given up, and whose convenience or preferences ought surely to stand aside for the pressing necessities of the former. This matter can be presented in no better way than by repeating the remarks thereon in the report of last year.

Nearly all who have need of such a hospital for themselves or their friends prefer to get admission here, for the one reason, if for no other, that it is nearer home and the dear ones can be visited with less trouble and expense, ordinarily, and when very sick and dangerously, oftener and more surely; and as it yearly becomes more widely known that the written request of a majority of the Board of Aldermen serves to suspend the operations of the joint order of the City Council, which requires that all applicants for hospital care shall be sent to Taunton, applications for the benefit of that influence are multiplying and the number of commitments to the Boston Hospital is increasing; and, in this way, it most frequently comes about that not the sickest and most necessitous obtain this favor; for, oppressed with the great burden of their unwonted trouble, and glad for help, no matter whence or for whom, if only it be help for their great helplessness, they look no step beyond; or, if they happen to know what might be, the process seems, in their eager haste, too long and too laborious, — and so the cosey room, now and then at our disposal, not often serves the one whose needs are greatest and means the least!

It has even happened that old and chronic cases, long domiciled in other hospitals and quite contented, have come here, in spite of our remonstrances, and, the majority request obtained before, their commitment to this hospital secured upon the plea of the necessity for frequent visiting, and the end secured, week after week has passed, without a call, or even an inquiry for their welfare.

Respectfully, but most earnestly and feelingly, the suggestion is presented and pressed for consideration, that the exercise of pure humanity will be better secured, if this matter be entrusted to the joint discretion of the Board of Directors and of the Judge of Probate.

Of necessity, the directors are constantly informed of the capacity, conditions, and needs of these wards. Through the machinery of their office, they can almost instantly ascertain if the necessities of any applicant can be supplied here. Communication between their office and the Probate Office is frequent and very easy, and thus they can deal equal charity and justice to all.

It has been often said that, when the new hospital at Danvers should open its doors for the reception of patients,

all the inmates would be transferred to that at Danvers, and that then the Boston Hospital would be abandoned.

There is an old statute that provides that, when the State Hospitals shall be crowded, the trustees may return to the counties, from which they came, such of their patients as shall be deemed by them to be incurable, and in such numbers as shall be thought necessary, to suitably relieve their crowded wards. By another provision of law, it is declared that all insane persons returned, in this manner, to Suffolk County, shall be provided for in the Boston Lunatic Hospital.

About the middle of last March twelve insane persons were returned to Suffolk County, under this law, by the trustees of the Hospital at Worcester. Six of them came here, and all must have done so, but for the fact that some of them were demented and quiet and harmless, and could be cared for comfortably in the Charlestown Almshouse.

When the hospital at Danvers shall be ready for the reception of inmates, there will be State patients enough to fill it, at once, without a single one from Boston. But if this should not be so, while the State Hospitals retain the power to return their surplus numbers to the counties from which they were received, how can Boston rid herself of the duty of maintaining her present provision for this class of her poor?

While this statute stands unrepealed, the city of Boston must provide for the proper support of an indefinite, but steadily increasing, number of her insane poor. And she cannot long neglect to furnish new and vastly better accommodations than those now in use, which successive City Councils have condemned as utterly unworthy of a great and wealthy Christian community.

Of those discharged during the year, fifteen were recovered, three were much improved, two were improved, five were not improved, and twenty died.

The number of recoveries is the same as that of last year, but is more satisfactory and more encouraging, because of the more crowded condition of our wards, and of a greater proportion of old and chronic cases admitted. The three discharged much improved are reported to be steadily gaining, and will, without doubt, fully recover.

The number of deaths islarger than that of last year. They are but eight per cent. of the whole number under treatment; with a single exception, they were all from chronic diseases, and, with that one exception, in none had there been any expectation of recovery from the mental disease.

Seven of the deaths were from consumption, three from general debility, three from epilepsy, and one each from

general paralysis, exhaustion of chronic mania, rheumatic gout, serous apoplexy, valvular disease of the heart, rupture of the heart, and internal strangulated hernia. Of these, two were 60 years of age, one was 66, one 67, one 71, one 73, one 74, one 85 and one 86. One had been an inmate of this hospital for 27 years, one 20, two 16, and two 11 years.

Again we are glad to record a year of entire exemption from homicide, suicide, accident, fire and epidemic of any

sort.

No change, but that which steady progress brings, has been made in the methods of medical and moral treatment.

