A N N U A L REPORT
OF THE
PAUPER INSTITUTIONS DEPARTMENT,
F O R T H E Y E A R 1 9 0 0 .
[ D o c u m e n t 28 — 1 9 0 1 .]
o f t h e Ci t y o f Boston, 28 Co u r t Sq u a r e, Boston, Ma s s.,
Ho n. Th o m a s N. Ha r t,
January 31, 1901.
Mayor of the City of Boston :
Si b» J lie Pauper Institutions Trustees herewith present their report for the financial year ending January 31, 1901.
Organization. — This Department remained constituted as previously reported, u n til the retirem ent of Mr. W illia m L.
Rutan at the expiration of his term of office, on May 1, 1900, when M r. A rth u r G. Everett was appointed to f ill the vacancy.
On the first Monday of May the Board organized for the ensuing year by the election of Mrs. A lice N. Lincoln as Chairman, and M r. W alter Hunnewell as Secretary.
Changes in the S taff at the Almshouse and Hospital, Long
«and.. On May 1,1900, Dr. A rth u r S. H artw ell, who had filled the position of second medical officer since July, 1899, was appointed first medical officer of the Hospital, at a
r } o twelve hundred dollars per year, to f ill the vacancy caused by the resignation of D r. A lb e rt A . Taft.
Iii September, 1900, on the resignation of the Superintend
ent, M r. A rth u r T. Hopkins, who had decided to re-enter professional life, the Trustees appointed to the office of Superintendent and Resident Physician, Dr. Archibald J.
2 Cit y Do c u m e n t No. 28.
Ranney, the appointment to date from December 1, 1900.
D r. Ranney resigned the position of Assistant Superin
tendent of the State Hospital at Tewksbury to take the position thus offered. H is service at Tewksbury had cov
ered seven years, during five of which he had served as Assistant Superintendent under the present Superintendent, D r. J. H. Nichols.
D r. Ranney promoted the first medical officer of the Almshouse and Hospital at Long Island, D r. A rth u r S.
H artw ell, to the position of Assistant Superintendent and Physician, at a salary of fifteen hundred dollars.
Finances. — O f the amount expended by this Department during the year, $117,539.82 was spent on account of the Almshouse and H ospital at Long Island ; $13,254.19 on account of the Almshouse fo r Women and Aged Couples at Charlestown; $4,567.58 on account of the expense of the central office; $1,203.75 for support of paupers in in s titu tions outside of the C ity of Boston ; $8,602.93 on account of the steamer “ John H o w a rd ;” $5,579.75 on account of the salt-water fire system; $21,908.50 on account of new power-house and equipment, and $14.04 on account of improvements in the barn.
The collections during the year amount in all to $6,644.30, the Almshouse and Hospital on Long Island being credited w ith $6,072.87, and the Almshouse for Women and Aged Couples at Charlestown w ith $571.43.
The weekly per capita cost of maintenance at the Long Island Almshouse and H ospital was $3.47, being an increase of 70 cents per week over last year.
The weekly per capita cost of maintenance at the Charles
town Almshouse was $2.62, being a decrease of 9 cents per week from last year.
The increased per capita cost of maintenance at the A lm s
house at Long Island is due in part to the development of the Hospital, and also to the exclusion of the able-bodied
“ R ounder” element, necessitating a larger number of paid employees. Decrease in the population of an almshouse cannot be accompanied by a corresponding decrease in ad
m inistrative expenses, and the per capita cost of main
tenance, therefore, based on the total expenditure of the year, rises w ith the fa ll in population.
In the annual report of last year it was stated tha t as the Long Island H ospital is the only hospital maintained by the C ity for the treatment of chronic and incurable diseases, its standard of efficiency should be raised to the proper level of
such a hospital, even at a necessarily increased expenditure.
The necessity for this better service was met by the C ity Council by an appropriation larger than that of former years.
The year closed w ith an unexpended balance of this appro
priation of $2,279.73.
I t is the desire of the Trustees and the Superintendent that the accounts of the Almshouse and the Hospital should be kept separately, and from February 1, 1901, the expenses of the in stitu tio n w ill be classified and charged to th e ir re
spective departments. Thus, the exact per capita cost in the Almshouse and the H ospital may be computed inde
pendently.
Improvements. ■— D uring the summer the old power-plant a t Long Island was abandoned, the boilers being transferred to the new power-house. B y the addition of two new boilers and a large increase in the radiating surface, all the buildings are now adequately heated. The laundry and bakery have also been removed to the new power-house.
The salt-water fire system is now completed, and is found to be in good working condition.
A new and abundant supply of hose has been furnished for the steamer “ John Howard.”
A t the regular meeting of June 4, 1900, a letter was re
ceived from the visiting medical staff, containing a copy of the follow ing resolution:
“ Resolved, That, in the opinion of the visitin g staff, the service of the (L o ng Island) Hospital would be greatly im
proved and the general interest in medical work increased by ae establishment of a clinical pathological laboratory. Such a laboratory should be directed by a trained pathologist, who s hould receive compensation for his work. The compensa- j°n may be placed at $500 per annum, and the pathologist W o rk” lna^ e a visit, giving the necessary time to the
In accordance w itli the suggestion contained in this letter, r V° i <; was passed empowering the Superintendent to fit up a o°m at the Long Island Hospital for pathological work, _ an cx Pense not exceeding $100, and later D r. George Bur- SS x cGrath was appointed to the position of pathologist, at
$500 per annum, the appointment to date from 15., 1900.
WaH last a change was made by which the first-floor WardS m i 6 ^ omen’s B uilding were established as infirm ary nla ?i a n ,a maf ron who had had'experience in illness was
1 cec m charge of them. This provides more skilled care a salary of
September
4 Cit y Do c u m e n t No. 28.
than heretofore for the infirm and feeble old women. Some of these women have their meals brought to them, instead of going into the dining-room, and the intention is to provide certain comforts in these wards that cannot wisely be pro
vided in all. This plan made necessary the employment of one more matron. The staff of the Women’s B uilding now consists of five day-matrons, and one night-matron.
