tenance were neglected. The hospital was able to survive only because it
was able to produce its own meat, vegetables and dairy products. Repairs
and improvements were made following the war, but Eastern Shore
Hospital, like all hospitals and institutions, suffered during the de-
pression years. Even with the completion of the Administration Build-
ing in 1928, overcrowding at the hospital continued. Upon the retirement
of Dr. Carey, Dr. Kenneth Jones became Superintendent. The Carey and
Nice buildings were completed in the late 1930's, relieving to a consid-
erable extent the overcrowding.
In 1937, the first social worker and the first occupational therapist were
hired. Dr. Tuerk, our present Commissioner of Mental Hygiene, was one
of two new young psychiatrists. The first two registered nurses were
added in 1939. During World War II, the Eastern Shore Hospital, like
many others of our institutions, struggled with inadequate staff and
resources. After the war, it began to rebuild staff and plant and adopt
treatment practices current at the time. In 1954 the first rehabilitation
building in a State hospital in Maryland was opened here.
I am well aware that the historical facts which I have related here are
well known to most of you here this morning. I review them primarily
because they show the evolution in the treatment and care of the men-
tally ill over the past half century. In other words, the development of
the Eastern Shore Hospital reflects the changes that have been made in
treatment and care as a result of the development of psychiatric knowl-
edge and techniques. It started as a capital investment of $200, 000
with an annual operating budget of approximately $64, 000. About 230
patients were treated the first year. Today the hospital represents a
capital investment of roughly $5, 280, 000, not including the Commu-
nity Center Building which is in the planning stage. In the budget for the
fiscal year which begins next July 1, I recommended, and the General
Assembly approved, an appropriation for operations amounting to some
$2, 490, 000 for this hospital.
The Eastern Shore Hospital also reflects the growth and the progress of
our overall program of Mental Hygiene in Maryland. The Board of Men-
tal Hygiene was replaced in June, 1949, by the Department of Mental
Hygiene, with a Commissioner who was given "full and plenary powers, "
with an advisory board and a board of review. These two boards were
replaced in July, 1961, by the Board of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Under the direction of this Board, and with the forceful leadership of Dr.
Tuerk, the Department has moved steadily ahead in its care and treat-
ment of the mentally ill and the mentally retarded and in finding new
ways to serve the community.
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