapel are performed in a very acceptable manner by the Rev. George Allen. At the meeting of the Trustees on the first of December, Mr. King, a member of the board, presented a copy of the will of the late Mrs. Martha Johonnot, of Salem, containing the following clause: "I give, bequeath and devise all the residue of said estate, real and personal, to the Board of Trustees of the State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester, and their successors forever, upon the special trust and confidence, that they shall invest the same, and expend the annual income thereof, or so much thereof, as may be necessary for the relief and support of such poor insane persons as may, from time to time, be committed to said Hospital from the several towns in the county of Essex in said state-and who may, in the judgment of said Trustees, be unable to support themselves therein-and if, from any cause whatever, the foregoing devise, for the benefit of such poor insane persons, cannot take effect consistently with the rules of law, I then give and devise all the residue of said estate, real and personal, to said Board of Trustees, and their successors in trust, for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to be used and improved for the maintenance of insane persons, and for the benefit of the institution." By the fourth section of the forty-eighth chapter of the Revised Statutes, it appears that "the Trustees may take and hold, in trust for the Commonwealth, any grant or devise of lands, and any donation or bequest of money, or other personal property, to be applied to the maintenance of insane persons, and the general use of the said institution." Upon examination of the law, it appears very doubtful whether the Trustees of the State Lunatic Hospital are authorized to accept this bequest for such special purposes-separate from the "general use of said institution," and furthermore, it seems to be impracticable to carry into effect the benevolent design of the donor in favor of poor insane persons in the county of Essex. An attempt to execute this provision of the will would involve the Trustees in a joint trust, with all the overseers of the poor in all the towns in the county of Essex!! It is proper here to state, that, in Mrs. Johonnot's will, there are several annuities to be provided for-and the mode by which these shall be adjusted, will materially affect the amount of the residue of the estate. After careful reflection, the subject of Mrs. Johonnot's will is respectfully submitted. In conclusion, it only remains for the Trustees to express their grateful conviction, that the Superintendent and his faithful assistant Dr. Chandler, together with the steward and matron, and, indeed, all the attendants in the various departments of duty, have given full proof of the faithful performance of the arduous and responsible duties of this great institution of humanity-an institution preeminent among the noble charities which distinguish and bless our age, and which are alike deserving the fostering care of an enlightened government, and the generous support of a humane people. December 1st, 1840. ABM. R. THOMPSON, Trustees. TREASURER'S REPORT. To His Excellency MARCUS MORTON, Governor, and to the Honorable Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Treasurer of the State Lunatic Hospital, respectfully presents his Eighth Annual Report. The Treasurer charges himself, from December 1, 1839, to November 30th, 1840, inclusive, as follows: For cash on hand, December 1, 1839, bal Cash on hand, balance to new account, 2,201 18 $30,046 16 2,201 18 $27,844 98 The item of furniture is increased by the cost of a fire engine, which the Trustees thought requisite for the protection of the buildings, as well as for other purposes; and by the repairs or re-placing of articles injured, or worn with several years' use. The item of clothing, linen, &c., includes, as usual, the stock of the shoe shop, purchased within the year. |