The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-02-06
lbuld. exer. q beneficial physical influence on

bnld exert q beneficial physical influence on
leir more unfortunate companions.
TO avoid repeating we shall silently pass by
10 other departments in which the laws OF
asltl have neither been respected nor obeyed,
ad careful study Of the facts we have submit
id TO your consideration will only tend to in
,eaee your convection that reform OF sweeping
--atEre ls necessary to the attainment OF the I'M
royements we all 80 ardeutly hope Tor.
LaHtly, ell insane asylnms have libraries; we
sould be highly Pleased to see one in ours. A
nere appeal the ChsTity Of yUnT z5bs
'E7ouid fnrnlsh the inmates with books, source
& K great recreative pleasure to such of them as
ire in q condition to read.
5 LABOR.
u To a man in the enjoyment of sound reason
and of proper feeling work is 81 blessing pus al
insane person more particularly accepts !. as q
pleasure and claims it as species OF righ. 70
deprive him of it ia to puni-h him. Physieiehs
have utilized this peculiar mental bias, some as
mode of treatment, others as hygiene msaeure,
simply to better the condition OF patients ana regu-
lste their habits. tits not within our ephere TO ois
cuss or develop these rather too strictly medical
TOPICS. which are out of place here. We propose
to utilize these patients 40 aborers, rather than
To allow them to remain idle and left 70 'neir
thoughts, and thue to organize system or LABOR
adapted TO their strength and nclinations with
out increasing expense. We're they allowed TO
cultivate the lots adjoining tho asylum, when
these should have been properly drained, 1T
would be easy to grow all kinds Ct vegetables,
and to obtain for themselves and companions
valuable articles Of food An attempt or THIS
kind has already been made by the snperintend-
ent. and attended with good results; we saw In
one yard eight patches which were cultivated last
year, and produced quite large qusntlty OF
vegetables and eight barrels Of potatoes.
Besides this easy system OF labor and employ
ment, we suggest the establishment OF poultry
yard and The raising OF hogs The latter could
X L. ErIr v1,n rnVYu Ants If ma In
offai Of tbs kitchen.
with d little good will and perseverance, this
& system will become liz all respects practicable.
In several institutions where IT was carr led out
on large SCALE it has produced such favorable
results that it has become source OF revenue
large enough TO repay State subsidies
and decrease their own budget after hay.
ing covered all the necessary expenses OF these
establishments. II you adopt our suggestion
you will see labor resume its moral sovereignty,
exert all Its power as means OF curing, Or at all
events, benefically influence the condition of pa
TENTS Besides, q large proportion OF the i'm
provements aud changes we have suggested cap
be made by the workmen. OF the asylum, ii the
city can afford to furnish the ma erials. and their
management snd execution oonided to the City
Surveyor, 40 generally known as . competent
and charitable gentleman.
PHYSICIAN.
The physician does not reside in the asylum; he
pays three visits week. and in urgent cases 1t
becomes necessary to apply for medical assist
distance. These details, furnished us by the super
intendent. suggest to our minds reflections which
may enlighten you as to the actual and urgent
necessity of the reform you have 30 honoraby
attempted to effect.
In America and Europe the principle OF resi-
dence Of the physician in the asylum has been
recognized by all those who have concerned
themselves with the organization OF hospitals as
the one most favorable to q proper administra-
tion, and the surest means OF securing to the
patients the care required by their cad condition.
1T has almost everywhere been acknowledged
that autonomy should be granted to insane asy-
II iume; that resident physician, acting inde-
pendently, and secured from the political
i. changes and dissertations which might take place
in the body Of the local au horiieR, should be
appointed. It is generally Understood that il
disc q more sctive supervision over all the en-
ployes, and by word and example would compel
them to discharge their difficult duties more
mildly, humanity and punctuaIy.
Finally, practical proof has been given that
the adoption Of this principle is security for
the interest Of the asylum, and guarantee to
that of the State. Now. it it be admitted that
the Insane Asylum liz for the present to be de-
voted to the treatment Of patients, 1t would take
little TO chow that the tri.weeky visits OF the
honorable incumbent are insufficient. The null
tiplcity Of his occupations, the requirements Of
his practice and the distance of his residence.
are 30 many obstacles allowing him to bestow
but small portion Of his time. Consequently
rather large number OF patients are deprived Of
medical and moral attention, which is the found.
alton of their very special treatment
There is in the above. mentioned fact danger
Gus deficiency, because: Aiiensts are ali agreed
that patient trho is not treated from the pery be
ginning Of his disease is almost i'reuocdby lost.
We should like to Empress you with the fact that
the modern mode of treatment does not consist
simply In giving remedies, but that in order to
make it eff caclous the physician must constantly
observe the actions Of his patient during
the day and even when he is asleep.
ia
the importance to an asylum OF resident physi.
cian; how valuable he would be as director.
and now much good he might do in bringing
X &bout the introduction of improvements in the
{ condition OF patients and the internal manage
mont OF the institution He has time 10 OBJ
servo every patient carefully and particularly, to
study the nature Of his disease, and especially
his disposition and past history. He is aware of
existing abuses and corrects them, he classiies
the afflicted. and, remaining kind when obliged
to be severe, he softens the harsbness OF Che
compulsory means used.
Be assured that he does not consider il as at
all beneath his dignity to concern himself with
the arrangements Of the solitary confinement
cells, ventilation, the doors, windows, bath tubs,
shower-baths and beds for those who befoul
themselves. These matters OF detail, which
others may deem supsitiuous, are not considered
by him as beneath his dignity or care. Filled
with the idea OF his responsibility. and fully
realizing that harmony or tout ensemble is every
thing in an asylum and that each thing is before
hand intended for special purpose, he is con-
stantly attempting to find out what is to be done
to insure the success Of his mission, and pro.
mote order, cleanliness and the welfare OF his
patients. We may sum up in few words by
saying that he alone can impart centralized,
uniform and weltdefned movement.
II You recognize the principle Of residence,
furnish the physician with the means Of identify.
ing himself with the various and complex needs
OF the Asylum, and give the position permanent
and prominent character, you will see him accept
~ ~ humane mission, to the fulf lment OF
which be will devote all his time and zsal; men
and Affairs will be both improved thereby.
We much regret to say that, under the present
only on account Of the internal distribution OF the
asylun, but because of the want Of an infrmary,
which renders almost useless the bestowal Of
proper csre in spite Of the zeal and ability which
F the actual incumbent might evince.
The system we propose ia practical and s found
! IN eli good institutions; we should be happy to
aan a3nt1 aH hv 1paipi