PUBLIC AND CHARITABLE INSTI

TUTIONS.

COÖS COUNTY ALMSHOUSE.

An official visit to this institution, at Stewartstown, was made in January. Number of inmates, between eighty-five and ninety, twenty of whom were insane.

The sanitary condition of this institution can be classed as good, though there are some conditions that might be improved

upon.

The buildings are, with the exception of the barn, somewhat old, though many modern improvements have been added from time to time, till many of the former faults have been remedied. Within two years, stoves have given place to steam radiators, which for many reasons are a great improvement in an institution of this character, the lessened danger from fire not being the least. The several chimneys, which originally accommodated the many stoves. are now used for ventilating flues with excellent results. The number of radiators and pipes now in use somewhat overheat the rooms, thereby causing a strong draft of air to ascend the chimneys mentioned, insuring a free atmospheric circulation in the building, maintaining excellent ventilation.

Several feet distant from the main building, upon a steep bank, stand the closets, with ordinary vaults, the contents of which are utilized upon the farm. No system of sewerage is in any way connected with these vaults.

The ordinary waste from the house, kitchen, and sinks is conveyed to the foot of the bank mentioned, by a sewer. In this method are some defects which should be remedied. The sewer has no system of ventilation, and is not properly trapped. A small expense would ventilate the sewer, and place the traps in their proper positions.

The water supply is from a reservoir upon an elevation one hundred and twenty feet above the foundation of the buildings, and is connected with the same by a four-inch pipe. Outside the main building is a hydrant, to be used in case of fire, and for any other purposes required. The capacity of the reservoir is not sufficient at all times to furnish an amount of water adequate to perfectly operate a system of water-carriage for the entire sewerage of the place. Mr. Hannaford, the Superintendent, thinks that a small sum of money, possibly three hundred dollars, would increase the amount of water, so that it could be made available for general sewerage purposes, much to the advantage of the institution.

Fire escapes have recently been placed in three different locations upon the building, so that the danger from such a source has been reduced to a minimum.

The general appearance of the institution is most commendable, and while, as has been suggested, some additional improvements in the sanitary and hygienic appointments are to be desired, it will compare most favorably with similar institutions.

It is suggested that the County Commissioners take into consideration the subject of the changes suggested, and present the same, with estimates of cost, to the next meeting of the county convention, when doubtless a sufficient appropriation would be made to make such additional improvements as might seem best for the interests of the county, and the welfare of the inmates of the institution.

GRAFTON COUNTY ALMSHOUSE.

This institution was paid an official visit in January. Found one hundred and thirty-two patients, twenty-five of whom were in the insane department.

The sanitary and hygienic conditions seemed to be in a very good state, although, like all institutions, there is room for improvements. The location of the buildings is most favorable for perfect drainage and sewerage, being situated on a high tableland only a few rods from the Connecticut river, in Haverhill. The sewage of this institution is discharged, by water-carriage, into the river mentioned. The sewer system I should judge to

be well planned, but the policy of having the water-closets in the house which the inmates occupy should be looked upon with suspicion.

From the character of the inmates, general and constant cleanliness cannot be maintained, except through the constant vigilance of attendants. This is at times liable to be overlooked, and the resulting consequences can better be imagined than described. The management of this institution is in the hands of Mr. I. K. George and his efficient wife, and cannot be too highly complimented.

CHESHIRE COUNTY ALMSHOUSE.

The hygienic and sanitary condition of this institution is worthy of especial mention, and probably is not excelled, if equalled, in this respect by any similar institution in the state. Its location at Westmoreland in the Connecticut valley is unsurpassed, the building, a commodious brick structure, standing upon an elevation such as has remarkable natural drainage for the soil upon which the house is built. Consequently the first requisite in the sanitary conditions of any building. i. e., a suitable soil for the site, is well filled.

The building was erected fifteen years ago, and it would seem that more than usual attention was given to the subject of sewerage and ventilation. In the construction of the building a large flue was made in the middle of same, extending from the basement to the cupola. This is so situated that all the principal rooms on all the floors are made accessible to it. Formerly the building was heated by a furnace, and the hot air pipes to the various rooms were conducted by the way of the flue mentioned, and the heated air delivered through ample registers, placed in the walls just above the base-boards to the several apartments. Opening into this ventilating flue were apertures for the exit of vitiated air, thus giving an excellent circulation. Subsequently steam has been put in, in a most efficient manner for direct radiation. In all the rooms and halls radiators are to be found sufficient to insure comfort at all seasons. After the steam was introduced, the former avenues of escape for the vitiated air were closed, and some changes made, so that the registers near the

floor, which were used for hot air when the furnace was in operation, are used for ventilation, and most efficiently do they perform that service. This system of ventilating from near the floor gives much better satisfaction than did the openings higher up in the wall.

The entire absence of odors generally noticeable in such an institution, and the remarkably pure air of the different apartments, were strikingly apparent.

The next commendable feature is the existence of the waterclosets in a separate building some forty feet distant from the main building. Connected with this little building is a sewer conducting all the waste material to a cesspool several rods distant in the field beyond the highway. The sewage is constantly carried to the cesspool by water, all the overflow from the surplus water of the main building being conducted to these waterclosets, as well as all the water from the various sinks and the laundry.

Not only is all the waste rapidly and efficiently carried away, but it is all utilized by dry earth, muck, etc., at the cesspool, for fertilizing the farm.

Sufficient water pressure is obtained by a large tank, built in the attic of the main building; from this pipes are conducted to the several sinks, etc. The rooms of the building are commodious, well lighted, and, as before mentioned, well warmed and ventilated. Although my visit was wholly unexpected by the Superintendent, everything was in perfect order, and, for general cleanliness and orderly arrangement of details, certainly cannot be excelled.

The efficient Manager, Mr. Arad Fletcher, has been in charge of the institution since its existence (15 years), with the exception of the first six months after the building was erected. Too much praise cannot be given to his management. Mr. Fletcher informed me there had never been a case of typhoid or other zymotic disease at the institution, which fact is a sufficient commentary upon the sanitary condition of the premises.

Upon the average there are about sixty inmates. The insane ward, which contained eleven inmates, all chronic cases from the N. H. Insane Asylum, is ample, and upon a plan similar to that

of the State Asylum. Order and method seemed to be everywhere characteristic, and there is much that would be worthy of adoption in similar institutions of the state.

DISINFECTION.

Disinfectants must often be relied upon to prevent the spread of disease. In certain cases the secretions should be thoroughly disinfected, and in others the products of the skin should receive like attention. The atmosphere of the room, clothing, cloths, etc., etc., require purification.

Many preparations and compounds used for such purposes are almost entirely worthless. The foremost on the list of efficient disinfectants are copperas, the salts of zinc, especially the sulphate and the chloride, and sulphur. The value of these has been thoroughly tested by the National Board of Health, and many other health organizations, hospitals, etc., and found to be effective, and to give the best satisfaction.

The following instructions have been issued by the National Board of Health :

:

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISINFECTION.

[Prepared for the National Board of Health.]

Disinfection is the destruction of the poisons of infectious and contagious diseases.

Deodorizers, or substances which destroy smells, are not necessarily disinfectants, and disinfectants do not necessarily have an odor.

Disinfection cannot compensate for want of cleanliness nor of ventilation.

I. Disinfectants to be employed.

(1.) Roll sulphur (brimstone) for fumigation.

(2.) Sulphate of iron (copperas) dissolved in water in the proportion of one and a half pounds to the gallon: for soil, sewers, etc.