In the early summer there was b u ilt near the Hospital a small detached house of one room, fo r a little g irl of ten years of age, suffering from cancer of the face. Through the free circulation of sweet, fresh air, the distress of the child was -lessened during the last months of her life, and the very difficult and try in g work of nursing her was made easier to the nurses. I t is now proposed to use this house fo r tuberculous patients, placing only two there at any one time.
I t was expected that i t would be possible, during the summer, to build a cattle tie-up at Long Island. As i t is im portant to secure the healthiest conditions fo r the herd of cows, the Trustees voted to employ the services of M r. Edward B urne tt as expert, to choose the best location, and to examine the plans made by the A rchitectural D ivision of the Engineering Department. Mr. B urne tt consulted w ith that Department, but the plans furnished called for a larger expenditure than the appropriation would warrant.
I t is hoped that, w ith some modification, these plans may be utilized later.
New Construction to be Undertaken under the Loan A ppro
p ria tio n of December, 1900. — In the estimate for loans needed by this Department and submitted to your Honor in February, 1900, there were included, beside other items, esti
mates for a new wing for. the Hospital, and a Nurses’ Home, liberal appropriations fo r both of which were granted by the C ity Government on January 5, 1901.
The overcrowded condition of the male wards o f the Hos
p ita l occasions anxiety to the Trustees and to the V isitin g and Resident Medical Staffs, and is the cause of suffering and discomfort to patients and nurses. In these overcrowded wards there cannot be the proper number of cubic feet of air per patient. The beds are necessarily put more closely together than the spacing of the windows properly permits, and patients are often exposed to a direct draught.
In the report for 1899, the Trustees stated the ir reasons for asking for an appropriation for a Nurses’ Home, and they
believe the action of the C ity in granting i t w ill be fu lly justified by insuring healthier and happier lives for the nurses.*
Training School fo r Nurses. — On Monday, June 11, a class of seven nurses graduated from the T raining ,School of the Long Island Hospital. The graduating exercises were held in the Chapel, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. B rie f addresses were made by the Chairman of the Board, Dr. E. W . Taylor, and Dr. Paul Thorndike of the V is itin g Medical Staff, and M r. John E. Gilman of the Institutions Registration Department. A number of former graduates of the Hospital were present, and music was thoughtfully provided by a member of the graduating class.
Teaching f o r the B lin d . — The Superintendent (M r. A rth u r T. H opkins) arranged for special teaching of the few blind Persons in the Almshouse at Long Island by M r. H. Prescott
° f Melbourne, Australia, who offered his services as teacher.
D uring the summer he went weekly to Long Island to give lessons. The teaching begun by M r. Prescott is now carried
°n at Long Island and Charlestown as a part of the plan of teaching established by the Perkins In s titu tio n for the Blind.
The Incoming Population. — The tables in the appendix, in dicating status and condition of persons admitted during the year to the Almshouses at Long Island and Charlestown, do n° t vary much from those of last y e a r:
per cent, of the men admitted were over 55 years of age.
48 per cent, of the women admitted were over 55 years of age.
44 per cent, of the men admitted were single and under Oo years of age.
12 per cent, of the women admitted were single and under
° ° years of age.
t-5 per cent, of the men admitted were widowers.
o per cent, of the women admitted were widows.
J per cent, of a ll admitted went at once into the Hos
pital.
16 per cent, of the whole number admitted died during
uie year. &
d o m th e H osu it.n l i a c t t l l a t ’ w h e n p ossib le , n u rse s sh o u ld be housed a p a rt good n ursine- ^ ln ? ie in te re s t o f th e ir o w n h e a lth , b u t a lso in th e in te re s t aealth , a n d th is \a I1 n u rs e » m in d a n d b o d y s h o u ld be k e p t a t a h ig h le v e l o f JJhd a tm o sn he rp a sePa r &te h om e , a p a rt fr o m h o s p ita l sig h ts, sounds Care o f these hpbnpaonSS f o r t i t nde a n d e n d u ra n c e re q u ire d f o r th e d a y -b y -d a y
‘ ‘ T h e d e ta ils Pa tie n ts ia v e r y g re a t, . . .
h ftin g a n d somp o f H,?,UrsingJa re e x h a u s tin g . T h e p a ra ly z e d p a tie n ts r e q u ire m u ch J h d o f those n eed c o n s ta n t a tte n tio n . T h e n u m b e r o f p h th is ic a l p a tie n ts Averted b v nnri»rvi?PMg ^ro m s p e cific disease adds a r is k o f co n ta g io n , o n ly to be
‘ ‘ A H th is s h in S H in g «CaP . on th e Pa r t o f th e nurse s.
Jeorouirh reo* „7», °e o n se t f o r o u r n u rse s b y f o r t i f y i n g th e m , so f a r as p ossib le , b y 111 e v e rv 0:a a n d b y e n s u rin g th e m n o u ris h in g a n d v a rie d fo o d , a n d
j possiD ie w a y g iv in g th e m a h a p p y a tm o sp he re in w h ic h to w o r k .”
6 Ci t y Do c u m e n t No. 28.
O f the 294 men admitted, 58 per cent, entered the A lm s
house for the first time, of whom 76 per cent, went at once to the Hospital.
O f the 353 women admitted, 59 per cent, entered the Almshouse fo r the firs t time, of whom 79 per cent, went at once to the Hospital.
71 per cent, of the men admitted were recorded as of in temperate habits.
41 per cent, of the women admitted were recorded as of intemperate habits.
65 per cent, of a ll admitted were suffering from chronic illness, or were enfeebled by old age.
45 per cent, of the whole number of men and women admitted have been previously reached, in one wajr or another, by public re lie f; either their parents have been aided by the Overseers of the Poor, or were in almshouses, or they themselves have previously been in receipt of public relief, or.were aided as minors, or their children are or have been so aided.
Representing pauperism in the second and th ird genera
tion, there were admitted during the year 49 men and 20 women whose parents had received out-door relief, or had been inmates of the Almshouse. Twenty-three of these per
sons are now over 40 years of age, and 13 of the 23 have been married. So far as our records go, 20 liv in g children repre
sent, in the third generation, these 23 persons of the second generation in receipt of public relief and their 13 wives and husbands. Allowance must be made for misstatements : unquestionably some persons who have been married are recorded on their own statement as single, while others, who have had children, are recorded as childless.