All the holidays and joyous festivals have been faithfully observed, as in years gone by.

Christmas, with its loaded tree, the thoughtful gift of the Board of Directors; New Year's Eve, with its games and dances, its fun and frolic, till the old year dies and the new is born, and with the ample and elegant collation for two hundred persons, for many years, the annual, generous contribution of President Bradlee; the Lyceum and Bay State courses of lectures, fully and eagerly attended to the end; the water excursions, twelve in number, prolonged until very late in September; cards, games, dances, concerts, lectures, visits to theatres, concerts and pictures, all contribute to make the otherwise leaden hours of hospital life go by as if on wings of eagles.

Before another year shall close, the present management will have completed its twenty-five years of service; and then a few comparisons of the beginning and the close may prove both interesting and profitable; if for no other purpose, they may be serviceable as warnings.

To many friends, old and new, our thanks are gladly given for kindly deeds and gifts.

To Dr. Charles F. Folsom, of the State Board of Health, for a large package of magazines and illustrated papers; William T. Eustis, Esq., for a car-load of books from the library of the late Mr. H. W. Dutton, presented by the heirs; J. Putnam Bradlee, Esq., for magazines, and old, but choice and valuable books and pamphlets; Mrs. M. E. Bennett and friends, of Lexington, for Hogg's "Edinboro' Magazine," The "Overland Monthly," "Harper's Monthly," and "Gleason's Pictorial Drawing Room Companion; " David Nevins, Jr., for 200 numbers of "London Society," "Temple Bar," Atlantic and Harper's monthlies; Dr. Francis H. Brown, for a large box of the London "Graphic; " Mr. John Cumings, for a large package of magazines; Miss Aunie

Cumings, for a long evening's entertainment on the piano; Mr. J. T. Gardner, chorister of the church of the Messiah, for a delightful entertainment, by the aid of the full choir, of Christmas carols in the open air, and a concert in the upper hall; the Little Beavers, for songs, tableaux, and the fairy spectral of Cinderella; South Boston Juvenal Dramatic Club, for an amateur entertainment of great excellence; Mrs. J. W. Andrews, for the chance of a large party enjoying the "Elixir of Youth," presented in the vestry of Rev. E. E. Hale's church, at the same time having the first and only sleigh-ride of the season; Miss Lizzie Rowe and friends, from Somerville, for a most delightful parlor concert; Mr. H. C. Barnabee and company, for one of his inimitable entertainments, preferred by "our folks" to anything we can offer them; and to Barnum's Hippodrome, Murray's Railroad Circus, Howe's and Cushing's Circus, for unlimited admission to their entertainments.

The attendants and employés, engaged in the several departments of the institution, are deserving honorable mention for their general devotion to duty. While all have done well, many have entitled themselves to the gratitude of those helpless beings whom they have in charge, as well as of all who are interested in such charities!

Dr. George H. M. Rowe, First Assistant, and Rev. Joseph H. Clinch, Chaplain, by another year of simple devotion to duty, have deserved the love and gratitude of this household, and the approval and trust of the Board of Directors.

Dr. John T. Carter, Second Assistant, needs no other testimonial to his marked ability and strict fidelity, than the fact that the Board of Directors has doubled his salary that they might retain him here.

The close of this year is saddened to us all, by the recent sudden death of Director Cumings, who was a personal friend to every one beneath this roof; and, still more, by the retirement, after fifteen years of earnest and unselfish discharge of duty, of President Bradlee. Both will be mourned here, sincerely and long.

Many weary weeks and months will pass, before many a sorrowing heart in this afflicted household can become reconciled to their loss.

In conclusion, I beg leave to tender to the Board of Directors, to the Monthly and Advisory Committees, and again, as heretofore, to President Bradlee, the most cordial and grateful thanks for their unwavering interest in everything that affects the prosperity and success of this institution.

To the intelligent and persevering efforts of Mr. Bradlee, we are indebted for the remarkable and creditable improvements effected here during the past twelve years, changes that have brought comfort and healthful enjoyment to this afflicted household, and credit and honor, at home and abroad, to the good name of Boston.

The twenty-fifth year of the present management will close before the next annual report shall be made. The record of the changes, during a quarter of a century, will then be curious and instructive.

In the mean time, gentlemen of the Board, for personal confidence and support, I tender sincerest thanks.

Respectfully submitted,

CLEMENT A. WALKER.

BOSTON LUNATIC HOSPITAL, May 1, 1876.