Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-20
MISS DICKIE's CASE.
4 Sane Roman Confined for Years as a
characterization of the Judge Releas-
ing Her.

4 Sane WOman Confined for Years as q
Lwnatic---Decision of the Judge Releas
ing Her.
The GLOBE has already published the fact
of the confinement of Miss Dickie in New
York lunatic asylum for five or six years, and
her discharge as sane, she having been i'm
prlsoned by her brothers and sisters that
they might secure her property. In dis
charging her Judge Brady said:
The commissioners have displayed interest
IN the investigation. and the court expresses
us thanks for the faithful manner in which
.ney nave discharged their duties. Eearly in
Tue progress OF these proceedings, having
Deen appointed by me, they advised me of
tnelr Impressions that Miss Dickie was not
insane or lmbecile. The result or a declara-
uon by the jury after patient and thoroupb
.rlal, on which experts and acquaintance of
ners were examined, that Miss Dckie
was neither insane nor imbecile. The
finding mentioned, it is now
said, should be set aside for ;rrao.
ularities complained of are in the interest Of
Justice. The objector is sister of Miss
Dlckle, and therefore one standing in sncb
relation to her as to warrant the belief that
she would be exultant at her sisters sanity
and deliverance. Her interference seems to
be for the purpose, however, expressed
through her counsel, of having an unquali-
ned decision on the subject of her sister S
lunacy, SO that she may be treated with in
perfect safety. Whether the extraordinary
zeal thus displayed is commendable is a mat
ter with which have not to deal. but it is
clearly unnecessary.
Miss Dickie was entitled to have her case
sltted to the last syllable. The days for 81
lence are past, and speech, though we have
too much of it at times, has become the ally
OF progress, and, therefore. of greatness
Men speak and the press speaks, and good
comes out of the custom. The time has ar
rived, too, when both should speak of oul
system relative to the examination, commit
ment, treatment and care of the imbecile and
the insane. This case suggests grave con
slderation, 1t appears that attendants, male
ana female, employed in the institution
where Miss Dlckie was confined became ner.
Vous, and are SO far affected as to labor un.
der decisions. 1t is well known that phvsi
clans Ill care of lunatics have themselves lost
tnelr reason from the effect of the duties i'll.
cumbent upon them and the associations b,
winch they were surrounded, and thus 6
diseased mind has had the superitendence
and superior control of the lunatie
until the lnfirmity is discovered
These incidents and the dictates OF
humanity seem to demand that a person sent
to an asylum should, for a period of probation
be kept separate and apart from others sim
llarly disturbed, isolated from the general
community until result is demonstrated tina,
at last great doubts of a recovery exist. The
surroundings should be of sane and not in
sane persons, because the inference is fairly
warranted that temporary insanity is not les
sened by contact with insane persons. It is
also quite apparent that some system of per.
sonal supervision should be devised by which
persons confined as lunatics should be exam
med by competent persons other than those
VINO accustomed to regard them as insane
would approach them with settled convic
tons or decided impressions of their menta
condition; this procedure should be a
| stated intervals. If this were feature o,
our system, Is it possible that Miss Dickis
would have remained SO long in contine
| ment?
There is another suggestion arising from
this case and its results, and that is that tn,
law should require trial, such as had herr
49, =" o1ASs CuIIly GdSS d1Ief
subject is committed to an ASYLUM. A
present, two physicians may certify that
person is insane, and on their approval b,
the court, the supposed lunatic is sent to th,
asylum. His mental condition may be sucl
as to demand his immediate confinement. i
is true, but the right to treat him thus should
be determined by some more formal ant
| exhaustive process, before his restraint should
| be declared Indefinite
The laws require amendments, it canno
be denied. Assuming the finding of the iur,
IN Miss Dlckie's case to be correct that he
long Imprisonment is disgrace to ou
boosted civilization, intelligence, science ane
justice, and imposes upon us the duty o
creating every possible preventive against ;
similar outrage and disgrace, it is impossible,
almost to believe that it was the result O
design, singly or by combination: but if i
were, the persons engaged in it should be Sc
verely punished. Since the preparation O
this opinion, l have been advised that a bill
has been introduced in the Legislature, max
ing provision for trial such as suggested
herein, and the reform has therefore begun
1t is to be hoped there will be an immediat,
general revision of the laws, and a wiser ane
more practical system adopted