Fourteenth annual report of the State Asylum for the Chronic Insane of Pennsylvania : for the year ending September 30, 1907 South Mountain.

  • State Asylum for the Chronic Insane of Pennsylvania.
Date:
[1908?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Fourteenth annual report of the State Asylum for the Chronic Insane of Pennsylvania : for the year ending September 30, 1907 South Mountain. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    opened by the Executive Committee, in the presence of the bid¬ ders, and upon the report of the Committee the contracts are always awarded to the lowest bidders, they having furnished approved bonds. This course has been followed since 1894, to the mutual satisfaction of the bidders and the Asylum author¬ ities. A Joint Committee of the Select and Common Councils of the City of Philadelphia upon Health and Charities, visited the Asylum and made a complete inspection of the farm and build¬ ings. They were accompanied by Joseph S. Neff, M.D., Di¬ rector of the Department of Health and Charities of Philadel¬ phia. They also expressed their satisfaction with the methods pursued in caring for the insane. The City of Philadelphia contributes to the support of 397 patients. The State Medical Society, holding its annual session at Reading, visited the Asylum and likewise commended the au¬ thorities. The sight of insane men working in the fields with¬ out any except the ordinary farm fences was a striking nov¬ elty to many of the visitors. The Association of Superintendents and Trustees of the Hospitals for Insane in Pennsylvania, Dr. John B. Chapin, President, held their semi-annual meeting at the Asylum in September, 1906, and as a part of their official duties visited the various buildings and the farm. They likewise expressed their satisfaction with the condition of the patients and build¬ ings. Tree Planting. Under the supervision of the Superintend¬ ent and the advice of the Landscape Committee and Mr. Ogels- by Paul, the landscape gardener of Fairmount Park, Philadel¬ phia, 2,000 trees were planted during the year in the tract re¬ cently bought to protect the water supply. Many of these trees and the bushes also planted will be nut-bearing. This fact, and the opening of park roads through the large tract, will add to the enjoyment of the patients in future years. We propose to erect there shelters and to make it a Recreation Park where the patients can be taken during the summer months. The action of the Governor and Legislature, in authorizing the pur¬ chase of this tract at a very moderate cost, will prove to be of great value in future years.