REPORT OF THE MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT. FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1898. To the Board of Managers of the Stockton State Hospital: GENTLEMEN: As by law required I submit my report of the business and operations of the hospital for the fiscal year ending with June 30, 1898, showing the principal facts and results. From the "Summary of Movement of Patients" it will be seen that at the beginning of the year there were 1,521 patients under my charge, and that the number admitted during the year was 305, making the whole number under care and treatment 1,826; of this number, 75 were discharged as recovered, 34 as improved, 5 as unimproved, and 5 as not insane; 136 died, and 14 successfully escaped, leaving 1,557 patients in the hospital on June 30, 1898. This is an increase of 36. The table of general statistics shows that since the opening of the institution in 1851 there have been admitted 14,648 patients, of which 11,134 were males and 3,554 were females, 5,838 native born, 8,178 foreign born, and 632 of unknown nativity; that the percentage of recoveries to admissions was 26.23, and that the percentage of deaths to the whole number treated was 7.45. From the tables showing the transactions of the Steward's Department it will be seen that the total amount of articles consumed and other expenditures, including payroll and pay of Managers, was $193,733 65; this is $8,766 35 less than appropriation for the support of the hospital and the salaries of the officers and employés. The per capita cost per diem was 34.5 cents. The economic display above, in connection with the generally improved condition of the institution and the good reputation which I believe it maintains, is evidence that there has been intelligent, honest, and harmonious effort, on the part of those to whom this great trust has been confided, to bring about the best possible results, having due consideration for the taxpayer. One illustration of our successful efforts in economy will be found in the result of what, when first projected and begun in 1894, seemed a difficult problem: that of supplying a sufficient volume of water to change the place from what was a comparative desert to its present and prospective beautiful and productive condition. Aside from the improved appearance of the place, the money value of the products of the farm. and garden for the past year was $8,535 67, and of the dairy $6,374 58, a total of $14,910 25. The daily average for the past two years of patients under restraint in the men's department was 29, in the women's department, 12; the average number employed in the halls of the men's department daily was 120, in the women's department, 75; the average number male patients. employed in the several offices, workshops, kitchens, stable, and dairy was 58; the average number employed on the grounds was 110; the average number of female patients employed in the sewing-room, laundry, and ironing-room was 38; the average number of male patients having parole of the grounds was 253. The usual tabular statements follow, furnishing the required statistical information. They do not seem to require elucidation or comment. I desire here to say that I believe we have been especially fortunate in the service rendered by the medical staff, and the officers and employés generally. It demands qualities, mental and physical, in some respects considerably above the average, to meet the requirements of a hospital for the insane. Hence it follows that, among so many who are given a trial, not a few will be found for whom some other employment is more congenial. Ordinary discrimination on the part of the executive easily remedies matters of this sort. Thanking you, gentlemen, for many courtesies and favors received, I remain, |