REPORT OF VISITATION OF ALMSHOUSES IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. To the State Board of Charities: The report of visitation of almshouses in the Fourth Judicial District is herewith submitted. During the fiscal year ending September 30, 1909, all the almshouses were twice inspected by an inspector in the employ of the Board. Important improvements have been made in most of the institutions. Electric lights and a power laundry were installed in the Clinton County Almshouse, fire pails provided and the grounds and farm improved. Extensive renovation was made in the Franklin County Almshouse. The St. Lawrence County Almshouse has new windows and porches and the cow barn was completely overhauled to make it sanitary. The Fulton County Almshouse has been pointed up, repainted throughout and placed in first class condition. The cemetery was graded, fenced, a monument erected and markers provided for the graves. Two new buildings were erected at the Montgomery County Almshouse, a barn and a combination carriage house, carpenter shop and root cellar. Schenectady County Almshouse has a detention hospital for suspected cases of insanity, a glass enclosed corridor for consumptive patients, heating in the men's dormitories and additional toilet facilities. Metal sheathing was extensively applied at Essex and Washington County Almshouses, and Saratoga County Almshouse was repainted throughout. Of the ten almshouses in the district, three are graded as first class in plant and five as first class in administration. Three almshouses are under new administration. On the whole it may be said that the standard of almshouse administration has advanced, a better grade of officers is secured now than ever before, and the reproach which formerly attached to almshouses is passing away. Laymen who visit and inspect the institutions are surprised to note the changes which have been wrought within a few years, and the inmates express themselves as well satisfied with their general care. The weakest point in the equipment of most of the institutions is the means for segregating and nursing the sick. As originally constructed no almshouse in the district has ample hospital accommodations. This defect has been remedied in a few instances. A private benefactor has presented Saratoga county with a fully equipped county hospital. A building formerly used for the insane was converted into a men's hospital at Washington County Almshouse. At Warren County Almshouse a new frame building was recently erected as a hospital for men. Schenectady County Almshouse has two hospital pavilions, besides the detention hospital and glass enclosed corridor for tuberculosis, but the means of caring for the sick are so scattered and inadequate for the larger needs of the county that it is recommended that a new county hospital be erected on the almshouse grounds. In the remaining almshouses some part of the almshouse building is set apart for hospital purposes or else the sick remain in their own rooms. Neither of these arrangements is satisfactory, and detached hospitals are recommended in Fulton, Montgomery and St. Lawrence County Almshouses. A statement regarding the condition and needs of each almshouse and a statistical summary conclude the report. Respectfully submitted, (Signed) RICHARD L. HAND, Commissioner, Fourth Judicial District. Clinton County Almshouse, Beekmantown, N. Y. Capacity, 125. Estimated value, $81,000. This new almshouse, built on the cottage plan, consists of four brick buildings of two stories each. Each dormitory building has two sitting rooms, a large hospital room, and well aired dormitories. The plumbing is modern, there is electric lighting, steam heating, an adequate water supply, a power laundry and excellent kitchen equipment. The grounds are fine and the inmates have porches to sit on. A hospital attendant is employed and the institution is clean and orderly throughout. Fire risers, hose and fire |