Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-04
The Insane Asylum Investigation.
iE TESTIMONY To-DA


THE TESTIMONY TO-DAY.
The Committee on Expenditures of the
Interior Departna eut resumed their investI-
CATION of the affairs OF the L. s. Insane asy-
lum this morE ing.
DR.. Francis NJ GUE8el testified that he had
charge OF the naval hospital, one of the
lodges of the Insane asyium during 1854
and 1865. The diet was furnished by the In
sane asy lum, and was very gooi. DR.. Mich
OILS was good kind man. Frequently saw
were always removed after the patients
wearing them were admitted 10 the asylum.
DR.. Nichols reputation was good. Never
saw anything IN the asylum that could be
improved upon.
Dr. Bean testified that he resided In Prince
GtorgeS coUpty. Maryland. Knew the at
PENDANT AIMED Sweeny, who testified before
THIS committee. He was formerly a teacher
III county school. Recommended him TO
DIR. Nichols. Heard that he WAS dismissed
Tor lutoSication. Dad not think that Swes-
ny was competent witness. The asylum
farm Is well managed. Always considered
1t was kept on the most excellent plau.
Witness is at present the attending u. y
surgeon at Fort Fo1te, Maryland.
By Mr.. Mutchler:-Never heard the char
acter OF Sweeny for truth discussed. Heard
mat he was incorporate. Did hot tell DR..
Nichols that Sweeuy had been Il drinking
man.
Mrs.. Clements testified that she has been
employed at the insane asylum for year.
Before going there had been employed in
other asylums. Is now the supervisor OF the
female department. There are 10 wards on
the female side. Her duties are To look out
for the housekeeping, comforts Of the sick.
genera cleanliness, and the comforts OF pa
tients and attendants. Saw one attendant
strife a patient, and she was Immediately
dismissed. Don't know OF attendants neglect
ing their duty. Look after the sick patients
In the infirmary. Have never noticed any
neglect on the part OF the physicians.
Miss Mary ROicy testified that she is now
and has been for four years an attendant
and female night Waterman at the insane
asylum. Is row an attendant on the worst
class of female white patients. Have two
assistants. Knew OF an attendant striking
patient; dismissal followed. The food was
COED; patients get enough. Tainted meat
came up once, but was returned. Keep pa
nents Clothed as well as they can be, as they
are very destructive of clothing.
MISS Ella McGur testified she was en-
plOyed at the asylum as an attendant in
Chestnut ward, where the best class OF pa
tients are kept. The food is good, aud there
is plenty of II; the wards are kept very
clean. Know OF but one case of abuse OF pa
tientS by an attendant; dismissal followed
The ply sicians see the patients in Chestnut
ward twice day. See DIR. Nichols every
day. Besides this The physicians are liable
10 come In the wards at any time. Itwould
rot be possible for the patients To be whipped
and lashed without the doctors knowing or
Ii or finding il ont.
THE same question was asked Of Mrs.
Clements, and was answered in a similar
manner. Mrs. Taylor, who was sitting in
the committee room, mere remarked: Yes
they do whip them. and you know It'll
Ch",icS P5jlm testified that he had oee1 an
attendant in Poplar ward ana Dawes base
ment for over year. Poplar ward is for
the mild sort OF patients. Patients get goOt
lGoa and enough OF IL. Poplar ward is for
civilians who get their clothing from Their
homes; they are always we'll dressed De
MQiTeA comes through morning and even
ing.
CoreiileS Bennett. An attendant, testified
that there was 10 distinction between the
treatment Of white and cOlOred patients; all
were treated alke and kindly.
Rtch0id BeGRCtI testified thai he AS been
Inside night watchlnan at the asylum for
four years. His duty was To look out Tor pa
lientS, give patients their med cine, &c:
made the round once in every hour; heard
Of two attendants being discharged for fore
Ing patients into a cold bath n cold weather.
part OF his duty was 10 keep the clothing
or patients.
AiichGel F5p'Cn testified he had bean en-
ploy ed al the asy lum for H. years, OF aud on,
as q stOnemasOn, was the boss mason. Pa
tientS were not req ulred TO l2V stones IN the
water on the river wall. Never saw auy
abuse at the asylum during the whole time
be was there.
CbcllsS BU,idRsoa tes fled that he was a
carpenter at the asylum, and as such worked
In every room aud ward in the building.
Never saw anything there wrong, except in
one case, where patient was pushed out OF
a room by an attendant, who was dismissed
by DIR. n chols The general treatment OF
the patients is very good. DIR. Nichols Is a
careful, prOvident man, who ordered him TO
buy the lumber he needs wherever he can
get il 1.-The cheapest and the best" Do not
suppose the barn could be built for less than
IS 600, notwithstanding Mr.. Swan testified
that tconld be built for 81 900. II was built
to last.
The committee adjourned till to morrow.