The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-01
SENATE COMMITTEE.
The Investigation Of Longyiew Asylum
To-day.

The investigation of the Lonsview Asylum
management proceeded to-day, and from the tes-
timony taken up to date IL is our candid opinion
that the charges OF cruelty to patients at the insti
tuition is due more to ill-feeling against shperin-
tendent Miller on the part OF o certain morning
paper than 10 an honest desire TO have iair IN
vcstigation OF the alleged crueties.
From the testimony taken ii seems conclusive
beyond doubt, that Dr. Miller has ably mail
aged the Asylum and has treated his patients win
all the humanity OF which mans nature Is
possessed.
The following testimony was taken this morning:
MI George X. Sage, attorney testined NAV on
the 18th OF November 1878. he brought out pa
owing to newspaper reports, and that he was sur
pIsed when he arrived, to- see a
patient who had been in handouts in
the Probate Court, washed and perfectly quiet
tone to patients, 10 make them feel that they were
their friends. The witness found no patient
under restraint. lie found another peculiar
feature about the Asylum, namely, the absence
OIL the peculiar odor that is generally expected TO
be around such places. This morning he saw the
patient, referred TO above as being handcuhed,
perfectly harmless
VIM. j. Elliot, testified that hi. wife was brought
TO Longview March Sth, 1873. He said that one OF
the attendants had told him that his wife had
been beaten by the attendants. He applied for
admission to get her out, aud when he did he
found bruises on her arms and legs Her mind is
perfectly sound now but her body is not.
N s. Goldkamp, attendant in Ward 4, testified
that cold baths had been administered by order OF
the doctor. She found the baths beneficial and
that the patients were restored 10 reason. The
baths were given for medical testment As
rule the patients did not object to the baths. The
Classification of pItientS here is great success.
In the instance of patient who was given
the cold bath, and who before that had been stu
pid and who refused 10 eat, she recovered in six
weeks and was sent home cured. In regard TO
Sallle Easley, the witness testified that she never
saw Sallie using them cruelty; she never saw her
throw them TO the ground nor place towel over
their faces.
Dr. W. W. Dawson testified that he visited the
Asylum on the average once year. He never
saw anything unusual. As TO the effects Of cold
baths on patients, he was not an expert He did
not treat insane people. III the case OF some one
falling down stairs and sustaining fracture OF
the neck OF the fcmor i'll the thigh the symptoms
would be plain. In some cases OF fracture the
symptoms wi uld be obscure. Some surgeons put
no restraint on the patient in cases OF this kind.
Dr J. A. Thacker testf d that in the ealy part
OF his medical career he had some experience
with insane persons in the Lick Run YUM.
The treatment OF the patients depended upon the
class and variety OF their insanity In cases OF
acute mania we would endeavor TO reduce their
excitement by medication; in mild cases we
would use persuasion, kind treatment and sym
pathy; in violent cGses the latter course would
not do; confinement anodynes, purgng
methods, &c, would have to be resorted 10;
when insane persons attempted injury to them
selves their hands were strapped together and held
firmly over their breasts by means Of a leather
belt At Lick Run, in cases OF great excitement
or delirium, we used the shower bath. The use Of
opiates in these cases was considered dangerous
After the shower bath the patient would be
rubbed down and put to bed and the next morn
ing he would wake UP without any
signs of excitement fhe cold.water
bath could be efficiently used if q
person was not too much depressed, and if he
was in general good health. He thought the daily
bathing of persons who had considerable physical
energy would be very beneficial, divided the
water would not be too cold. The physical sys.
ten Of the patient should be looked after before
his mental condition. before giving a bath to a
patient.
The Committee then adjourned for dinner.