Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1876.djvu/29

Rh For the erection and fitting up of a separate building for the accommodation and treatment of female patients, three hundred and ninety-five thousand dollars, ($395,000,) one-half of which is asked for expenditure in the year 1877-'78.

The board of visitors earnestly represent the necessity of these additional facilities.

In view of the fact that the present building and apparatus for providing meats, bread, washing, and baking were designed for an institution accommodating 350 patients and the requisite number of officers and employes for that number, it would appear necessary that greater accommodation should be provided for the present force, which is nearly double that for which provision was made. I therefore recommend the improvements suggested by the board as worthy the favorable consideration of Congress.

In my last report I favored the recommendations of the board of visitors in relation to the erection of a separate building for the care and treatment of female patients. Aside from the propriety of separating the sexes, so as to allow greater freedom to each, the overcrowded condition of the present building renders additional accommodations necessary, and as the proposed extension is urgently recommended by the board of visitors and superintendent, not only for the proper accommodation of the patients, but for the better treatment of both sexes, I renew my former recommendation, and ask for the proposed improvement the favorable consideration of Congress.

There has been no change in the resident officers in the course of the year. They have been diligent and faithful in the discharge of their delicate and responsible duties. As a rule, the attendants have been kind to the patients and have performed their duties in a satisfactory manner. The general management of the institution has been good, and its results commend it to the continued confidence and support of the Government.

DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM.

During the year ending June 30,1876, 100 pupils—85 males and 15 females&#8212;received instruction in the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. Of this number 53 were in the collegiate and 47 in the primary department.

The general health of the institution has been good, only one death having occurred during the year.

The receipts during the year, including a balance of $3,991.81 on hand at the beginning of the year, were $56,813.76, and the disbursements $54,676.75, leaving an unexpended balance of $2,137.01.

For the extension and fitting up of buildings during the year ending June 30, 1876, the sum of $40,070.96 has been expended.

The estimates submitted for the next fiscal year are as follows: For the support of the institution, including salaries and incidental expenses, and $500 for books and illustrative apparatus, $51,000.