Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-07-31

crowdsi condition of the hospital and the
application OF the board OF visitors to Con-
them to erect additional buildings for the
accommodation of the female patients, tue
committee desire to call attention TO the law
recommend that Its provisions be strictly
observed In the future. The class Of persons
who were entitled to the BENEFITS of the hos
army, navy, revenue cutter service, aud
marine corps, and the INDECENT insane of the
District of Columbia; also, private patients
from The upon paying The actual
1866, which was more than q year after the
close OF the war, there were but 1872 soldiers
and marines in the hospital. During that
benefits of the Institution to all, who, having
served In the army or navy, became insane
within three years OF the time OF their dis.
duced by such service. Although the bene-
hts of this act extended to q very large class
Of persons, IT, however. did not Increase the
considerable degree, as IL will be found by
reference to the annual report of the board
Of visitors that this class CT patients NAM
NUMBER m se The or
soldiers were mustered out of the service
sometime in the year 1865, and had
Titled to admission to the hospital, except en
those who had become insane within three
years from their discharge and from causes
produced while in the service, as is provided
by the act of 1866. In the appropriation bill
for the year 1869, after the usual words e.
tending the Dement'S OF the hospital to the
army and navy, these words were inserted
come insane since their entry into the ser.
vice of the United States" These words
have been repeated In each appropriation
bill since, with the addition, however, OF the
words, sand who are INDECENT" which have
been added In the bills of the last three
years. The mum Der OF discharged soldiers
on the 30th OF June, 1875, was ia. 1t is doubt.
ful whether any of this number would be
entitled TO treatment then under the act OF
1866, and prior acts, for the reason that their
insanity was, in all probability, produced
by other causes than that OF their service in
the army and navy. The committee are of
the opinion that the government is under no
more moral obligation to support this class
of insane persons than 1t is to support the
soldiers who have by accident or otherwise
become disabled since their discharge from
the army. and in view of the fact that the
hospital is now crowded beyond Its capac-
tty, would recommend that hereafter its
benefits be extended only to such az are
mentioned In the act of 1866, and prior acts.
usually large number of patients, admitted
from civil life, that are being treated at this
institution. According TO the last report OF
at the hospital on the 30th of June. ISIS.
was go. The civilians who are entitled To
the benefits OF the institution are of two
come insane while residing in the district of
Columbia. Second, private patients from
the District upon pay ent Of the actual cost
of their support: OF this latter class there
were 81 remaining under treatment at the
close OF the fiscal year, June 80. 1915. De-
Quoting this number from the whole num-
Der of civil patients, 1t will be seen that
from the District under treatment. By re-
ference to the census Of 1870 IL will be found
that the ratio OF insane people in the United
states is about one to every one thousand Of
of Columbia may be estimated in round
numbers at $50 900 and assuming that All the
insane persons, including those who are not,
as well as those who are, INDECENT, to be con-
fined at the hospital, the number, according
TO the average ratio, ought not to exceed 150
and unless II can be established that the
number OF insane In this District Is very
much larger in proportion to the population
than in any other portion OF the United
states, IL follows that very many OF this
dents Of this District at the time OF admis.
sion, and therefore not entitled TO the ben
efts OF the Institution.
A notable instance of failure in a Strict
Observance of the law with respect to the adj.
mission of civilians, will be found in the
fact that class of persons known as dipso-
manlacs have been receiving the benefits of
the Institution. In their report for the years
1878, the board of visitors say: "The most
marked event in the last year was the adj
mission OF an unusual number of dipsoma-
alcoholic stimulants had, In the Judgment of
competent medical men, become an ipsani-
ty, evinced both by the extent and by other
more or less permanent morbid mental man.
While the Committee do NOT
doubt that person may become insane from
the excessive use OF ardent spirits, they do
not Incline to the belief that the ''morbid
mental manifestations" es such q person
may exhibit, Ia such species OF insanity as
TO entitle him to admission TO this insfitu-
ton. These persons are more properly sub.
a neyIrr
than the inmate OF this institution. Under
the law as 1t now exists, civilians are ad-
mitted upon the certificate CT two respect
able physicians" certifying to their insani-
ty. In view of the fact that The Committee
believe that a large number of persons have
been admitted who are not emit tied to adj
mend that the law regul ating the admission
OF patients from the District of Columbia be
so amended as TO require judicial investi-
CATION and the verdict of an inquest to estab-
fish the insanity, residence and ability OF
the person for whom such admission is
sought, to pay for bis or her support.
IN conclndlng their report the committee
yestigation with q full consciousness of the
responsibilities that attach TO IL, and with q
Just appreciation of the duty they owe, not
tients and to those to whose care and pro-
lection they have been entrusted, but to the
country, to arrive at and report the truth
Ttn Ipee1 d 70 the Of this in.
be able 10 say unanimously that, notwith-
standing the exceptional charge OF neglect,
which, perhaps, resulted from the unfaith-
fulness and lncompetency Of those imme-
diately In charge OF such cases, the general
management OF the institution is, in the
opinion OF your committee, all that could
be reasonably expected in an Institution of
such delicate and difficult management.
Signed: William Mutchler, A. N. Boone,
w. b. Anderson, l.. d. Woodwork, John Q.
Tufts.
A BABY's DEAD BoDY.-About O'Clock,