From the Physician's Report
 WAUPACA COUNTY ASYLUM FOR CHRONIC INSANE

Transcribed by Paula Vaughan  June 2003

To The Honorable Board of Trustees of Waupaca County Insane Asylum

GENTLEMAN: I beg to present herewith my tenth annual report of the medical, sanitary and surgical department of the Asylum for the fiscal year ending June 30^th, 1912.

There has been nothing during the past year of an unusual nature. We have been free from epidemics and diseases that depend upon unsanitary conditions for their propagation. The general health of the patients has been fully up to the average and the unrest and disturbed conditions, characteristic of patients in similar institutions has been reduced to a minimum.

I have made one hundred and three visits during the year, and, while there has been but little ordinary sickness to take care of at these times, I have found that duties always await me, in imparting all the comfort and cheer to these afflicted people that lies within my power and to this end I am pleased to state I have always had the hearty co-operation of superintendent and matron and employees, Everything within our power has been done to mitigate the suffering, dispel the gloom and brighten the lives of those committed to our care.

We have not been unmindful of our duties concerning general sanitation, diet, clothing, etc. We have endeavored at all times to keep the institution sanitary and surroundings healthful.

The surgery has been very light, consisting of a few fractures, caused by unfavorable falls of the patient except in one instance where it resulted from an attempted escape.

Work has been encouraged in every possible way among those physically able and occupation of some agreeable nature has been, so far as possible, provided for the others. It is found that patients are much happier and better in every way when thus employed.

The mortality list of the year is made up of nine deaths as follows: Anton Nelson, age 39 died July 18, 1911, cause carcinoma. Max Girard, age 62, died July 31, 1911, cause uremia. Ira Smith, age 64, died Nov 28, 1911, uremia. George Kranz, age 61, died Jan. 14, 1912, cause, exhaustion of dementia. Frank Currier, age 57, died Feb 23, 1912, Pneumonia. Louisa Kickland, age 44, died Feb 27, 1912, cause, pulmonary edema. Sarah Osborne, age 86, died April 13, 1912, cause, pemphigus. Ed Keogh, age 72, died June 18, 1912, cause, exhaustion of dementia. Angie Kimball, age 42, died June 28, 1912.

I have no recommendations to make at this time except to direct your attention to the need of better sleeping quarters for the patients who work on the farm and are quite nights. There are quite a number in this class who do good work during the day and are entitled to a place to sleep at night where they would not be disturbed by the ravings and noise of the maniacs. At present they are not sufficiently isolated.

I would recommend a dormitory entirely detached from the rest of the building and make provision in the same for the farm employees and a room for the nightwatch where his sleeping hours during the day would be undisturbed. I would most earnestly suggest that you take steps at once to investigate this feature of the asylum.

In closing I wish to thank your Honorable Board for the consideration you have always given us, and, at the same time, thank superintendent and matron and attendants for their cordial support in my efforts to perform humane services for our patients.