Seventeenth annual report of the managers of the Buffalo State Asylum for Insane for the year 1887.

  • Buffalo State Hospital
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Seventeenth annual report of the managers of the Buffalo State Asylum for Insane for the year 1887. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    i ! ■i ;] [j \: I* 1 E 4 V ( sioned by the unwillingness of the board to begin this work until the suit regarding the contract for stone used in erecting the present buildings had been settled. When the appropriation was asked for, it was thought that the decision of the Court of Claims was final, but the appeal subsequently taken by the Attorney General of the State to the Court of Appeals, leaves the questions involved still undetermined. To avoid further legal complications, the board of managers deemed it better to await the decision of the case by the court of last resort. The sum approjDriated for making the road-bed for the switch, has been expended and the work completed. The railroad company has in fulfillment of the agreement finished the road and it is now in use. It will result in a great saving to the institution in the trans¬ portation of coal and ice; and to the State, in the delivery upon the asylum grounds of material employed in future construction of buildings. The changes provided for in the main water supply pipe and in the condense pipe have been made. The first of them was neces¬ sary because the water pipe was placed, not only beneath the administration building, but also under one of the towers. In this position it was inaccessible, though in danger of being broken by any settling of the walls. It was laid before the filling in around the building was done, and by the grading the pipe was covered to the depth of fifteen feet. The difficulties already encountered in case of breakage on two occasions made apparent the need of a new loca¬ tion for the water main. It is now carried around the building under the drive way and thence by the main tunnel to the engine house. In the tunnel it is under immediate observation, and the part under¬ ground can be readily reached. The enlargement of the main steam condense pipe, from four to six inches, prevents all noise in the return of water of condensation, and provides for future extension of the ward buildings, while the sus¬ pension of the pipe by hangers from the cross tunnel, clears a passage for the tramway from the present kitchen to the proposed new ward building. Besides the improvements provided for by the special appropria¬ tions of the Legislature, others have been made in connection with the care and repair of the buildings, from the current funds of the institution. The work of replacing the window^ guards of the women’s wards, referred to in previous reports, has been continued. It was also found necessary to furnish additional protection to the transoms of the