Complete Annual Report of the Illinois Department
of Public Welfare
Manteno State Hospital
July 1, 1960 - June 30, 1961
Dr. Richard J. Graff, Superintendent
With a resident population of 7,087 on June 30, 1961,
Manteno State Hospital remains the largest hospital
in Illinois for the care and treatment of the mentally
ill. Patient population was the care and treatment of
the mentally ill. Patient population was reduced 228
from June 30, 1960, and the average daily population
for the fiscal year showed about the same reduced, 208.
Admissions increased slightly, but less than in the
preceding year. Admissions increased slightly, but less
than in the proceeding year. Admission of patients in
the older age group continued high, and many were infirm
or semi-infirm.
The medical staff consisted of 33 full-time physicians
as of June 30, 1961. The position of clinical director
remains unfilled. Some training is being provided by
consultants from the Illinois State Psychiatric Institute.
As fully rounded a care and treatment program as possible
was provided by staff and facilities. Use of tranquilizing
drugs was increased; however, the traditional electroshock
and insulin coma therapies were continued and hydrotherapy
to a limited extent. Indicated acute medical and surgical
procedures were provided. Tuberculosis case finding
surveys and treatment took care of the needs of more
than 500 patients with chest diseases.
The general health of the patients remained good. There
were no epidemics of contagious diseases and the public
health service continued to provide all the standard
immunizations for patients and employees. Three full-time
dentists cared for the dental needs of patients.
This hospital receives a large number of alcoholic
patients - on an average day, 250 are in residence.
The Division of Alcoholism provides a mental health
educator to counsel the patients following medical treatment,
and frequent meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous supplement
services of the Division.
A psychiatric consultant is doing research with a group
of schizophrenic patients.
The clinical and bacteriological laboratories made
the standard tests and examinations. Semiannual chest
x-ray service, which also supplied all other needed
x-rays to medical staff. One electroencephalographic
technician made tracings on selected cases.
The psychology service provided individual and group
psychotherapy, so far as staff time permitted, in addition
to diagnostic evaluations and psychological testing.
It maintained its own inservice training program with
the assistance of a consulting psychologist, and took
advantage of the Department's employment-education program
for advanced training. In addition, psychologists helped
in other staff training programs and in community mental
health education. Staff members conducted many groups
of students and other interested persons on informational
tours of the hospital. Results of a research study "Effect
of Ditran on the Variability of Motor Performance in
Schizophrenics" was presented by a supervising psychologist
at the Illinois Psychological Association meeting in
Springfield.
In addition to its intramural services to patients,
the social service staff provided services to an increased
number of patients on conditional discharge (551 on
June 30 as compared to 511 a year before) and those
on family care (142 as compared to 121 a year earlier).
The letter program has shown an upward trend for several
years. To improve the present staff,, an in-service
training program was conducted.
Total nursing service personnel decreased from 807
as of June 30, 1960 to 782 at the end of fiscal 1961;
graduate nurses dropped from 38 to 35. More aides completed
in-service training courses - 309 as compared to 210
in fiscal year 1960. Thirty-three completed the aide
I course; 177, aide II; and 99, aide III. Plans are
to move the training classes from their basement quarters
to an employee's residence which will be vacated for
that purpose.
Cottage 22, formerly a staff cottage, was remodeled
to provide offices and conference rooms for nursing
staff. An added convenience was a drive-in bulletin
board illuminated at night on which staff members can
find their assignments without leaving their cars.
The activity therapies staff of 49 (June 30) provided
a wide variety of occupational and recreation activities.
A patient planning committee assisted in the planning
and execution of programs. The three-day Fourth of July
carnival featured Chris, the Brazilian monkey. The patients'
Christmas pageant was based on a United Nations theme,
Yuletide as it is observed in other lands. The Easter
pageant and cantata "Behold the King" depicted scenes
in Christ's life with beauty and reverence. Patients
from Kankakee State Hospital were guests. From time
to time there were other hospital-wide programs in addition
to innumerable ward parties and special interest group
meetings. In August, the Cisco Kid appeared with his
famous horse and dog and gifts of some thousands of
autographed photographs. The Hallowe'en dance utilized
the patients' orchestra.
Patients attended many programs outside the hospital,
including the Kankakee Community Concert series. A group
visited the Chicago Art Institute and a bus load was
taken to the county fair.
Efforts were made by the staff to fit occupational
and recreation programs to the patients' special interests
and needs. A hobby night was one step in this direction.
Rehabilitation service included counseling and vocational
training.
The activity therapies staff participates in the department's
training school conducted at this hospital and also
maintains its own year-round in-service training program.
Field training was provided by the staff for students
from the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois
University.
Volunteers from a wide area provided a continuous program
of plus services for patients. As of June 20, 134 individual
volunteers were providing weekly services, 20 groups
were participating on a monthly basis and 10 groups
occasionally. Hours of service for the fiscal year totaled
17,818. In addition, veterans groups and their auxiliaries
continued their services to veteran patients throughout
the year.
Religious services were provided by full-time Protestant
and Catholic chaplains and by part-time representatives
of other faiths.
Relations between the hospital and the surrounding
communities have been friendly and mutually helpful.
Open House drew many visitors who were conducted on
tours of the various hospital facilities, patients serving
as hosts and hostesses. Volunteers provided baby sitters.
The fire protection and security staffs provided 24-hour
service to insure safety of patients. A fire in the
coat room of Barton Cottage caused $1,000 damage to
the building and $2,000 to patients' clothing. The 30
patients were evacuated by nursing personnel without
injury or panic.
Preparations are being made for a clothing center,
to be completed during the coming year, where patients
will have a better opportunity to select their clothes.
For several years, volunteers have conducted programs-semiannual
Hat and Purse Bars and fashion shows-to make patients
more conscious of and attentive to their personal appearance
as well as to provide those without adequate wardrobes
with attractive articles of clothing. This service is
an important contribution to their well-being and rehabilitation.
Much new furniture-chairs, tables and beds-was placed
on patient wards, dining rooms, and day rooms. Soil-resistant
mattresses were supplied to many wards. Forty-eight
unit heater and 78 fluorescent light fixtures were installed
on ward locations and new aluminum screens on four cottages.
The patients' Amusement Hall received new stage curtains
and chairs.
Other locations received new equipment: dietary service,
five dishwashers and 20 rotary toasters; the laundry,
a 60-inch unloading extractor and a shirt press; the
acute hospital, several items including two autoclaves;
and the power plant, a new steam analyzer for the three
turbines.
A violent windstorm did much damage to roofs. Repairs
of all flat deck roofs have been completed and many
repairs have been made on roofs.
