Miss CATHERINE MURPHY, R. N..Chief Nurse, Peterson Hospital REPORT To the Legislature of the State of New York: The Board of Managers of the Craig Colony for Epileptics takes pleasure in presenting this, the Twenty-fourth Annual Report for the year ending June 30, 1917. Progressive Development and Ultimate Capacity As originally designed, it was the plan of the promoters of the Colony, holding in view the natural resources at our command, that greatest economy, highest efficiency and most beneficial service would result, if provision for housing and maintenance for at least two thousand patients be provided, and we request that funds for that purpose be appropriated. Salary and Wages Schedule The service in the institution and the "scientific and humane care and treatment" of the patients committed to our hands, have fallen short of the ideals of your board of managers, in that discrimination against the Colony, in comparison with State hospitals for the insane, reformatories and prisons, in the matter of granting like compensation for like service, so repeatedly reported d. to your body, continues to be practiced, in view of which, we respectfully request that this embarrassing condition be relieved and corrected. Maintenance Budget We desire again to renew our request that a more elastic system be established, simplifying the subdivisions and granting powers for the transfer of balances in case of need and emergency demands. Appropriations Recommended and Required In view of the greater cost of essential food stuffs, to satisfy the scientific demand for a proper diet for our patients, a larger fund will be necessary to meet the minimum needs of the Institution. This is equally applicable to the matter of coal, clothing, feed for cattle and horses, and various other materials and equipment that enter into the proper support of the Institution. The continued condition of increase of cost in all these items demands that a deficiency appropriation be provided to meet the needs of the current fiscal year. For several years, appropriations granted for repairs have been much below the amounts requested and recommended by your Board. The managers deeply deplore the shabby condition of the exterior of many buildings of the Colony, but in view of the limited appropriations for their upkeep, it is with great difficulty that even the most essential outside work is accomplished. New Construction and Furnishings. In order that the patients in the two new dormitories approaching completion, may enjoy proper conditions in matter of dining facilities, it is recommended that a new central kitchen and refectory be constructed in the West Group to meet this important demand. Before the two new dormitories in the West Group can be available for the housing and care of patients in that Group, it is absolutely necessary that proper and needful furniture and furnishings be installed therein, and funds sufficient for the purpose are requested. That we may invite and command a higher and more efficient grade of attendants and nurses in the Women's Group and further, that those in attendance upon the unfortunate dwellers in that field of our work may be relieved and removed from the depressing atmosphere of their daily service, it is most earnestly requested that there be constructed in that Group, a Nurses Home and dormitory, where such nurses and attendants may enjoy a social life and freedom from the disturbing and distracting influences of their professional work, to the end that better service may result, a happier condition enjoyed, and efficiency in the care and treatment of female patients, both women and children, be increased. The retaining wall along Kishaqua creek being erected for the purpose of protecting the power plant and the water filtration system, must be extended, for which additional funds will be necessary. This is most important, for if we are again to be deluged by high water the same as occurred last year, great damage and loss will ensue, and a destruction of both plants might follow. We desire to again call your attention to the great need of a Central Heating Plant and recommend that sufficient funds be appropriated for a general survey for the erection of the same: We further recommend that Willow pond, an artificial water basin, near the Village Green, be enlarged, in order that a supplemental water supply may be maintained, in order to meet emergency demands, that experience has proved necessary. Occupations for Patients We have felt since the establishment of the Colony that every possible occupation should be provided for the patients, not only because occupation has a remedial effect upon the Colonists, but because the real economic value in their work is shown in what they have accomplished in gardening, agriculture, forestry, and in the brick-making and tile-making plant during the past years. Diversity of occupations is much needed to meet individual talent and capacity, and we think appropriations should be regularly made to extend the department of Arts and Crafts and the Trades Schools. We have only one teacher of occupations for nearly 1,500 patients, which is the only one the State has ever provided, and this was done only the past year. We should have at least six teachers of occupations. In recommending and requesting the above, we have been seriously mindful of the general world conditions, the unusual demands on public and private purse, and the great burdens that have been precipitated on our nation, State and people, but we cannot, nor would we escape, our responsibility to those wards of the State to whom it is our duty and pleasure to minister, in view of which, we recommend and request the following appropriations, that we may fulfill our obligations to them, and to the State of New York, whose servants we have the honor to be. |