Such statistics as the foregoing have their importance, and i t is very necessary to gather as many facts as can be learned about each individual,’ but they cannot possibly give the story of a human life. I f we could know the whole history of each person entering the Almshouse, the summary of ail would in one way be less sad, for many of the histories which can be traced back to childhood or early life show such unfavorable conditions that the subsequent failure of physical health, often involving the deterioration of mental or moral character, is largely accounted for, and we see the survival, under disheartening conditions and many sorrows, of sweet and fine traits of human character.*
* N o th in g , f o r in s ta n c e , c o u ld w e ll so u n d m o re fo r lo r n th a n such re c o rd e d data as the fo llo w in g : A h u sb a n d , w h o h a d been in th e H o u se o f C o rre c tio n b o th f o r in te m p e ra n c e a n d f o r a ssa u lt o n h is w if e ; a w if e , also in te m p e ra te a n d w h o h ad been
Beside those w ith records of intemperance and pauperism, there are admitted each year into the Hospital, self-respecting men and women suffering from incurable or chronic disease, who, were they suffering from acute or curable illness, would be cared for by relatives, or would be admitted to the C ity Hospital or some private hospital. Others, even though in fair health, are. obliged to come into the Almshouse because they can no longer work, have exhausted their savings, and have no relatives able to support or even to help them.
Such people may, whether w ell or ill, do much toward cheer
ing and encouraging those around them.
D u rin g the summer, one very sick patient in the Hospital, gave a daily lesson in reading, geography and arithmetic to a little g irl of ten who was under medical care I and observa
tion for a time. This morning school-hour was a happy element in the child’s life while in the Hospital, and was prompted by true loving-kindness.
Vagrancy. — The effort to check vagrancy through offer
ing commitment to the State Farm instead of allowing the vagrant easy admission into the Almshouse for a few cold months has had, we believe, a wider result than is indicated by the statement of the actual number of persons who were committed to the State Farm instead of being admitted to the Almshouse. Irrespective of the persons who have been sent to Bridgewater instead of to Long Island, it is probable that fewer able-bodied men, or men only temporarily dis
abled through drink, have applied for admission to the Almshouse.
The commitment of vagrants to the State Farm secures a .gain in quiet and discipline at Long Island, and makes it a more peaceful home for self-respecting people, but entails a distinct loss in able-bodied help which has to be made good
in th e A lm s h o u s e ; tw o o f th e ir c h ild re n , b o rn in C ity In s titu tio n s , had carp f n , 1" C ity In s titu tio n s . T h re e o th e rs h a d been re m o v e d as “ neg le cts ” fr o m th e
■Vim h Pa r ents. Some th re e y e a rs ago h u sb a n d a n d w if e w e re a d m itte d in to the on th e same d a y , w h e re th e h u s b a n d d ie d w it h in th e wreek, a n d w h e re a y nH ° n th s la te r th e ir Jast c h ild w as b o rn .
sidp « m g ca,n ch an g e th is sad s to ry in t o a c h e e rfu l one, b u t a t l e a '- t i t has a n o th e r w h o s p i lle a rs th e Pa r t ° f I t w h ic h dues n o t le n d its e lf to s ta tis tic s . T h e w o m a n h e r f i d p r i 0 r ^rhas .been so p it if u l has a sw eet, g e n tle d is p o s itio n w h ic h a lw a y s w in s l it t lp pA T 8, " ^ e i it t l e g ir l , b o rn u n d e r such sad c o n d itio n s , is an u n u s u a lly e x q u is ite M o thP ve a t^ r e i ari<^ h a d been b elo ve d a n d c h e ris h e d fr o m th e m o m e n t o f h e r b ir t h , a nri w ♦iln (m C lllld a re u o w i n a good hom e, th e l it t le g ir l w a tc h e d o v e r b y a fr ie n d
A n X tu he-T ru s te e M o r C M ld re n .
P a sR P iii«ro i^s^a ilce *s th a t o f a y o u n g w o m a n , th e la t te r ye a rs o f w ho se l if e h a d been camp tn T a Ite ru ate p e rio d s o f d r in k in g a n d d e te n tio n in one o r o th e r in s titu tio n , w h o
no onp lB la * d v e ry i l l w it h c o n s u m p tio n . She w as so frie n d le s s th a t th e re was h e r • a W fp *? 6 n.®ilfie d o f h e r dea th e x c e p t tw o k in d o ffic ia ls w h o h a d h a d ch a rg e of.
E a ch m ir e wr tte ° ip a s is te r in a d is ta n t S tate, w as re tu rn e d , w ee ks la te r, u n c la im e d , ffr a titn w h o h a d ca re o f h e r sp oke o f h e r u n c o m p la in in g p a tie n c e a n d h e r she w as v « ° r e v e ry e ffo rt to lessen h e r s u ffe rin g . These w e re th e q u a litie s b y w h ic h an tr u p o th e A lm sh o u se H o s p ita l a n d b y w h ic h she is re m e m b e re d th e re ,—
d r in k ™ , h e r c h a ra c te r, s u re ly , as the i n a b ilit y to w ith s ta n d th e te m p ta tio n to r e cord Wftlcl1 ls o n l y p e rs o n a l q u a lity w h ic h fin d s e x p re s s io n in h e r in s titu tio n
8 Ci t y Do c u m e n t No. 28.
by more paid assistance, and is undoubtedly one cause of the increased per capita cost. Though we lose the work of these able-bodied persons, we believe that vagrancy in the community w ill be reduced through such action; and fuith e r, we believe that there is much more hope for the individual in a life of strict discipline for a minimum period of nine months at the State Farm tha/i in obtaining access to the Almshouse, where, even i f he is a worker, he feels himself provided for under easier conditions, and knows that the door is open for him to go out when the spring comes.
There is noted by the State Board of Charity, on page 11 of their report for 1900, an increase of 125 persons com
mitted during the year from Boston courts to the State Farm at Bridgewater. These persons were committed chiefly for vagrancy, and many of them were former inmates of Boston Institutions. In the year ending September 30, 1900, which is the year covered by the reports of the state institutions, 68 persons w ith Boston settlement, who had asked admission to the Boston Almshouse, were committed to the State I arm, being 28 per cent, of the whole number com
mitted during the year from Boston courts. O f these 68 persons, 40 were single men, under 50 years of age. We believe that in adopting these measures we are cooperating w ith the State Board of Charity in their effort to reduce vagrancy throughout the State.
