The New York herald., 1876-11-30
MRS. GLEASON'S CASE.
TESTIMONY OF THE PHYSICIANS AND OTHERS
WHO HAD THE LADY IN CHARGE AT TIE

TESTIMONY OF THE PHYSICIANS AND OTHERS
WHO HAD Tue LADY IN CHARGE AT TIE
HosrIr AND THE cIrY ASYLUM
Tho story which has been 30 extensively 'goirg tho
rounds" OF alleged cruel treatment practsed by tho
officials Of Bellevue Hospital and the Insane Asylum
Black Wells Island upon Mrs. Waite Annie Gleason
is under Investigation by the Commissioners OF Chari-
ties aud Correction Yesterday morning u
number OF communications from doctors and
others were read at meeting OF tho Board.
so far as this teslimony goes tho facts do
not exhibit any il-treatment neglect OF duty tho
part OF the officials to whose cases like this
entrusted and who responsible for the proper
mcnt OF the unfortunatcs committed to thcm. In the
absence orany knowledge who Mrs Gleason really
was, who her friends were where shc re-
sided, tho usual course In such cases was
followed, and the testimony OF the physicians
would seem to preclude the doa that the lad.
ccived anything but proper treatment under the cir
cumstances. Farther testimony win, no doubt be
elected, and those who have anything 10 say against
the statements contained in the communications read
yesterday VIII have opportunity afforded them to
make known their allegations. Warden o'Rourkc, OF
Bellevue Hospital, was before the Commissioners in
the morning and answered such questions put
10 hi his responses showing that his duty had
performed In strict accordance with the rules.
THE CONVERSATIONS.
communication was read from pr r. n. Disbrow,
ambulance surgeon In which he stated how he found
Mrs Gleason Al tao Mercer street station, whittier she
had been brought by an officer who had found her
wandering In the streets with u sprained ankle. She
gave her address No Az West Forty street.
but when the sergeant there ascertain about
her II was found that Mrs. Gleason had left that
boarding house days before and tho landady aid
not know where she now resided. The Doctor bcieved
she was suffering from dcmentia, aud a her friends
could not be found he concluded TO send her TO Belle
vue Hospital
W. 5. Mcnamara, the Register Clerk at Bellevue
Hospital stated that tho patient had been
the hospital October 81, at twenty minutes before
ninO r. NJ. that she sent to the cells under
OF Dr. Symington; that on her person were found
So b8 in money, chain and locket aud pair Of
rings that on the following morning he questioned
her, with a view to his making proper entry OF her
ARRIVAL and that could not got she being
very violent and abusive; TINT she was removed TO
Insane Asylum, Blackwcrs Island and that pre-
vous TO her going she could not say II she had any
friends IN this city,
Joseph Fogarty helper at the Morguc stated that he
had been called TO the prisoners cell found her vio-
lent and that after tho STRAIT Jacket had been put
her she kicked OF the bed cloh hes that II was then
her feet were secured with muslin bandages that shc
was treated with the utmost Kindness
Dir. Thomas Smith, who had seen the patient testi-
Ned that II was PLAINLY marked case OF insanity"
DR.. james symngton, the House Physician. under
whose Mrs. Gleason placed IN the hospital,
made lengthy statement He stated that alter tho
patient had been Put TO bed she grew worse and threw
herself violently against tho door of The cell several
tmos, and II after this, tearing the patient would
hurl herself, that the strait-Jacket was put on one
regard this ,ho Doctor said that IN the
trying cases she lost her temper In regard
tho putting OF tho straitjacket he said that II
thero were other reason the trouble II gave tho
attendants to would DO sure TO prevent its
necessary use.
Dr. Brickes, Physician 10 the City Prison, gave in
his communication corroboration OF the testimony
OF the other physicians and said that as no improve
mcnt setting in in her case at tho hospital, and as
she seemed TO have friends TO take OF her II
matter OF charity to the patient to send her to
tho asylum Tor mental treatment Tho diagnosis mado
m Re he m IA
the asylum The patient was kept at Bellevue five
days, the legal time.
Dr. X. L. L rsous, Medical Superintendent OF tho
City unatc Asylum, stated in his letter that tho
tient the asylum November 4, and shc
was placed in portion OF tho reception hall remote
from that occupied by patients who arc Liable to be-
come excited. She was suffering from u physical and
mental shock. one OF ner ankles was spraIncd by
fall from u street car or stage Her memory was DO
fcctvc especially regarding events. She could
not remember whether she had fallen from a street
stage. Shc could moi remember In what part OF
Broadway she had intended TO visit On the day
OF the fall nor between which avenues she had re-
sided Tor tie previous months. Snc could not
member tho of u fellow boarder with whom she
intimate who called 10 her. Other than this
defect OF memory with a general weakening OF the
abIity think, tho Doctor did not nd any evidence
OF insanity either in ber conversation In hcr de-
pertinent The Doctor wished TO remove her to bet
ter roam but she refused this as she had become at
tachcd her He had never said that serious
mistake had been made sending her TO the asylum
she might be taken care OF by her friends ia heir
houses well as NJ an asylum. Mrs Gleason knew
that Mrs Bishop and other trends were enucavoring
10 secure her being taken from the Island but when
the day came for her go she declined going saying
she unable to bear the fatigue; but rs Mts.
Bsnop could not spare the time to to the Island
another day Mrs Gleason was persuaded to go.
Tho Commiss ioners VIII continue the investigation
tomorrow. No opinion was given by the Board yes
tcrjay.