New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-10
HOW. TO DETECT INSANITY.
SOME HINTS FOR OUR LEGIsLATORs-A LECTUR
BY DIR. X. J.. PARSONS.

SOME HINTS FOR OUR LEGIsLATORs-A LECTURE
BY DIR. X. J.. PARSONS
The regular monthly meeting of the Medlco-
Legal Society OF NewYOrk held last evening at the
College OF Physicians and Surgeons, the Presdent Dr.
Stephen Rogers in the chair After the usual routine
business an essay on Required Legislation the Sub
feet of Insanity" was read by Dr. r. L. Parsons OF Black
Wells Island Within the past few years, said he the
methods OF committing patients 10 asyuns for the IN
sane have attracted considerable attention, and have
occasiOned little discussion in this country Inc peo-
nile who are naturally Jealous and sensitive the sub
ect of their personal liberty and rights have been rem
dercd perhaps uuduly sensitive IN regard 10 tne
confinement OF sane persons in lunatio asylums
through the influence of certain sensational novels
that have gained VIDE eusulLuVh SniowSSn n
have been discharged while yet incurred and also from
fact that persons sometimes actually are con
fined as lunatcs. Hence II Is not surprising thht men
have attempted 10 secure the enactment or laws IN
several OF the states TO the effect that no person sa De
confined lunatic without Jury tral-hdeed IN one
OF states such law has actually been passed WINE
the many annoyanees to Wnlch person j. M VINO
has been wrOngfully committed may pe lfgeu Ill layor
OF such enactment, there are stu very cogcnt
Jury trial s that il Is likely inure the patient The
insane often debiltated by physea di6ese tuat
dispatch aud avoidance OF all disturbing influences
are OF the utmost importance Inc HeiF ot siie,o
day may Cndgngcr the life or the patent btaIyaon'
too, j. often imminent through want OF knowledge on
the part of friends OF the Teal eohdi9 Oh we tem
through lack of tact or skill In administering the ne
cehsaTy food The mental excitement Is OFTEN such tat
the patient needs be kept In tho greatest possible
Quiotude secusion Tine publicity OF courtroom
bty and might, perhaps destroy the chances OF cure
The three chief objections first, that the method IL
ured directly by the delays and excitomens neparabe
from the method and third. that they are liable 70 be
medical treatment account OF the prejudice OF their
friends against the necessary publicity OF jury tral
The law of our own state provides substantially that
two respectable physicans are first TO examine the az,
legged iunatc. II satisfied that the is insane and
asylum and treatment they MAKE aJOlnt am
dayit to that effect before magistrate. Thereupon the
magistrate commits the patent 10 an asylum ID que egal
form retaining the adavts his vouchers. IheOret-
caly this method would seem 70 DE an tha co NC &c
which however believed admit OF easy remedy.
In considering the general subject II IL Interesting To
note tnat since tie year lo no less tHin 70 persons
Iunatic Asylum insane have been discharged
as ao prob bee hun dchar1cd from SmePcan Innate
asylums having been not insane mt tho time OF
entry, and many such o. cases occur annually. me
mistakes regarding these have been made through
lack OF a sufficient knowledge OF mental manifesto
lions in the sane aud in iho insane. -..
DIR. Parsons here reviewed the train or events that
usually when patient h sent To an Asy nm Dy
the affidavit Of two reputable physicians rs y
law ami concluded that IL WOuld no considered little
less than an Insult II a Medical superintendent OF an
Asylum should, after limited observation OF the
which the diagnosis founded, reverse
judgment that had been based on observations
and inquiries uI1de the most favorable circun-
stances Suggestions here made regarding the con-
OF the preliminary examination. The statement or
medical aidayits. This should be done, both as
Of record, aud aordng needed Information to
cular ease. As aids In carrying out this project blank
forms should bee furnished 10 the examining ply sicans.
One form should be provided for each physician, aud
they should he forwarded with the aidayits to the Asy-
lum Tie speaker then considered the question whether
these examinations should be mado by general prac-
TONERS as at present or ny those supposed 70 De espe
Ca cOnycrsant with the subject ana decided IN aYOr
Of the adyisabitY Of retaining the family physician %
best acquainted IN the idiosyncracics OF each case
Dr.. Parsons concluded by advising the reference OF
obscure either Lunacy Commission or 10 other
experts able and willing 60 undertake. the responsibility
making the investigation and the decision thereon