Charlestown Almshouse. -— D u rin g the year this almshouse has given a comfortable home to its household of about ninety-three old people. The atmosphere has been peaceful, and, in a quiet way, even happy. The level of general health maintained has been remarkable. N ot a death occurred during' the epidemic of grippe in March, and during the hot months of the summer the Superintendent constantly reported that no one in the institution was so i l l as to be in bed.
In each report of the Irustees mention has been made of the urgent need of protection against fire. This need has been recognized, and met by the C ity Council by the appropriation, in December, 1900, of 14,000 for fire-escapes for the Charles town Almshouse.
Randidge Excursions. — D u rin g the summer the llandidge Excursions for the benefit of poor children were c o n d u c t e d
as_ before, under the charge of the Penal Institutions Com
missioner, a portion of Long Island near the W est Head being used for the purpose.
Matron on Steamer “ J. Putnam Bradlee.” — The Trustees have had reason to be grateful for the appointment in May,
by the Penal Institutions Commissioner, of a matron on the “ J. Putnam Bradlee,” which has resulted in great good to the sick patients going to Long Island. D u rin g the year 406 persons have been received directly into the Hospital on arrival, many of whom were seriously i l l ; in 26 cases, death occurred w ith in one week of their arrival. I t is im
possible to adequately estimate the important difference made to these helpless people by the presence of a kind and helpful matron.
The Trustees were gratified that, on A ugust 21, H is Honor Mayor H a rt paid a v is it to the Almshouse ait Charlestown, and on A ugust 31 spent several hours at Long Island.
On A p r il 25 a committee of the C ity Government visited Long Island and inspected the buildings there.
On June 27 the Committee on Public Charitable In s titu tions of the State Legislature visited Long Island.
The Trustees wish to acknowledge gratefully the invaluable services of the V is itin g Medical Staff of the Long Island Hospital, to which a large part of its growth and improve
ment should be attributed.
Respectfully submitted, Al ic e N. Lin c o l n, Wil l ia m H . Gr a in g e r, Fr a n c e s R. Morse, Wa l t e r Hu n n e w e l l, He n r y Do b b in s, Ub e r t K. Pe t t in g il l, Ar t h u r G. Ev e r e t t.
10 Ci t y Do c u m e n t No. 28.
R E P O R T OF T H E S U P E R IN T E N D E N T OF T H E B O STO N A LM S H O U S E A N D H O S P IT A L ,
LO N G IS L A N D .
Long Is l a n d, Boston Ha b b o b, January 31, 1901.
To the Pauper Institutions Trustees :
I have the honor of presenting to you the report of the Boston Almshouse arid Hospital for the year ending Janu
ary 31, 1901.
A t the opening of the year there were 650 persons in this institution, and during the year there were 690 admissions (328 male, and 362 female), making a total of 1,340 cared for, including réadmissions. The smallest number present at any one time was 573 ; the largest number was 681.
Hospital. — There have been treated in the Hospital dur
ing the year 997 cases, — 428 male, and 569 female. O f these patients, 825 were medical, and 172 were surgical cases.
There have been 189 deaths and 7 births.
Ih e Hospital is very much overcrowded, but we expect the new ward w ill give us great relief in this respect. I t is our purpose to establish a convalescent and out-patient ward in the Men’s B u ild in g ; this ward w ill be under hospital su
pervision, and a nurse from the T raining School w ill be in charge.
There have been several changes in the medical staff dur
ing the past year. D r. A . A . T a ft resigned May 1 to take the position of Resident Physician at Deer Island ; D r. T. J.
O’Brien was appointed to fill the position of Second Medical Officer, le ft vacant by the promotion of D r. A rth u r S. Hart
well.
The interne services of Drs. F. B. W orthing, G. B. H o itt, and W . M. Gay expired during the year, and their positions were filled by Drs. S. F. Cox and 1. R. Bancroft, and M r.
S. W . Mooring. On December 1 Dr. H artw ell received the appointment of Assistant Superintendent and Physician, and Dr. T. J. O ’Brien was promoted to the office of Assistant Physician.
W e could use another house-officer to good advantage;
since the laboratory was completed the work for house- officers has considerably increased, and when the ward for convalescents and out-patients is established their duties w ill be s till greater.
Training-school f o r Nurses.— The training-school for nurses has completed a successful year, and the work in this De
partment is steadily improving.
Improvements Suggested. — The M o ils B uilding needs a thorough renovation. New floors are needed in many of the wards, and I would recommend that a shower-bath system be established in place of the iron tubs now in use. Non
absorbent flooring ought to be put in all the lavatories and adjacent corridors; the smoke room also needs a new floor, and a new set of sanitary fixtures is necessary. The building needs painting inside and around the windows.
I wish to call your attention to the embankment in the rear of the Women’s B u ild in g ; I feel that i t is necessary that some measures be taken to prevent .the washing away of the land.
Both the Hospital and Women’s B uild in g need painting on the outside.
For the first time we have made use of the artificial ice- pond, and have harvested about 300 tons of ice and stored the same in a temporary shed. I would suggest that an ice^
house be b u ilt to allow the storing away of 500 or 600 tons.;
this, in addition to the present ice-house accommodation, would perm it us to harvest all of the ice that we could con
sume during the entire year.
The facilities for bathing at the H ospital are inadequate, especially in the male wing, where I would recommend that a shower-bath be added to our present accommodations. Non
absorbent floors should be in a ll of the bath-rooms and lava
tories throughout the Hospital, and additional fixtures are needed in nearly all of the lavatories.
We very much need sun-platforms attached to the nursery where the children can be carried out into the open air every day that is suitable. I f we could have sun-platforms at
tached to the other wings of the H ospital they would be gieatly appreciated by the patients, and would certainly be
° f great value in furthering their recovery.
I wish to call your attention to the desirability of building a greenhouse; one-half of the building could be utilized in growing plants which w ill be used to beautify the wards and to start bedding plants for the lawns ; the other half could be used to great advantage in starting our early vegetables.
