The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-03-23

Insane Asylum Mismanagsmsnt.
The subject of the Encouragement Of the
insane asylums of this country, and the
cruelties and unscientifc treatment to
which their inmates are subjected, have
finally compelled the attention of physicians
and others not directly connected with
such institutions. At recent meeting OF
the Medico-Legal Society of this city--a So
ciety composed of the most eminent mem
bers of both the medical and legal profess
sions-the subject of asylum abuses was
fully debated, with special reference to the
asylums of this State. In the course OF the
evening the assertion was made that the in
sane asylums of this country are among the
worst, if not the very worst, in the civil
lied world, and that, instead of improving,
they are actually falling off year by year
from the comparatively high standard OF
o few years ago. Thus, within
short period measure OF per-
sonal restraint has been introduced
which equals in horror anything used in
asylums before Pierce and Connolly under
took their reformation, and in which wild
beast could not be humanely confined. This
is crib, made after the pattern of a childs
crib, but with barred lid to it. Into this
cage the poor lunatic is put and the top is
shut down and locked. The consequence
is that the sufferer is compelled to occupy
the recumbent position, for the space be-
tween the body and the lid is not more than
few inches. Think Of being shut up for
days and nights at a time in an apparatus
like this, and think what must be the conse-
quence to an already congested brain by
position which tends still further to increase
the disease! This whole subject Of bodily
restraint needs overhauling. 1t is not al
lowed in Great Britain at all; and the
asylum superintendent who should put one
of his patients into the Utica crib, rs it is
called, or muffie his hands in a straitjacket,
would certainly lose his position in twenty
four hours, if he did not incur more severe
punishment.
Let the asylums be Investigated. If they
are in good condition and we'll managed SO
much the better for those who control
them. If they are as bad as they are said to
be the sooner the public knows the fact the
sooner the proper remedy can be applied.
At any rate it is creditable to New York that
the inquiry is to begin here.
The following memorial, which grew out
of the discussion in the Medico-Legal Soci-
ETY., has been sent to Albany
To THE HoxoRAYLE rHE SENATE ASSEMBLY
STATE NEW YORK;
The undersigned, committee OF the Medico-Legal
society the city OF New YORK; respectfully ask your
honorable bodies to institute inquiry into tho con-
dit ION and management OF the unatic asyiums OF TINS
State.
unfortunate inmates IRE, many OF them, treated In
which Ia disgraceiul 10 CIVILIZATION cruel ana
burburOus aud not IN accordance with the present ad-
vanccd state OF medical science In support OF these
allegations, which made with ull due solemnity,
the com only las directed by tho society u
reprxsents) appends copy Of paper read by Dr. T.
e. Sptzka before the society at s meeting on tho 0th
inst but 1t arms It's readiness 10 suostantate them
by tho testimony OF experts IN Psychological medicine
IN oil parts OF the Stato and country as well as by the
declarations OF eminent iorcign aenists ana BY COM
PARSONS with ike institutions In Great Britain,
France and Germany
The committee asks the attention OF your honorable
bodies the whole system by which asyiums OF this
State managed, and especially 10 tho state Lunac
Asylum at Utica. against when grave charges have
| beon made by responsible anu competent persons
Tho committee therefore, tor the accomplish mont
OF the objects In view respectfully requests your hon.
0rable bodies TO appoint joint committee OF INQUIRY
with power 10 take testimony OF 10 proceed tn sucn
other manner as to your honorable bodies may seem
best. And your msmoralists, as IN duty bound, Will
NEW York, March Is, 1878.
JOHN c. HANNAH II. D.
WILLIAM A. HAMMOND, ~. d.
d. s. RIDDLE.
JACOB s. MILLER.
Z. G. SPITZkA. N. D.
This memorial covers the whole ground
and is Of such o character as to claim the
immediate consideration of the Legislature.