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The buildings seemed to be well sewered; an Akron pipe conducts all the sewage to a point on the farm nearly one hundred rods distant, where it is used for fertilizing purposes. The plumbing is of fair quality, although the traps under several of the sinks are not modern fixtures, and whenever repairs are made they should be replaced by some which cannot be siphoned.

The very few insane persons which the county maintains at this institution, incurable cases, are confined in the second story of the L. In this department there are six rooms about 8x10 on the floor and 11 feet high, with one good-sized window, protected by an iron screen, for each room. Each room has a bed like those in the other part of the institution. There is a transom over each door, but beyond this there is no means of ventilation; in each room is a small radiator for heating purposes.

It should be said in connection with this subject that Cheshire county has for several years taken a position in advance of the other counties of the State in caring for her insane. This county has for a long time past maintained at the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane nearly twice as many inmates as any other county in the State, notwithstanding it is one of the smallest. These humane efforts in the management of its insane reflect great credit upon the county.

At the end of the main building is a small, one-story, wooden structure used chiefly for a laundry, although in a corner room was found a partially demented man suffering with some form of chronic disease. This was a bad and offensive case, but the quarters in which he was located seemed scarcely suitable, notwithstanding the circumstances of the case. This wooden building, however, is to be removed early in the spring, and a substantial brick building erected for the purpose of furnishing the institution with an ample laundry and also for the detention of the incurable insane.

The water supply of the institution is abundant and of most excellent quality, coming from springs on the distant hillsides. The buildings are heated by steam, and judging from the number of radiators, which seemed to be well distributed, there ought to be no complaint of cold. At the time of inspection there were sixty-four inmates.

The institution is at present under the management of Mr. H.

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D. Pierce, wife, and daughter, who have occupied this position only a few months. The superintendent's residence is not connected with the almshouse; it is a cottage house with an L, and is evidently suitable for its purpose.

SULLIVAN COUNTY ALMSHOUSE.

This institution is located at Unity, about four miles from the nearest railway station, Claremont. It contained at the time of inspection sixty-five inmates, six confined in the asylum for the insane, and twelve children under ten years of age.

dren attend the district school.

The chil

In 1883 this Board made some criticisms upon the condition of the buildings, accompanied by recommendations, some of which have since been carried out. The changes made since that time consist of an improvement in ventilation; the fitting up of bathrooms; the substitution of steam heat for the thirteen stoves which were formerly required to heat the building; the building of an asylum for the insane to take the place of the miserable pens in the second story of an old shed in which these inmates were formerly confined, and a marked improvement in the general sanitary condition of the institution over that of former years. All this has been done since 1883, at which time the buildings were in a deplorably bad condition.

The buildings consist of the almshouse, A; the asylum for the insane, B; the superintendent's house, C, besides stable, sheds, and other out-buildings.

Notwithstanding the institution has been so materially improved during the last few years, there is still considerable that ought to be done. The floors are in a very bad condition, and with the exception of two rooms have never been painted. They were laid of spruce boards, evidently not well seasoned, as evidenced by the wide cracks, and they have worn so rough that it is with difficulty they can be washed. The door sills are also badly worn, some of them nearly through. The walls, as well as the ceiling, are badly cracked and broken, and should be thoroughly repaired and dressed with whitewash or some other preparation. Owing to the facts above stated, it is impossible to keep the house free from vermin, the fissures and cracks offering a safe hiding place,

although by constant care the matron is able to keep them reduced in numbers.

The plumbing and drainage are defective and should be reconstructed. The bathtubs, as well as the sinks connected therewith, both upon the men's and the women's side, are without traps. The drainage from the kitchen is also defective in a like manner. The privies to both the main house and the asylum were in a very bad condition, those connected with the main house constituting an every-day nuisance. They should be abandoned at once and a water-carriage system substituted. It is understood that the commissioners have given this subject some consideration, and the improvements will probably be carried out within a short time. The water supply of the institution is of fine quality and ample for domestic purposes, so there is no obstacle in the way of making this change.

The asylum for the insane contains eight rooms. At the time of the inspection six inmates, females, were constantly confined in it. This building is new and in very good condition, with painted floors and good walls. The ventilating flues placed in each room are too small. In those rooms in which the windows were closed the atmosphere was quite offensive. The attic should be provided with a ventilating flue, as it was closed and exceedingly hot and thus prevented a free circulation of air. When this building was constructed, a system of ventilation was put in by the commissioners which was undoubtedly considered ample at that time, but which experience has proved insufficient. There is no attendant at the asylum at night or other time, except when the matron or her daughter goes there. The bathtubs of the asylum are untrapped.

Regarding the general cleanliness of the entire institution, it may be said to be in a fairly good condition. No pains is spared by the matron to do all in her power in this direction, and whatever was observed to be incompatible with cleanliness was due to the structural defects of the building rather than to neglect.

There is no provision for extinguishing fire, other than with pails. A stationary ladder is placed upon the side of the building and extends over the roof, but this would avail nothing if the fire should get under headway. We would suggest that a tank be built in the attic, with a proper distribution of pipes, and hose

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