New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-24
THE RIGHTS OF THE INSANE.

TREATMENT WITH VIEW TO RESTORATION.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE AMENDMENT OF LAWS RE-
srEc1ING THE INSANE IN MISUNDERSTANDING
uAL CONSIDERATION or CASRs AND SPECIAL
MEDICAL TREATMENT REoUIRED-A PAPER BY
DIR. JULIUS PARIGOT READ BEFORE TIKI NEW
YORK MEDICo-LEGAL SOCIETY
No one denies at the present time that many
vital questions of justice legislation. social economy
and 6uanoe are involved IN the treatment OF lunacy.
STILL many persons not aware OF the moral obga-
ton devolvng upon citizen TO guard the operation
OF the under which the secuson of persons who are
insane aud OF those who supposed to be so takes
place in order to avoid any possible false accusation
about the legality OF also TO see how the
provisions for their are prepared by boards OF
trustees governors and finally, 20 vindicate the
rights of those who cannot defend themselves. The
present paper has for its object the consideration of
these two necessities What to be positively over
looked the Importance and value of medical treat
ment as well here in the whole OF America as in En-
gland aud elsewhere. Now may read In The journal
Of Mental Science the following remarks, showing what
is going on in England:
Thee reports ue books that She whole there !. an i'm
Of !aouRh and care aud 81 n exercised IN ,he ea@st
Of the insane b. al who have to % win them esr b year e or
s,dy to ness n al sG. on G sn h; P1 tS S SS the
Of the deaes ehh comprised under the term
o:,. ss' s , saP s 5s lS sss T With aos s
Everything that the treatment OF those seon8g
sns. Tail Of skertDhe Of the commissioners
s1.o 1'f fof they ' ds5 Guy icr
vii be better in le long run r The medical Of insanity but
ishar 70 see II ITS Drc ess Is 70 eUoSaise s t Of loLS.
SoS. ana t6sispeStics ba, daiG before them.
Now the editor DE- Maudsiey, does not pretend that
no scientific progress attempted made in public or
private asylums. 1t is admitted that IN America we
possess many asylums la which mon OF great merit
follow and open new roads scientific progress. Many
in ab a.
are made. and we may congratulate ourselves with the
medical profession the spirit which anmates these
scientific pioneers. But il consider only the lnl-
vidual interest OF each patient who is immured In an
asylum where a positive medical treatment Is lnpos-
slbie and it, with Dr. Maudsley, up the results
of nOnherapeutcal practice drought on by the med
ical skeptcism OF administrative boards), then may
see need OF amendment Of our laws on this sub
ject Evidently there IA confusion In the given powers
and qualifications to the people in this matter No
bylaws should exist in opposition to State laws and n
that we're So medical responsibility would have fair
play 90 show what it might do when supplied with
everything for its scope aud our beneht-the
recovery of the patients.
THE CURE OF THE INSANE SHOULD DE THE SOLE OBJECT.
Such reform OF the law. II not mistaken, is the
resra Ggia Of such association of lawyers and physi
clans as this one efforts would bring at last
an immense benef-namely. that insane patients must
be cured and considered pria fdce as beings to
be put custody for their lifetime Certainly such neces-
sity overshadows all secondary questions of house
keeping details and comfort though important they
In general economy, principles must be adopted which
nfaOly must lead TO practical results as In CONNER
cia affairs or in industry Is it not established that
sufficient capital must be embarked TO obtain profitable
productsf 1t is the in our case an adequate well
paid stsf of physicians would take Of patients,
employ all their skill aud ingenuity to empty those
immense reservoirs Of human mseres, and free us of
that constantly increasing number Of insane, and OF the
enormOua exDense W g obliged to bear.
Far from such rational and practical method what
do we seo almost in every country Honorable boards
meaning well in their own and the generally adopted
views Entrusted with legal and administrative powers
TO do with the insane what they think best without
control Now the most moderate and respectful criti-
csm has shown the necacy of the these boards
put in the hands Of their physicians; nay, sometimes
think they must diminish the number of med
zeal officers lower their dignity not give them
any remuneration 1t may easily be understood that in
such general circumstances physicians must Edo their
beat TO please the views of those in whose de
pendence they placed; eventually they will even
defend that system, and neglect their medical duties as
The Journal Of Mental Science has shown TO be the
We in this country something higher and more in
dependent We want a law which everybody must
obey aud by which medical profession shall become
responsible for its acts. Unfortunately have legal
mechanism unit to serve the interest Of the people
the latest law and the recent act concerning the
State Board OF Charities and the Commissioner Lu
macy full of errors contradictions and embaITass
mcnts that prevent the aim being reached.
II our ssylums made for the aud not for the
perpetual custody OF patients. why should law not say
sol Why should administrative functions surpass the
legal and medical ones
FACILITIES NEEDED Ely PHYSICIANS IN AsYLUMs.
A responsible head physician, having for principal
object science the medical treatment ought to have
a sufficient and competent staff around nina staff
furnished with the necessary instruments, material and
moral. to the patients. Anatomical and chemical
and lecturer0oms should be well furnished
We should have less of balls billiards, aud magician
tern exhibitions necessary to cut the monoonY asy
linn life This chief ply stefan ought also be1ntrusted
with of admitting rejecting afdavts
corning the mental state OF so-caIled insane person
and be may, the law ought to command it to dis
charge patient when cured or sufficiently cOmp0s men
Gs 10 have trial to resume his position in society No
intervention either administrative or judiciary appears
here necessary The responsible physician must be the
conscientious expert and judge of such and pos
sess the power fulfill his mission II too absolute
power could be feared. let then the superintendent
have such Jurisdiction only when Tin council with his
medical assistants his consulting physicians. Such
measure might also curb too free use OF adj
minsrative authority the part OF head physicians
When we consider important relation OF the sub
fscts under consideration wonder that supcrn
tsndents ylums not made (de Jure members OF
the Board OF Health Of their county They would con-
plee that Board whose functions embrace well the
conditions of mental bodily welfare. The Hon. Dor
man g. Eaton explained lately at the NewYork Cenven-
ton OF the American Public Health Association. why
board OF health determines Its own sphere OF actlon'
makes the bills by which its own acton rs iegazsa'
Issues SUMMONS sits judgment and fuses It's own ON
carry It's decisions into effect Evidently the
sanction Of such must be the immediate Dement,
II we inquire into the laws and customs relating the
insane IN past and present times IL Is very curious 70
Ind hat IN ATda Al m HVAnI