The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-21
THE CARE OF THE INSANE.

ERRORS OF LAYMEN IN DISCUSSING THE MAN
AGEMENT OF AsYLUMs--CoNrRIBUTIo OF
AMERICAN SPECIALISTS TO THE KNOWLEDGE
OF NERVOUS DISEASES.
NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 1879.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
In your issue of yesterday appears account of a
meeting held last evening for tho ostensbe purpose
of changing the Lunacy laws Of this State. and ques
tioning the administration of various State city
asylums.
This meeting addressed by two or three gen.
temen well known to the community vigilant
and active reformers. but am this occasion
their better Judgment did not assert itself. On the
contrary. their efforts pledged to the support
of an ill-adyised and unwarranted attack upon the
competency Of several universally respected public
officials such attack being inspired by certain hot
headed and jealous men. and regret to say Of the
profession to which have the honor to belong.
do not desire to appear at this time in the light
either Of an apoogist champion. for there appear
to be no charges worthy Of notice to explain away,
and feel quite sure that Drs. Gray, Macdonald and
other superintendent perfectly capable of taking
care Of themselves There were. however, certain
statements made at the meeting at Cooper Institute
which were obviously founded upon superficial
observations. and undoubtedly from the false
reasoning certain laymen apt to indulge in when
they attempt to experiment to their satisfaction
with medical or other sciences, of which they know
little or nothing that feel constrained to direct at
tention to many discrepancies in statistical and
other information advanced by of the speakers
whose motives were well-meaning. but inju6icous.
The Rev. Dr. Storrs for instance. presented stats-
tics in regard to the durability Of insanity and stated
that the percentage OF not as great as 1t
years ago. wrongly insinuatng that this falling
n6 m i'm rl,,vV
ment. Any one familiar with the subject and study
OF mental diseases (and refer to physicians) will
realize that the Importation OF elements of
ciety, foreign vice. as well as great and alarming
changes in American life and morals tntemperance
included) nervous diseases of an incurabo type Of
which little was known fifteen twenty years ago,
are becoming exceedingly rife and on the in
crease. It must aso be remembered that the
advances in neurological science OF late years
such to enable superintendent of asylums to
distinge al and deny admission to OF durable
functional nervous diseases. hysteria and acute
affections presenting mental symptoms, tn max
ing the percentage OF cures appear to be greater
Other persons than those interested in this move
ment who would visit any Of our asylums would
find that large proportion OF those pre-
senting symptoms of organic nervous disease
chronic insanity. which IN put rev instances are
drawn between durable general diseases and dis
orders OF the brain. for any person of but limited
education will realize the serious character OF all
affections OF the nervous system.
The statements of the medical speaker upon the
occasion are 80 unfair and unjust to the superin-
tcndents he attacks that their denial hardly
sary. 1t Is only proper to refute them, however,
toto by general denial. and any inquiring person
may satisfy himself to their insincere character by
q visit any OF the syums. where there has never
been shown the least secrecy concealment. have
personally visited the asy lums complained OF and
find that there is 'herding together of acute and
chrome such has been spoken Of that there
are hospital wards; that all the chronic male pa
tients who may be safely trusted daily occupied
in outdoor manual work, such has been advo
Gated by the best alienists in this country and
As to the charge Of professional incompetency
upon the part OF superintendent there is proof
that such exists other than the unsupported state
ments or disappointed aspirants for office and dis
charged officials and nurses. The medical journals
Great Britain and the Continent tuly attest to
can superintendent; and as to the suggestions in
regard to debarring physicians who have been
sistants for years in asylums from the privilege OF
promotion to the post OF superintendent. 1t strikes
the writer that persons who have derived extensive
practical experience naturally better qualified for
the office than a medical man from outside who
at best but theoretical &C The
latter person is the speakers ideal Of the proper
man for the place.
ton OF this kind Is productive of the results
tar the feelings of the public at large
cerned, and the sensational articles that have re-
Gently appeared in the papers have already had their
evil effects. tor am told by very distinguished
physician, and doubtless others could give the
experience. that OF his patients has been made
insane by these published sensational articles. In
conclusion it might be stated that the efforts OF
these. trust sincere reformers may be better en-
ployed in keeping people out of the asylums. Dr.
luke III of his attractive essays upon insanity,
shows not only that the statistics in regard to the
increase of insanity are erroneous, but that fair
comparison by figures. of the amount extent. cura-
bily and mortality OF modern insanity and that OF
fifty years ago is impossible; that data indicating an
increase have much to do with its pres
ent treatment and tho longevity of the in
sane lie also proves. as DO others. that certain
causes of insanity in Great Britain. which also have
much to do with its continuance, exist to tenfold
extent in this country: and it is not surprising that
the proportion OF cures 49, perhaps. less than else
where. What we really need extensive
commodations which are already. however. being
provided, aud saared assistants who will find it an
object to remain at asylums in which they may DO
Interested Speaking generally it may be said also
that need intelligent discussion of the best
methods of treatment OF the insane and heartier
sympathy with those who professionally charged
with their care. The task of such members of tho
medical profession Is easy one. their respon-
sibilities not light But they will not be helped
to discharge those responsibilities by sweeping
cri icism. which implies II IL has not the courage
direct to charge. widespread inetiiciency aud
neglect and which rctard the efforts of men who
have devoted lifetime to the cause of the insane
with obloquy or suspicion.