New-York tribune., 1880-02-07
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
.n,nr..rNr oE rHE INSANE AsYLUM.

MANAGEMENT OF THE INSANE ASYLUM.
THE EXAMINATION NOT CONFINED TO THE CASE VI
MARIA orTMER--Dp. MAoDoNALDs CHANGES
In The BlaekycPs Island homicide inquest fur
tber testimony was taken before Coroner Liilngef
Yesterday Among the spectators was ex-Surgeoh'
General Hammond. DR.. LeziDsky, OF the Insane
Asvlum medical staff was recalled to the stand ana
read his notes In the of Maria Ottmer, descr'o
ing the phases of her sickness and hls treatment
He also gave additional information concerning 'he
medical management of the asylum. when pa,
tents become debilitated, he said they are piaceo
on the extra-diet list ard fed on milk, cream
eoga beef tea etc. Before DIR. Macdonald came In
charge the superintendent occasionally v'sited tue
wards-at first every other day, and subsequently
aboutouce a fortnight He madeDo personal exam
ination of the patients but simply looked at tne
hooks of the assistant physicians. DR.. MacDohalus
practice is to VISIT the wards daily and make eN-
inatioas himself. There are on the average TWO oi
three patients who require the restraint Vi .no
s,,o,tiacket Patients sometimes have to be tied
to benches with belts or fastened II bed. Inc ad-
minisration OF medicines Is left entirely to the at
PENDANTS exceot where II u necessary 10 iorce;
In snch eases the ply <ciap is always present ana
assists Ia cases where the patient relus Is loou, ~
is forced into the stomach by ne reverse, w ~
The s,0mach--ump. 4 surgeon was not reqmfeu III
tbe case of Maria Ottmcr. PDst-n0rteln eXamlha-
irons are made by the pathOogist OF the asylum 70
ascertain the causes o. dr5i fociiiSs ii fer The
study of brain diseases since ms appOlnt-
ment in the ASYLUM. both in the library
and practically. Prior 10 the recent changes III au-
mlnistration no instruction Whatever was gwen 70
the staff. Patlelts then were discharged py me
superintendent without any examination; now I'r'
Macdonald makes the eXanIlnatlons eXciuslVeH'
The witness knew of no case treated Tor injuries III
ficted by patients and knew OF no case where a
patient had died from such injuries ana 10 report
had bCcn made to the Coroner.
Mary Foley, one OF the day nurses IN nctfVaV No
. who has served in tbe aSvlGm for sixteen years,
,yas next examined. of Maria Ottmcr she SAID
" On January % she was restless AMI had 10 oe re-
strained all dav On the morning of January -;
about $50 O'clock, the night nurse called ne ana
told me that Maria O5tmcr had been beaten by
Elizabeth Christ. The doctor had beeh there ana
gone Mary McDon0ugh aud Elizabeth ChrlSt were
IN the room with Maria Gttmer. The former was
noisy aud violent at times, while Mrs. Christ was
uuiet as n rule. | never saw her stiike alyUoHy,
except two DAYS previous to tho occurrence WIN
Maria Ottmer, when she struck pa'l'hV a' inc
dinner table with her hand
The witness was examined closely with regard to
the general conduct of the asylum. me physclah'
as q rrie she said, calls az ocOck IN the morning.
and remains about an hour. lie also calls III the
afternoon Weather permitting, the patients are
taken out to the yaid and exercised. In the WINTER
they are out TWO three hours III the morning ana
afternoon in the Summer for longer TINE All
natients receive the same diet unless special det IS
ordered for any of them by the physician. break
fast consists OF homlny and milk, bread and Dut6er
and coffee Syrup is sometimes snDS.i.uted W s lor
day, except Tuesday and Friday. when ish Is
served. The quantity is always sufhcleat' bTedu
and butter ana tea, with apple sauce at les; cou-
stitute the supper. When restraint is used, tne
means are applied and removed by the physicians
order only -, No.. e.,
The examination of Dr. Leonard +. Pitkin, OF the
medical slaff, was begun before adjournment. his
tesrlmony was similar to that of DIR. LezInsky when
referring TO the duties of the staff.
The inquest was adjourned uDtIl tuesday next.