Twelfth annual report of the trustees of the State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester. December, 1844.

  • State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester.
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Twelfth annual report of the trustees of the State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester. December, 1844. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    THE TWELFTH REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE STATE LUNATIC HOSPITAL, WORCESTER, MASS., From Dec. 1st, 1843, to Nov. 30tk, 1844, inclusive. It is now twelve years since the Hospital was opened for the recep- tion of the insane. During this time there have been admitted into its wards 2013 patients. There have been discharged 1750, of which number 916 have recovered, 151 have died, and 683 have been dis¬ charged in various conditions, some greatly improved, some with im¬ proved health and habits, others as harmless and incurable, for want of room, and a few have been sent back to the jails and houses of correc¬ tion for the same reason. We have had from the commencement a succession of prosperous seasons, an unusual exemption from mortality, and such success in the recovery of insanity, as calls loudly for gratitude to the Giver of ail good for his protection, guidance and blessing. The Hospital has been for a long term, in such a crowded state as to render additional accommodations necessary ; the pressing demands for admission being far beyond the means of relief. In 1843, the Legislature decided to add to the Hospital one hundred and fifty apartments, and to expend for this purpose a fund given to this institution bv George and Martha Johonnot, who, in their last will, made it the residuary legatee of their estate. From this source the Hospital came in possession of a legacy of about $43,000, which has been expended according to the original design of its benevolent donors, that of adding to the accommodations for the insane in this Common¬ wealth. The additional wings, part of which are now nearly ready for occu-