12 Cit y Do c u m e n t No. 28
O ur thanks are clue to our chaplains fo r their u n tirin g
— e il 16 T \ dUring the year’ and their devotion both institution! ^ ° 16 mmateS aiKl t0 the interests of the
I would also thank the outside friends who have k in d ly inmateserthisl l i r itht T * Pap61'S f ° r the benefit of the people ’ hterature has been greatly appreciated by our h o n o r von^hn ° CCasi(i n to th a n k yo u fo r the confidence and Honor y o u have co nfe rre d upo n me. I am,
Yours respectfully,
Ar c h ib a l d J. Ra n n e y, M .D., Superintendent .
R E P O R T OF T H E S U P E R IN T E N D E N T OF T H E BO STO N A LM S H O U S E FOR W O M E N A N D ACtE D C O U PLES, C H A R L E S T O W N .
Ch a r l e s t o w n Dis t r ic t, Boston, Mass., January 31, 1901.
To the Pauper Institutions Trustees:
The past year has in many ways been a satisfactory one for this institution.
I wish first to speak of the remarkable health record which has prevailed throughout the year, weeks have passed w ith no one sick enough to he in bed; but two deaths have occurred, and i t has been necessary to transfer but a small number of cases fo r serious mental or physical disability.
Two of the persons transferred for hospital treatment died shortly after transference.
The inmates have been generally happy and contented, doing their w ork w illin g ly , and the rules are now so easily enforced that for more than a year no one has been placed m a separate room for discipline.
No extensive repairs or alterations have seemed necessary, but general minor repairing and painting have kept the b uild ings in good order, the addition of much needed fire-escapes is now made possible by a special appropriation.
The condition of the grounds and garden has greatly im
proved since the appointment of our present efficient farm er;
the grounds have been w ell kept, and the garden furnished an abundance of fresh vegetables for officers and inmates during the summer; a good crop of oat straw, and beets and turnips enough to last through the w inter were raised, and a ot of land on the south side of the in stitu tio n has been re
claimed, and produced a fine yield of cabbages.
Religious services have been held as heretofore, and I would gratefully acknowledge the kind and tender ministrations of i ie clergy of the Church of St. Francis de. Sales, the kin d ness of the Rev. George M axwell of St. John’s Church, and
ie interest of the people of T rin ity C h u rch ; also the very P easant entertainments given by the young people of the is t two churches. M any pleasant musical evenings have een given our old people by kind young friends.
14 Cit y Do c u m e n t No. 28.
To our.form er efficient corps of workers two additions have been necessary, and the positions of night watchman and indoor assistant have been satisfactorily filled
o f n . ; t r; : : ? z s ge tlie & ith fu i and
” ost lie ,rti1 .'' t h “ k y o u r honorable B o a rd fo r
> o u r k in d and generous s u p p o rt th ro u g h o u t the year.
R e s p e c tfu lly su b m itte d ,
Sa r a h Dr e e n l e a f We e d e n, Superintendent.
R E P O R T OF T H E V IS IT IN G M E D IC A L S T A F F OF T H E LO N G IS L A N D H O S P IT A L .
Boston, January 31, 1901.
To the Pauper Institutions Trustees:
The past year has seen a more marked improvement in the H ospital Department than any preceding year w ith in the ex
perience of the visitin g staff. This is due to several causes : The discipline of the hospital wards has been constantly improving, largely through the efforts of the resident phy
sicians and nurses, supported and encouraged by the Super
intendent. The resident medical staff has been permanently increased to five men, three of whom are house officers.
This has permitted a more systematic and satisfactory d iv i
sion of hospital w ork than has heretofore been possible, and has resulted in a decided improvement in the efficiency of the service. No one thing has conduced more toward the rapid development of the H ospital than the establishment of an adequate laboratory under the immediate direction of a salaried pathologist. I t is now possible, fo r the first time in the history of the institution, to afford the sick the advan
tages which come directly and indirectly from modern labora
tory methods of diagnosis and research. W e are confident that the experience of this Hospital w ill be like that of others, in which w orking laboratories have been established, m creating enthusiasm, fostering observation and accuracy, and thereby leading to the more intelligent treatment of the patients. The work already accomplished in this new de
partment, through the u n tirin g efforts of the pathologist, Dr.
G. B. Magrath, is sufficient guarantee of its future increasing- usefulness. Finally, the public at large,- and the medical Profession in particular, is manifesting a continually greater mterest in the possibilities of the Hospital. For these va
rious reasons we regard the past year as a peculiarly satis
factory one, and look forward w ith confidence to furthe r progress in the immediate future.
16 C
it y Do c u m e n t No. 28.
Two of the recommendations made in our last report are about to be accomplished. The immediate building of a much-needed addition to the male wing of the Hospital and of a suitable nurses’ home has been rendered possiMe by a recent appropriation of the C ity Government A n added ruab lu tu i is r visir lly suggested shai1 be
congestion a S ’ - 7 veiT greatly relieve the existing s i c / wTtb?bddPeT a m0i:e ade(i uate classification of the w h id i h T eve ,pr ent of nthe T ra illin g School for Nurses, S ow n Z ° Z T T nJ haS amply JUStified its fou'idation, has g wn the necessity for a dormitory building devoted p rin n n ly t o nurses’ use. The removal of the nurses fm m The
„ 7 1 ° Splf 1 ,h n M 'mS ',m lifee™ a u l t a r i " ? ; ; ' “ " r ded f” W aecommoda- c e l g r t l n' ed“ Wl Staff’ * S S” reested in „ n r pre- W ith the growth of the V is itin g Medical Staff and rho consequent increase in the number of visits made to the Hos
pital, the desirability of a daily morning and afternoon boat service becomes more and more apparent. Such an arrange- ment would greatly facilitate the intimate relations between the staff and the Hospital, which the complete development the institution on its medical side demands. We also beg eave to call again to your attention the fact of the need of t h T PbenefiTof ? ,COnnf tion w,ith certain of the wards for the benefit of tuberculous and other patients. The value r e la W l st^ tures is certainly out of all proportion to the s i r f iT fling! exPense of their construction. We re- fe S b le % Urg6’ theref0re’ tbat Platforms be b u ilt as soon as s ta ffT f th e H T 0 f r T diCal W°r k be“ g d° ne b y th e resident staff of the Hospital is a ju st source of satisfaction. I t has number r f C o S th ° r ° Uf hneSS’ due P - * to an increased of the m e d i7 P ° erS ai\ p a rtt0 a better systemization standarT df1Cal T rk as a f bolf In order, however,.that the f t wiH soon h maJ kGpt hlgh 9nd sti11 furtber improved, officers W i f i i r 0688^ T mcrease the nuniber o f house is desirabl7that iT pre? ' ^ facdities for caring for the sick i t is desirable that the public should be aware of the fact that obstetnc cases may be received and treated during the period
of confinement and convalescence s P
er5 „ e„ t g’ «PPreciatiou o f your coop- V ' " “ T t f l00k“ « to tke improvement o f the medical department o f the in s titu tio n ; we fe el that the H o s n ita l is foTthemg t0 T lT the PlaCe should among the institutions
or the caie of the sick in this community. The following
additions have been made to the visitin g staff of the Hospital since our last report : Dr. F ranklin W . W hite, assistant visit- lnff physician ; D r. Sidney A . Lord, assistant visiting neurol
ogist; D r. Fred M . Spalding, v isitin g ophthalmologist.
