The New York herald., 1875-11-12
MADHOUSE METHODS.
STATE COMMISSIONER oRDnoNAUx's INvEsT1GA-
TIoN on THE FLATBUsH AsYLUM-TEsTIMoNY
OF THE MATRoN, STEWARD AND ASSISTANT

OF THE MATRoN, STEWARD AND ASSISTANT
PHYSICIAN
The ffth session OF the commission appointed to in
vestigate the alleged abuses in the FIatbush Lunatc
Asylum held yesterday afternoon in the rooms OF
the directors OF the Fremans Trust Insurance Com
pany, Brooklyn.
DANIEL RIILrNG.
The first witness called was Daniel Killing, who
affirmed that he patient In the
asylum; he there May 2S 1875, and
remained there until about three weeks ago;
was In hall No Il the attendants were Frank Lasselle
and Pat Killilahane; witness went out about three
times during his confinement; was excited in going
through the hall the first day and spilled cup Of
water; one Of the attendants then put him strait
jacket which tight he could scarcely breathe;
the next morning when ordered get up no refused TO
do so finally he did rise and stumbling he fell down;
while PROSTATE Pat kicked him, and Frank also beat
him. no went to bed then after receiving such beat
Ing he did not believe human being could stand;
after the beating they left him. the day one OF
the doctors asked how wtness' face was SO badly
bruised and Frank said ''Pat did +" Pat hung his
face and said nothing; witness did not complain except
to his wife for fear ne might get moro
punishment; after the jacket was taken or
the straps used during his stay in
the asylum, which lasted for three weeks;
witness not examined by any physician when he
entered the institution; he not searched but
handed a nurse; he had frequently attend
ants club patients with broomstick the legs
when they did not move quick enough; witness
was in asylum before this occasion; he had been
arrested by police officers who broke into his house
Sunday and took him on; he had had trouble
with people who lived next door to him, and they
wanted to have him removed for some or ether
witness is cork cutter by occupation and worked
until within couple Of days OF the time of his remova
he studying little scripture about that time and
he Is still pursuing that study
To Commissioner Cunningham-The doctor said to
Pat, when Frank said 1t was Pat who struck witness,
"You ought not to have done that" and Pat hung his
head in shame; saw nurse three times only strike pa
tients
PATRICK o'sULLIvAN
Patrick 0'Sulivan testified that he had been patient
three times in the asylum; the first time from July
to August 1874 the second time in March, 1875;
the last time for three months was in hall and
hall u there In the latter hall; al
ways worked voluntarily; helped the cook went In
and ont Of the building; many patient beaten;
the first time he went there. in 1874 OF the nurses
knowing he was OF hot temper, did everything TO
persecute him. Lasselle got him o and the other
nurse was angry with him and went to his folks in
Williamsburg where he told them everything; witness
q jacket put q patient by attendant, who
then struck the latter and gave him two doses med
cine this attendant is now In hall B his name is
Kane; witness knew that Kane telling everything
to his (witness) wife; knew II from his friends.
TESTIMONY MATRoN.
Mrs Mary Cunningham matron Of the asylum testi
fed that she had been there for three years
and half; never had any previous experience in a
lunatc asylum before was in the habit OF visiting the
wards and becoming acquainted with tho patients
every day; had right to appoint the assistants
ccpt tho cook chambermaid and aundress; had never
known the attendants on her side OF the house to
abuse patients. did know OF male attendants
save tho engineer and carpenter having keys to the
never that female patients should not sew so
much; he never complained OF that had had sewing
done there when she nrst went there, but
had been n'"'' customary D0 to give A''ons patients
private sewing to do, but witness had not done so;
never heard of female patients being nsuted witness
believed Patrick Corr to be very good man; did not
believe the report the contrary against him did not
know whether he In the employ OF the institution
now or mott there Is no night watchman for the female
wards; the attendants sit up In OF sickness and
attend the PATIENTS for safety sake it would be we'll
have a night watchnan for the female wardG Witness
remembered Dr. Ordronauxs investigation last year OF
the complaint OF the shortness OF provisons that had
not occurred since Catherine a.il Cole former at.
ago; the county kitchen is not under tho
supervision OF the matron; frequently sent food for
table urnturc-knives and forks and linen there is
much larger number OF patients there now than
the case when Dr. Macdonald superintendent; fire.
quenty speaks with the physicians about the Of
the patients; the first difficulty witness had with DR..
Macdonald was on account OF the laundress, Anna
Hecnly who left the laundry In state Of confusion
upon permission Of the DOCTOR witness said TO him 1t
very unfair Of him to let her 60 without asking her
permission; the doctor said that too, would have
30 ask his permission to 60 out: witness asked him
"Who arc you-from whom do you obtain your posi-
toni :" with that left his presence the doctor
had been rude and dscourteous TO her at the table;
this trouble occurred May OF last year, the attend
ants all seemed to know Of this difference but far
witness concerned she did not think II affected the
discipline; witness said she took visitors to
patients who were in con6nement; was not In the
habit Of calling patients by name; Mrs Leggett, the
old lady patient who SAID 10 have had her
hurt very noisy and ressts all effort 70 remove her
clothes.
Witness continued that she knew GIN Harley, ono OF
the male attendants; never tried to have him dis
charged; knew Of patient named Hardy. a brother
inaw OF DR.. Macdonald; never exhibited him TO
visitor relative OF the doctor's lady came there
day and while going round the halls she asked her
II the witness knew Mr. Hardy, she lived near his
house; witness told her there such person and
the visitor asked TO see him. a nurse showedher the
patient but witness did not accompany her; II not
true that she titness) could not distinguish that in
sanity is disease; sic did know IL to be disease
said, in regard to the previous examination OF
Dr. 0rdrouaux, that she did not wish her name TO ap
pear In public as 1t would endanger her place. never
had any difficulty with any OF the medical stan other
than Dr. Macdonald
rEsrImoSr OF THE STEWARD
James =. Scott steward OF the unatic asylum, test
ned that he had held that Office since January 1861
hts duties to receive and distribute supplies and
look after the repairs the engineers are separate and
distinct bureau but they all under the supervision
Of the Superintendent; the meat and supplies for tho
diet table generally camo mp to the standard required
therefor; does not issue spirits 70 any One the cook
is under tho stewards control the coffee given tho
patients is puro and does not contain rye or peas the
quantity used Is thirty-thrce pounds a day, ior
700 patients, including boarders; bean soup and
pork is issued Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday;
witness testified that he daily tour OF the build
ing; had not lately heard OF any complaint TO the
shortness Of supples would select any employee in tho
institution at present to take care OF his own brother
II il was necessary; never any patient abused
there; did not know attendant by the name OF
George Smith In the building; there Is a man named
Schmidt there; his habits are good as far witness
knows; Schmidt has been there three four months
Losselle the attendant who was discharged and re-
cmployed Is now in hall "B;n knew Patrick Carr had
not seen him lately; n he was employed at the Asylum
he would be likely 10 know Il; Dr. Blanchard makes
out tho pay rolls the objects OF PATIENTS the ovent OF
their death, are not given TO the care OF
witness; mover spoke as to the cause
Of the leaving OF Or. Macdonald witness
had always got along with the several superintendents
since his connection Witness desired correct tho
statement OF Miss Robinson In which she charged him
with showing visitors patients who not t TO be
seem had never shown visitors any patients such