Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-12-22
Suggestions in Regard to InnrmarIes.


EDITOR CHRONICLE.-In response to
your call of the sth inst, L submit the
following, as Improvements in the man
agement of our Infrmary, which, it is
believed, the wants of its inmates re-
quire, and which are within the means
of a wise economy.
First. Separate the insane, idiotic ard
vicious, from the others. 1t is only adj
ding misery TO misfortune to compel
one whom sickness, accident, pecuniary
reverses, Or natural inaptitude for ma
king money, has rendered an object of
charity, but who is nevertheless intelli-
gent and moral, to have for his constant
companions, those whose rawlings, repul-
~siveness and ugliness are turned from
in disgust. Passing through central
Michigan, in August, 1 noticed several
large and commodious buildings, which
I learned, were county and district In
sane Asylums. Ohio cannot afford to
LET her younger sister out-strip her in
the race of practical humanity.
Second. Provide male and female
nurses, 81 as to secure daily cleansing of
persons, apparel and rooms of the in
mates, and especially TO care for the sick.
Cleanliness is next to godliness.'
The whole appearance of the Institution
should impress every visitor with the
idea of its tidiness and comfort, and thus
prevent the feeling of shame for our
common humanity, which is now so
often excited. The sick of such a place
often need extra care, that only compe-
tent nurses can give. The Superintend-
ent cannot give them personal care. A
farm OF $40 acres is all a Trumbun
ty farmer can attend TO well. His wife
will do her share if she looks carefully
to her household of from s to 70, that
will be required in working the farm.
Certainly this, with the many more or
less public duties d~evolving on them,
are all they can accomplish. It is sim
ply slow murder 10 add to such a r the
looking after seventy or a hundred peo-
pie, Of the kind that fill our Inirmary.
The care they can render one another, is
too careless and unreliable, to answer
the needs Of the sick and infirm. Good
nursing would both secure the full ben
Gifts the Inhrmary ought to afford, and,
by its saving of food and clothing, near
" or wholly pay for itself.
Third. Supply common medicines, to
be administered by the attendants in
cases Of emergency and slight sickness.
This would ave unnecessary visits by
the physicians, and obviate complaint
by those whose inirmities make them
nervous and exacting. IN this respect
our charity should be tender and patient.
Fourth. Pay the physician in charge
literally, and require the best skill and
care in all cases of serious sickness and
II this be feSthering ones own
nest-why, drive the goose of-only see
that a worse gander does not go on!
County Infirmaries might be made to
contribute to the medical improvements
Of the age, and thus indirectly repay
heir expense, instead of their barely
receiving the most common and conve-
lient routine treatment. One or two
matters are worth a separate notice
If the above shall meet the
approval of the public, I've no doubt the
commissioners Will promptly provide
he means and the Trustees will gladly
Use them in bringing the Infirmary up
o the highestrequirements of humanity.
When a few log houses scattered along !
he banks of the run, afforded ample
Dom, and the Superintendent and his
wife could give considerable personal at
ention to the inmates, there was a de-
yree Of neatness and comfort, which the
constructed and over crowded
I'D brick, has hardly equaled for some
-ears past. The Improvements lately
inished, will render it easy to accom-
dish much that is suggested. Let it be
lone. In particular. let wealthy men
zee how their money is spent. Let
hem look inside their Infirmary, and
ZEE that it is made such as they would be
with, if some misfortune should
place themselves or their children with
IA it. Trumbun County Inirmary has
leld year after year, many a INT who
las seen infinitely better days Among
he incurably insane there will ever be
many of this class. 1t is not alone the
London OF the Southern poor, who call
or a Peabody. May such an one soon
De born of the increasing riches and en-
arging charity of our people.
JULIAN HARMON.