The following is the description of duties of the watchman and watchwomen employed by the Oregon State Hospital as spelled out in the Rules and Regulations for the Government of the Oregon State Insane Asylum, Revised April 15, 1908.
WATCHMAN
1. The duties of the watchman will commence at 8 o’clock P.M., at which time he will visit the office to receive instructions for the night.
2. He must, while on duty, be faithful and vigilant; visit every part of the male wards at least every hour during the night, making as little noise as possible, never conversing in a loud tone, and opening and shutting the doors as quietly as possible.
3. He must be kind, gentle, and soothing in his manners to the patients, and use every means in his power to tranquilize those who are excited, and to allay the fears and apprehensions of the timid; he will pay particular attention to the sick, the suicidal, and those recently admitted; will see that the patients are properly supplied with water when it is asked for, and will attend to all other reasonable wants; will notice any unusual noise in the patients’ rooms, endeavor to ascertain the cause, and, if necessary, report the same to the attendant. He will notice anything unusual occurring during the night, and enter the same on a a slate or book provided for the purpose
4. It will be the duty of the watchman to look after the heating apparatus during the night; he must be very watchful about fire, and, in case of its occurrence must immediately give general alarm; he shall ring the bell at the hour for rising in the morning, and he shall perform such other duties as may be required of him.
WATCHWOMAN
1. The watchwoman shall have charge of the interior of the female department during the night. In the management of the patients, and in the discharge of other duties, she must be governed by the rules and regulations laid down for the government of the watchman.
