The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-11-06
TREATMENT OF THE INSANE,
THE r1ArBUsH ASYLUM 1SvEsr1oAr1oS-AI

THE FLATBUsH ASYLUM ISvEsTIoATIoN-AI-
LEGED cRUELTIEs TO DEMENTED PATIENTS.
The investigation Of the alleged abuses in the Kings
County Lunatic Asylum resumed yesterday Or.
Ordronsux, state Commissioner in Lunacy, conducted
the examination. He stated that witness bad that
morning told him that he afraid TO testify lest he
should be discharged Counsel for the Commissioners
denied that any such influence excrted over their
employees DR., ordronaux said that there were no
charges Of n civil criminal against the Com
missioners Of Charity.
Commissioner Norris complained that the press had
circulated damaging and unfoundcd statements
corning the Board
Miss Jenny Robinson, OF Fatbush testified that the
sleeping accommodations at the Asylum were insult
hclent the patients poorly supplied with under
clothing, and was sometimes given to them from the
wash almost wrnging wet had the patients run
ming up and down the wards to keep themselves warm;
had NOTICED man in hail whose face was terribly
bruised the said that the man had fallen across
table; heard subsequently that such the case
the nurses were incommunicativc the food was very
unevcnly distributed; never saw brushes or combs
there the demeanor OF the attendants always
polite; the steward Of the asylum, Mr.. Scott
occasion walked out before them and slammed the
door in their faces; Dr. Norris President OF the Charity
Board, once said TO the Committee,
''IADIEs, 1T is NONE or roUR BUSINESS"
this remark was in reply a memorial calling for the
discharge OF one Of the employees; witness said she
spoke from notes which she had copied from her books
witness SAID the majority of the appear be
ignorant and merccnary persons; OF the male
did not know the meaning or tho word Their
mometcr; they harsh and unieeng in the treat
OF the patients; Dr. Norris gave the impression
that he insulting at the time he made the remark
to which she had testified.
Miss Dora Robinson, sister OF the last witness re-
called, testified that February she complained to
Commissioner Midas of employees who had stolen
from the asylum; she asked him to discharge tie men,
and he refused do so until they Investigated the
case; she said him that the had stolen and they
must be discharged or she would write card 10 the
newspapers; he said my God! you would not dare 10
do that witness said to Dir. Midas on the 10th OF
February that she would take that action, she
not
CONNECTED WITH THE RING,
unless by the nth OF February they should discharge
those "A letter from MISS Robinson 10 the Board
OF Charities thanking them for their action of the 18th
OF February, when the dishonest employees DIS
charged here read BY the chairman the request
OF Counsellor Troy
Or, James A. Blanchard, Superintendent OF the Kings
County Lunatic Asylum being sworn, testified that he
took possession OF hts office August 10, 1875 he
leved Dr. Mcdonald; made inspection Of the
ton; there are bylaws for the government of the
asylum; witness had made special regulations for the
management OF the asylum; never in charge
OF any asylum before the : present one;
Dr. Cory was appointed supervising physician
with Witness Or. Cory visited there two and three
times week; he visited all the wards; there is no
very careful classification Of patients owing the
crowded condition Of the place. there pay patients
in all the wards they put there regard their
mental condition; they better fed than the paupcr
patients they fed in the room; they get
beef and rice pudding went through all the wards
three or four times week asked the patients 10
their wants and habits and listened TO their
plants Or. Cory resigned supervising physician
and accepted the honorary Office of consulting ply
scian; did not regard the appointment of DR. Cory
advisory physician an inucndo witness eflic-
icncy; gave cod liver oil quite freely among the
patients; there Eve six of scurvy
there when witness took charge; the pres
ent diet is varied enough though there
is plenty OF IT. have TO believe that there
any leakage in the stewards department; is dis
irbuted not BY weight but by the eye the cook has
paid assistant and the rest are unatcs hearu OF
no cruel brutal treatment of patients, in the
Magec case; doubt the truth Of Magees story is
only sustained by the testimony OF his wife; the
Magee affair had told attendants restraint should
be applied without the order OF physician there
times patients
ENTIRELY NUDE,
because they won't keep their clothes on-not from
lack cothng the clothing is all made by lunatics;
they have rely their labor Tor their sewing there
is statute prohibiting the employment OF pauper
labor; Dr. Atwood visits the wards twice day
the Magee investigations knew of Mrs Cunning
ham giving sewing 10 the patents they not
PEELED sew; they invited 10 patients go
for exercise whenever the weather will permit;
there have been cases OF elopemcnt OF patients
The committee then adjourned TIL Tuesday next, No
vember O.