Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-04-04
The Insane IsyIum Investigation.

The Committee oil the Expenditures Of the
Interior Department resumed the investtga-
ton OF affairs in the L. s. insane asylum
his morning.
ANoTHBR EN-ATTENDANI'S STORY.
James ". BOSjCeU testified that he was en-
plOyed In the asylum for several months as
an attendant; that several OF the wards there
were filthy; there were not two men In the
ward who were not filled with vernin; often
saw patients fnhumanly treated. The re-
mainder of the evidence OF this witness was
mainly CorrOborative OF that Of those who
were examined yesterday.
AN EN-JNEBRIATE CONFEDERATE SOLDIER
ON THE STAND.
Geo. e. T6ulnldn testified 10 patients being
,rueily treated there, and very improperly
fed and clothed. Witness paid his board
while he was there. He was in the inebriate
department. The eating was worse than he
got In The southern army. The coffee, or what
WAS called coffee, was hOrri BILE. SpOiie meat
was often sent up to the patients; most of
The meat furnished was necks. Few of the
patients got enough 10 eat, such as IL was.
Witness was sub clerk, and did a great
deal of the writing for the hospital. When
pat eots refused to eat what was given them,
lot OF tallOw was pumped down their
thToats by force Saw patients forced into
'od baths and chilled severely, and then
required to dress in the cold. Witness related
oLe case where patient died a day after this
Treatment. After the appropriation for the
hospital passed Cos greSS, large discharge
always followed,
ASHOwER BATH AND DEATH.
The witnCss then related a case where
patient named James Lowry refused 10 "a
because he said he could not eat the food.
He was subjected TO q COD shower bath anu
died three days afterwards, and was then put
on the report as discharged.
ONE WITNESS WHO HAS NOT BEEN DIS
MISSED FROM THE INSTITUTION FOR
CAUSE.
Dr. VIA. H. Nu7eu testified that ha hal
been the assistant surgeon at the asylum for
four years, and was there now. The treat
meIt and food were good; the workingmen
were Civ e meat every morning, with one or
two vegetables, bread and coffee. Boile3 and
roast meat, vegetables and bread for dinner;
bread and tea aid ginger bread for supper.
When patients were unruly they were put in
their rooms, force being used only when it
was necessary. No case of violence has ever
taken place when IL did not result in the in
slant discharge of the attendant using vio-
lence. Visited all the patients twice day,
morning and evening; often several times q
Gay. The wards were cieanly and neat;
never knew OF any spoiled meat To be used
in the hospital; when an occasional piece OF
tainted meat is found II is rejected. DR..
Nichols visits the wards about once week;
sometimes Lot SO often. Patients are prop
erly cared for, fed and receive proper atten-
ton. Think that the farm is very large
revenue TO the hospital. Cases occasionally
came to the hospital with veTmin on them,
and they go right to work and get rid OF
them. Instructions are given the attendants
to report the condition of the food when there
is complaint about IL. Had no knowledge
OF the patient, Mr.. Adams, being injured by
the attendants.
LOwRY'S DEATH.
Lowry mentioned above died OF organic
disease of the heart, and it was frequently
necessary to battle him as he was very un-
tidy in his personal condition. Thought Il
was necessary to examine all letters before
they are sent out, 1t has always been the
practice of the hospital. Letters OF proper
character are allowed to be sent. II Lowry
had been subjected TO cold bath ii was not
by his OrdeTs-the attendants frequently
washed the patients. Do not regard a cold
bath as proper treatment for a patient af
fected with the heart disease. Did not know
that he had heart disease until the post NOR
TEN. The case had been regarded as a case
of softening ofthe brain. Had given orders
that Lowry be given a warm bath. Lowry
had been there for two years and diet there.
Often pumped beef tea into the stomachs of
the patients. Congressman Mellish, OF New
York, died of exhaustion of acute mania 1t
was nece ssary TO pump food into the patients,
especially when they are laborin9 under a
delusion and refused TO eat,
The doctor then explained the feeding OF
patients by the pumping process. and the
committee adjourned until tomorrow morn
ing. Hereafter no witness In the interest Of
the asylum will be examined until the case
against IL has been fully heard; then DIR.
Nichols will have an opportunity to make
out his defence.