Respectfully submitted, Ab n e r Post, Pa u l Th o r n d ik e, E. W . Ta y l o r,
For the Visiting Medical Staff.
Re p o r t o f t h e v i s i t i n g p h y s i c i a n o f t h e
B O STO N A LM S H O U S E F O R W O M E N A N D A G E D C O U P LES , C H A R L E S T O W N .
Boston January 31, 1901.
T° the Pauper Institutions Trustees :
A s v is itin g p h y s ic ia n o f the C h a rle sto w n A lm sho use I have 3 j 6 1 9 0 ir t0 SU'3n” t re Po rt f ° r the ye ar e n d in g J a n u a ry
tio n a d y ^ o o d Jear the health ° f the inmates bas been exceP- ih e ie have been o n ly tw o deaths, b o th fro m c h ro n ic cases nan aged 81, fro m s e n ility , and a w om an, aged 64, fro m v a lv u la r h e a rt disease.
t i Tbe death-rate is the lowest in the h isto ry o f the in s titu - i r n ^ r nd th is re su lt w o u ld have been impossible b u t fo r the l l gent C(>°Peration of the Superintendent, the matrons m the assistants.
V e r y re s p e c tfu lly yours,
R. W. Sp r a g u e, M .D.
18 Cit y Do c u m e n t No. 28.
R U LES FO R A D M IS S IO N TO T H E L O N G IS L A N D H O S P IT A L .
Persons eligible to care in the H ospital at Long Islam *
Boston Harbor, are as follows : .
1. A ny person who has a legal settlement in the C ity 0 Boston and stands in need of relief and is ill.
2. A n y such person who, if well, could be supported a his home, but who, being ill, needs special medical or surgi cal care which he cannot afford to provide.
8. A n y person having no settlement in Boston, and who is too i l l to be removed to the city or town of settlemen (or to a State in stitutio n i f w ithout a settlement), and who is in need of immediate relief.
The question of settlement w ill be determined by fcl1 _ Institutions Registration Department, 28 C ourt square >
office hours, 9 to 5 o’clo ck; on Saturdays, 9 to 1 o’clock A ny person able to w alk should apply at that office, ambulance and carriage are at the disposal of that office, an w ill be sent for persons unable to walk, to carry them the boat.
Cases of contagious illness, such as scarlet fever, diphtherm etc., are not received at Long Island, but should be refm ie
to the C ity Hospital. ,g
In the case of a person who does not speak English d desirable that he should be accompanied by a friend w * can interpret when he makes his application at 28 Con square.
I t is very desirable that application should be made day before it is intended that the person should go to Hospital, or, i f an emergency case, before 12 o’clock, in or ^ that the settlement may be investigated, and the ambulance ^ carriage sent, if necessary. A person applying at this o ^ too late for admission on the same day w ill be sent to W ayfarers’ Lodge (men), or to the C ity Temporary Ho1
(women). _ . j to
I t is earnestly requested that if a person is advise ^ apply for admission to the Hospital at Long Island he an0 t_
be made to clearly understand that i t is the Hospital D eP ff ment of the Boston Almshouse, as much distress has 0 ^ been occasioned by ignorance of this fact at the time
going to the Hospital. , c0n-
The executive force of the H ospital at Long Islam sists of the Assistant Superintendent and P h y s ic ia n ^ ^ e Assistant Physician, and the three House Officers, who
and pla^-! c^ arge under the direction of the Superintendent There ■eSU^en^ Physician and the V is itin g Medical Staff, of y- 18 a Gaining school for nurses, w ith a Superintendent tiono rS6S and ass’stant, three head nurses and th irty proba-
rs or pupil nurses.
b o s t o n a l m s h o u s e a n d h o s p i t a l t r a i n i n g
SC H O O L F O R NURSES.
T h is t
Wo-ve , aiuuig School is established to give a systematic of lw, s. c°urse of training and practice to women desirous
The°m n g Professional nurses.
H °iSt)it scnool is connected w ith the Boston Almshouse and salm. A ’ wPich is located on one of the most beautiful and Pt°ispiOtl1B °^' Ble many islands of Boston Harbor. The and er)df . lBBng is new and modern in all its appointments,
' f i ams two hundred and fifty beds,
general UPerintendent of the Almshouse and Hospital has the aPplicaï'SU^ erV^ on aP matters relating to the school, and
®uPerint°n ^°r admission should be made to him. The iTUj^ij. endent ° i Nurses has the immediate charge of all the and ^ ospAal, of a ll persons employed in the wards, Training s ^ *n®tru ction and management of the pupils in the cal, SUr^ Urse req.uires two years, and includes general medi-
A fixn'l ’ mate™ ity, and infant nursing,
and deni Course ° f instruction is given, including lectures
■ w « i on practical points by the medical and chi,;|{y y| an> recitations on these and from text-books, but Curses anî instruction from the Superintendent of d rill in th t graduate head nurses, and the accurate daily
"Pire inst 'Vards an<i operating room,
braking 0f Vl®J'i°n includes the general care of the sick, the
^ eipless n t - s> changing bed and body linen, managing of Warn) 0l. a UiIPs in bed, etc. ; giving baths, keeping patients ta k in g and°° ’ Pr,evention and dressing of bed sores ; the and poijJtj * aPPi.ying of bandages, applying of fomentations ü°n of en„ 6S ail(i minor dressings, cupping, the administra
t e also J " 88* and use the female catheter. The pupils iaught by n 6n les®°ns in massage. M aternity nursing is digital exf actic.e in the confinement rooms, which includes die pupilg ,"uriation of patients. Instruction is also given 0w t° act in the various emergencies which arise
20 Cit y Do c u m e n t No. 28.
in childbed. 1 upils are taught how to cook and serve food for the sick in a proper manner, the feeding of helpless patients, and the feeding and preparation of food for infants.
