REPORT OF TRUSTEES.. To His Excellency, MYRON T. HERRICK, Governor of Ohio. SIR:-The report of the Cleveland State Hospital herewith submitted is the fiftieth, which suggests the fact that this is one of the old institutions of the state. It is our hope that age has not in any way impaired its efficiency but that with the liberal support which the Legislature affords it is becoming more and more widely useful. The relations between the trustees and officers being in every way harmonious and sympathetic, it necessarily follows that the reports of Dr. Adams B. Howard, Supt., and Thomas Austin, Financial Officer, transmitted herewith,are our reports. We can add little to them; but we can and do express our appreciation of the devotion of these officers to their work. The duties of the other officers and employees, as well as of those at the head, are of an exacting and difficult nature and they have been excellently well performed at a compensation in many cases below that which would seem to be just for hours and character of service exacted. We call particular attention to recmmendation of the superintendent in this respect. While we have been particularly anxious to keep the per capita expense of this institution as low as possible without impairing efficiency and to that end have extended and are constantly extending the system of competitive bidding for supplies, have no desire to cut down our per capita at the expense of imposing excessive burdens. on worthy employees. From the report of Dr. Howard an idea may be obtained of the extent to which he has been able to afford healthful employment for the inmates. The evil of idleness mid such surroundings as are inevitable in an institution of this kind is appalling and perhaps greater than the evil of idleness anywhere else, and it is the hope of the officers and trustees that by giving employment to the inmates they are helping them to recovery or at least to amelioration of their condition, as well as reducing the burden of the institution upon the tax payers of the state. If the Legislature shall, in its wisdom, see fit to afford us greater opportunity for employing the inmates the result will, we believe, be proportionately greater in improving the physical and mental condition of the patients and reducing expenses. Respectfully submitted, President. J. S. ELLEN, J. T. KELLY. N. P. NICHOLS. Vice President. GEO. L. FORDYCE, W. H. SMILEY. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT. To the Board of Trustees, Cleveland State Hospital: GENTLEMEN: I respectfully submit the annual report of the Cleveland State Hospital for the fiscal year ending Nov. 15th, 1904. Twenty-seven patients were admitted under the provisions of the new law enacted in 1902, allowing voluntary commitment, at the discretion of the superintendent, to remain under treatment for sixty days, which has proven a benefit to many and saved them the embarrassment and publicity of commitment by court. As the number is restricted to five patients at any one time, it would, in my opinion, be well if the limit could be removed entirely, thus affording a greater number to take advantage of such treatment without being adjudged insane. The institution has been practically free from contagious diseases, other than a few cases of erysipelas and the tuberculars, which are found in every large institution to some extent. It is with regret that two cases of suicide occurred. On Nov. 15th, 1903, the number of patients was 1155, 614 of whom were men and 541 women. The number admitted during the year was 432, 249 men and 183 women. Of this number 341 came directly from their homes and 91 were transferred from the city infirmary. Of those who were discharged, 118 recovered, 57 improved, 150 unimproved, and 68 died. The number of men recovered was 67, and women 51; improved 35 men and 22 women; unimproved 75 men and 75 women. Of those who died there were 43 men and 25 women. Included in the discharges are 79 men and 59 women who were transferred to Massillon Hospital to make room for the patients from the city infirmary. About 150 are still remaining at the infirmary, which will be transferred to this institution at the completion of the new infirmary building. is 25. Four per cent of patients admitted were suffering from paresis. The percentage of recoveries on the number admitted during the year The percentage of deaths on the whole number under treatment is 3.75. Of those who died 15 were in the hospital less than three months, 8 less than six months, 6 less than one year, 9 less than two years, 14 less than five years, and 16 over five years. The ages of those admitted were as follows: |