Perspectives of Bigelow T. Sanborn Physician and Superintendent at the Maine Insane Asylum 1866 1910

December

• 
  Trustees liked my yearly report. They are highly pleased with the results of the year. It has been hard work for me. Health has not been good.
  
• 
  Had a Christmas tree for the patients.
  

1886

January

• 
  To Boston to look at heaters and boilers.
  
• 
  River ice being cut in front of hospital.
  
• 
  Trustees voted to buy a new boiler and two hot water heaters not to exceed $1,400.00.
  
• 
  Commenced cutting ice—is 15” thick.
  
• 
  Dictated 114 letters one evening.
  
• 
  We are having very little sickness among patients.
  

February

• 
  Visited Worcester hospitals. On return reached Cumberland Junction by train where I was snowbound. Very severe storm but had a jolly time.
  
• 
  We have 502 patients.
  

Spring

• 
  Have purchased two pairs of oxen.
  
• 
  All hands planting garden.
  
• 
  I am poorly—worn from much work and must have a vacation. Work is increasing constantly. Shall go away after next Trustees’ visit.
  

June

• 
  To Standish for vacation.
  
• 
  Sixteen new patients while I was away.
  

• 
  Haying at the hospital.
  
• 
  Took 80 patients to Hammonds Grove, patients behaving well.
  
• 
  We are building a greenhouse.
  

September

• 
  We are planning on new buildings and moving the old chapel building.
  
• 
  Meters begin set for introduction of gas from town.
  

1887

January

• 
  A female physician, Dr. M.E. Lowell, came to commence her duties.
  
• 
  Hanson the carpenter who was here at work is trying to make trouble for the hospital. I did not want him to come—bad man.
  
• 
  Visited Worcester hospitals and shopped in Boston for surgical instruments.
  
• 
  We have 537 patients.
  

February

• 
  Our appropriation passed the House without opposition.
  
• 
  A fire consumed our straw barns.
  
• 
  Heavy snowstorms.
  
• 
  Patients have been slowly increasing in numbers all winter.
  

April

• 
  Planted 125 trees.
  
• 
  State Board of Health visited and found things in good shape.
  

June

• 
  To Portland…to meeting of Maine Medical Association. Read my paper on “Employment of the Insane” and it was complimented by many.
  
• 
  Took exam before Board of Pharmacy. Board voted to give me a certificate.
  

1888

Winter

• Dictated 190 letters.

• 
  To psychological meeting in Boston…staying at Adams House. To Asylum in Westboro.
  
• 
  No horses are to be kept at the hospital except those owned by the institution.
  

April

• 
  Large number of visitors to see patients.
  
• 
  Trustees have rejected all bids for new building on account of exceeding the appropriation.
  

June

• 
  Patients are having sore throats. Possibility of diphtheria. Have isolated them.
  
• 
  Because of the epidemic I sent the family to Standish for over a month. After no new cases for a week I broke the quarantine.
  

Summer

• 
  Dictated over 250 letters.
  
• 
  Took a few days off and went to Standish and went blueberrying. Went to Portland to hear Blaine speak.
  
• 
  Epidemic resumed and I left Maude, Walter, and Ray [Dr. Sanborn’s children] with Melintha in Standish and took wife and Warnie [Dr. Sanborn’s oldest son] to Hotel North in Augusta for a month. Board $1.50 per day for the wife and children; all children at hotel later.
  

Fall

• 
  Trustees voted to have electric lights.
  
• 
  In October Governor granted a right of way through the Arsenal for a road for the hospital.
  
• 
  Moved family from hotel to Cony House. They all came home on Nov. 10…Five or six weeks after last case another occurred so I sent Maudie and Warnie to town to board again.
  

December

• 
  More diphtheria cases and I sent children back to Hotel North.
  

1889