Instruction is also given in the best practical methods of supplying fresh air, of warming and ventilating sick rooms in a proper manner, and the way to take care of sick rooms for the best good and comfort of the p a tie n t; in keeping all utensils and appliances perfectly clean and disinfected; in making accurate observations of the pulse, temperature, res
piration, expectorations, the secretions and state of the skin, of mental conditions as to delirium, dementia, e tc.; of the condition as to sleep, appetite, effects of diet or of stimulants and medicines, and in the managing of cases of senility and senile dementia. Pupils are taught the administering of medicines and the application of external remedies; how to take notes on cases, the making up of a nurse’s record, and the reports to the attending physician.
Candidates w ill be received between the ages of twenty- one and th irty years. They must be of sound health. They should send a brief personal history, and give the names and addresses of responsible persons not of their own kin, who know their good character and capabilities. Upon the approved recommendation of the Superintendent they w ill be received for one month on probation.
A t the end of the first month, candidates, if considered satisfactory to the authorities in charge of the Hospital, are permitted to join the school upon signing an agreement to complete the prescribed course of two years, and to conform to all rules.
The rig h t is reserved by the authorities of the Hospital to terminate, at any time, the connection of any p up il fo r ineffi
ciency, misconduct, generally unsatisfactory record, or for any other reason which may be deemed sufficient.
W hile the education and training which are afforded are intended to be a fu ll equivalent for their services there is given the pupils, toward defraying the ir necessary personal expenses, ten dollars per month during the first year, and twelve dollars per month fo r the second year.
I f pupils successfully fu lfil the requirements for the fu ll term of two years and pass the necessary examinations they w ill, upon the termination of their service, receive the diploma of the Hospital.
There are no fixed dates for the beginning of service, but accepted candidates may enter whenever vacancies occur.
Pupils are required to wear the Training School uniform after they join the school.
l i s t o f g r a d u a t e s, l o n g i s l a n d h o s p i t a l
TRAIN IN G SCHOOL FOR NURSES.
(A rra n g e d a cco rd in g to y e a r a n d sequence in g ra d u a tio n .)
1896.
Miss E m ily Bradford, Miss M ary Carmen, Mrs. Addie G. Flood, Miss Mary MacAdam, Miss Alice G. Proctor, Miss Lena Boutellier, Miss H . Pearl Hyde,
Miss A rsilla M . Lisson, Miss M ary McManus, Mrs. Bridget T. Salmon, Miss Elizabeth H. Sullivan, Miss Mabel Sadlier, Miss Rachael M. Watson.
Miss E d ith M . Rose, Miss Daisy M . Story, Miss V . M erle Bacon, Miss Betsie F. Leonard, Miss Catharine McDonald,
1897.
Miss Florence McDonald, Mrs. Géorgie Lynch, Miss Clara A. Reed, Miss Erm inie Mercier.
1898.
1 here were no graduates as the course was extended from one year
^ o. Future graduates w ill take the course of two years.
1899.
Miss Katherine Belle MacAdam, Miss Margaret A. Kelley, Miss W inifred Dillon, Miss M ary B. A. Wells, Miss M ary E. Fenton, Mrs. Ellen Dwyer,
Miss Delia J. Riley, Miss Sara E. MacGowan, Miss M yretta E. Waite, Miss Julia Kelleher,
Miss Rebecca M. Sullivan, Miss Annie R. Gordon, Miss Elsie Young, Miss L ilian Queenan, Miss Margaret L. Corbett, Miss Margaret J. Crain, Miss Gustena E. Gatchell, Miss Anna O’Connor, Miss Christine Chisholm, Mrs. Catherine Berry.
Miss Priscilla McKenzie, Miss Caroline J. F 0Ss,
Iiss Christine Macintosh, Miss Mabel A. Howard,
1900.
Miss M atilda C. Crane, Miss M ary A. Sweeney, Miss M ary T. Thompson, Miss Frances McKenzie.
22 Cit y Do c u m e n t No. 28.
APPENDIX.
TA B U LA R FIN A N C IA L STATEMENTS.
Ex p e n d it u r e s f o r Alm s h o u s e a n d Ho s p it a l, Lo n g Is l a n d, 1900-1901.
Salaries :
Arthur T. Hopkins, Superintendent, Dec. 15, 1899, to Dec. 1, 1900 Archibald J. Ranney, Supt. & Re
Phys., Dec, 1, to Dec, 15, 1900 Employees, Dec. 15, 1899, to Dec. 15
1900
Food . . . .
Fuel . . . .
Repairs and improvements Clothing
Medical and surgical supplies Furniture and upholstery Agricultural .
Household supplies Bedding
Tobacco and snuff . Electric lights
Soap and laundry supplies Religious services . Liquors .
Printing Burials . Disinfectants Postage . Transportation
Entertainment of inmates Telephone
Library and school supplies Advertising; .
Oils
Massage lessons Ice
Freight Stationery Gasoline
$2,875 00 125 00 26,856 77
-$29,856 77 . 39,599 01 15,561 42 9,129 22 4,225 82 4,208 61 3,202 57 3,181 55 1,796 41 1,208 65 928 95 898 00 700 24 588 76 443 11 429 27 233 34 174 63 174 51 165 90 152 58 128 15 120 62 93 01 79 28 75 00 68 40 55 94 54 55 5 45
$117,539 82
Ex p e n d it u r e s fo r Alm s h o u s e f o r Wo m e n a n d Ag e d Co u p l e s, Ch a r l e s t o w n, 1900-1901.
