Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-07-11

Editor Star. The proceedings In the courts OF
law and the complaints frequently made in the
press throughout the country, and more re-
Gently in reference TO Bloomingdale Asylum,
New York, seem 10 demonstrate the fact that
there is not as free intercourse between patients
In insane asylu and the outer world As there
should be.
No argument is necessary to prove that insane
asylums controlled by INSCRIPTIONS persons are
dangerous institutions, and therefore every well
intended effort to correct abuses therein should
be welcomed with delight by all concerned, and
by the public at large.
1t is very natural for the chiefs of these asy-
lums to believe that their articular institution
is a perfect model for all the rest to follow, and
that whatever abuses are practiced elsewhere
are not found TO exist within their walls. This
may may not be true. If errors are commit
ted they should be corrected at once, and If
there be no ground for complaint sdch explains
tions should be made as will silence the tongue
of scandal. Openness of action and freedom
from secresy consistent with their responsible
duties, should characterize the course Of all the
officers of these aSylums. As honorable men,
feeling the Importance of their position, they
VIII not refuse less, and more than this, the
public have no right to demand.
Physicians in chief must bear in mind that
they are not "Argus-eyed;" that they have to
depend upon their assistants in great measure
for the general care of their patients and all
pertaining to them, and 1t is just possible that
they sometimes become derelict of duty, and
the poor patients thereby become the innocent
pose, which ought not, we think, to meet with
objection.
All asylums for the insane have supervising
committees, permanent or appointed at stated
intervals, whose duty it is to report to some
thority higher than themselves full and de-
tailed account OF the condition of the asylum
they visit, and to make such sug gestiOns for i'm
provement as may seem 70 them proper.
Let these committees or boards of yisitorsh have
printed notice to the patients that a certain
day of each week every one who desires will be
provided with pappr. Mcneil and pOypl0Dp IN
address the committee or board upon any COM
plants they have to make in reference TO their
physicians, purses, attendants, food, clothing,
lodging, medicine and treatment generally;
and If they so believe, why they should be re-
strained of their personal liberty, &c, &c.
Have these ''notices" placed consplcuously in
each ward of the building, together with
| letter-bOx so arranged that it cannot be tam
pered with-the KEYS of which TO be held by the
committee only. On these days for comnuni-
cation with the committee, let them see to it
| by personal observation that no Surveillance
| whatever is exercised over the patients, and
| that they have full opportunity to write what
| in the " letter-bOxes."
And further, to announce publicly that if
there be any patients incapacitated from
writing, and who wish to address the commit
tee, that they can do SO through a short hand
| writer designated for the purpose.
AS may be expected, the wrecked minds of
| these poor creatures will, upon the provocation
of this novel opportunity, vent itself in a vare
ty OF ways, and produce an amount of verbiage
very discouraging to the committee who under
take the reading of the communications; but a
short experience, however, will enable them to
discriminate between the wheat and the chat,
and they thus may learn valuable facts, which
II is their bounden duty to become fully CONVEX
SAINT with, and If there be errors committed, no
| matter by whom, to apply a remedy at
once, immediate, decisive and efectual. II
nothing is wrong, so much the better, but if the
burthen of but one poor creature be in any
| measure hghtened by the information thus
| properly obtained, the effort is well worth the
| trial, and should be acceptable TO the ply
sician-in charge as Ii will be gratifying to the
com mittee and just to all.
We make these suggestions out of no disre-
| spect or want OF confidence of gentlemen in
| charge of any lunatic asylum in this country,
but solely for the real good Of the institutions
| they preside over, and for the welfare Of those
| so truthfully described by Churchill:
| With curious art the brain, too finely wrought,
| Preys on itself, and Is destroyed bv thought;
Constant attention wears the active mind,
Bots cut her powers, and leaves q blank behind. y
Or, perchance there are those who with equal
uuthfulness (none the less true because Of beng
| long suppressed may exclaim in the melancholy
| words of Shakespeare
+" am not msd;-I would TO heaven wereI
For then, tits like should forget myself;
| o, If could, what grief should forget"
| II there be valid objections to the course we
| have marked out, we would like to know them;
| if not, we respectfully ask all committees and
boards Of visitors Of lunatic asylums throughout
the country to give 1t a fair trial, without let or
| hindIance. SEMI-OOCAsIoNAL,
Washington, D. c., July o, 1873.