Salaries :
Sarah G . Weeden, Superintendent,
Dec. 15, 1899, to Dec. 15, 1900 . $1,200 00 Employees, Dec. 15, 1899, to Dec. 15,
1900 ... 2,318 04
---$3,518 04
Food . . . 4,314 78
Repairs and improvements . 1,452 29
Fuel . . . . 1,250 51
Agricultural . . . 723 45
Clothing . . . 400 73
Furniture and upholstery 327 90
Ice . . . 211 97
G-as . . . 186 71
Household supplies 138 15
Water . . . 133 20
Soap and laundry supplies 117 96
Medical and surgical supplies , 102 92
Telephone . . . 95 25
Tobacco and snuff . . . . 81 30
Bedding . . . 59 80
Liquor . . . 53 12
Advertising . . . 19 25
Library and school supplies 15 00
Post age. . . 15 00
Freight . . . 12 50
Stationery . . . 7 85
Printing 6 51
Entertainment of inmates 5 00
Transportation . . . . 5 00
Total . . . .$13,254 19
Ex p e n d it u r e s fo r
Salaries . Printing Stationery Telephone Furniture Postage
Incidental expenses Transportation Freight
“ Of f ic e Ex p e n s e, ” 1900-1901.
... $3,325 89 ... 682 23 ... 223 50 ... 164 00 ... 81 99 ... 62 07 ... 21 04 ... 6 31 55 T o ta l . ... $4,567 58
24 Cit y Do c u m e n t No. 28.
Ex p e n d it u r e s fo r Pa u p e r Ex p e n s e, 1900-1901.
Support of Poor at Massachusetts Hospital for Con
sumptives and Tuberculous Patients . Support of Poor in charge of Cities and Towns Support of Poor in charge of Commonwealth Burials
$546 379 267 10
69 94 12 00
Total . . . . .
Ex p e n d it u r e s f o r St e a m e r “ Jo h n Ho w a r d, ”
Salaries of captain and crew . Repairs
Fuel .
Chandlery and supplies Meals .
Use of boats Water . Furniture
Total . . . .
Re c a p it u l a t io n o f Ex p e n d it u r e s.
Almshouse and Hospital, Long Island
A townUSe f01 W °men and A Sed Couples, Charles Office expense
Pauper expense . Steamer ‘ ’ John Howard
Total
• $1,203 75
1900-1901 . $3,622 84
2,136 70 1,672 51 814 38 274 00 70 00 10 00 2 50 . $8,602 93
$117,539 82 . 13,254 19 4,567 58 1,203 75 8,602 93
$145,168 27
IN C O M E .
Accounts De p o s it e d w i t h t h e Cit y Co l l e c t o r o n Ac c o u n t of In c o m e o f t h e In s t it u t io n s f o r t h e Ye a r e n d in g Ja n- u a r y 31, 1901.
Almshouse and Hospital, Long Island.
Board o f in m a te s ... $3,056 96 Medical care of soldiers . . . 20 00 Medical care of workmen of Harvey T . Pierce . 72 00 Medicines for House of Reformation . . . 21 60 Physicians’ fees . . . 50 00
T o t a l ... $3,220 56 Almshouse f o r Women and Aged Couples, Charlestown.
Board of inmates . . . $717 55
Co m p a r is o n o f Accounts De p o s it e d w it h Cit y Co l lec to r on Acco unt of In co m e fo r t h e Ye a r s e n d in g Ja n u a r y 31, 1900 a n d Ja n u a r y 31, 1901.
J a n u a ry 31, 1900.
J a n u a ry 31,
1901. In cre a se . D ecrease.
A i™lanaUSe a n d H o s Pi t a l > L o n g
$3,487 84
608 73
$3,220 56
717 55
$267 28 A f w l i ï use î ? r W o m e n a n a A g e d
o uples, C h a rle s to w n ... $108 82
T o ta ls __ $4,096 57 $3,938 11 $158 46
= = - ---
Ac iu a l Co l l e c t io n s m a d e b y Ci t y Co llec to r on Acco unt of In comeo f In s t it u t io n s fo rt h e Ye a r e n d in g Ja n u a r y 31, 1901.
Boston Almshouse and Hospital, Long Island . . $6,072 87
°oston Almshouse for Women and Aged Couples,
Charlestown . . . . _ . . 571 43
Total . $6,644 30
26 Ci t y Do c u m e n t No. 28.
Comparison of Expenditures of the Institutions for the Years ending January 31, 1900, and January 31, 1901.
E x p e n d itu re f o r 12 m o n th s.
In c re a s e . D ecrease.
E n d in g J a n . 31, 1900.
E n d in g J a n . 31,1901.
A lm s h o u s e a n d H o s p ita l,
L o n g I s la n d ... $97,497 09
13,924 30
$117,539 82
13,254 19
$20,042 73
$670 11 A lm s h o u s e f o r W o m e n
a n d A g e d C o u p l e s , C h a rle s to w n ... .
T o ta ls ... $111,421 39 $130,794 01 $19,372 62
Comparison of Actual Cost of the Institutions for the Years ending January 31, 1900 and January 31, 1901.
1900. 1901.
A c tu a l
cost. E x p e n d e d . A c tu a l
incom e. A c tu a l
cost. In cre a se . D e crease.
A lm sh o u se a n d H o s
p ita l, L o n g Is la n d , $94,646 67 $117,539 82 $6,072 87 $111,466 9.7 $16,820 28 A l m s h o u s e f o r
W o m e n a n d A g e d C ouples, C h a rle s
to w n ... 13,403 22 13,254 19 571 43 12,682 76 $720 46
T o ta ls ... $130,794 01 $6,644 30 $124,149 71 $16,099 82
Average Expenditure for, and Actual Costof, each Inmateof the Institutions forthe Yearending January81, 1901.
Expenditure. Ac t u a l Co s t.
P e r Y e a r. P e r W e e k. P e r Y e a r. P e r W e e k.
A lm s h o u s e a n d H o s p ita l, L o n g
I s l a n d ... $190 SO $ 3 66 $180 66 $ 3 47 A lm s h o u s e f o r W o m e n a n d A g e d
C ouples, C h a rle s to w n ... 142 52 2 74 136 37 2 62
