The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-02-11
THE CRIB. OR PRoTEc ION BED.

THE CRIB, OR PRorEC ZION BED.
The Journal has had much TO say recently
in regard TO this article as used by the pres
ent management of the Indiana Hospital for
the Insane. The impression has gone forth
tn At the crib is an implement Of torture
SURPRISING in horror the most fearful modes
of the InquisitIon. Many hearts have been
made to suffer by the Journal, which, with
Its usual mendacity, has perverted facts,
and drawn on the prolific Imagination OF its
city editor, in dishing up tales OF horror
concerning the administration of affairs at
the Indiana Hospital for the Insane. The
"crib" is fashioned after the pattern OF that
highly necessary and generally used article,
the baby's crib, with which all of rs are 80
familiar. II Ia strong, has a lattice top, or
lid. which can bs fastened and
made secure. 1t is supplied
with the same quantity and quality
# bedclothes as is the ordinary hospital
d. There is ample space for the patient
move and change position, and the venti-
ian is not checked. The crib was in
Veld, and is used. as means of protec-
tion the patient, and not as a punishment
farsi;cs, with their power OF motion. i'm
paireore very apt to fall out OF bed. Epi-
leptics Ser from commissions at night, and
In the paxysms roll off the bed. Thus we
see tnat nelasses referred to are in danger
Oh contusiIs, conclusions Of the brain,
broken limbs nd displaced joints. By using
the CID Tor PAL tics and epileptics at night
these dangers al avoided. A person suffer
ing from acute hnia, ravinE with delIrium,
mental powers perverted, a7d able to exer.
else no control, is MT the proper person to
be placed In an oro.nsry bad. Such per.
son would suffer from salIs, which would be
very serious and besides, he ravin,
maniac, unless restrained. is ais likely t.
iDjure others besides himself
The lives OF many persons have bee, save
by the use Of the crib. Suicides are pre-
vented by its use.
The crib was invented by DR.. Aubanel,
French superintendent of the Marseill,
Lunatic Asylum, in 1915, aud introduced 4
America in lS46 by DR.. Brigham, of the NV
York State Lunstic Asylum, at Utica fhs
crib now in use is described as follew,in q
report OF the superintendent OF the Utics
Asylum; This bed is constructed Ike ar
ordinary child's crib, with the adddon of {
Slated cover. This arrangement does no
interfere with the movek3snts q the patien
rolling from one side OF me bel TO the othel
or moving the limbs many sayi it merely
prevents the patient fom sitting up ant
getting out OF bed. As the sides and top
are open, the air ciruletes as freely abou
the patient as in a. ordinary bed. Restraint
in horizontal picture, is used in cases o.
exhaustion, whel the Physical health of the
patient demaris that he or she be kept In
bed; the meicsl thought involved IL
readily appreciated. Sick people ordinarily
lie in bed urier the advice and direction o.
the physicin, but the same class when in
sane, will lot always do so, and these ar
rangemerts are to effect this end DR.. W
L. Lin6ay, prominent in the study of nerv
Gus di<ases, and in the treatment ofthe same
being physician to the Royal Institution
at Path, Scotland, DIR. Brown, commission
or il lunacy for Scotland, DIR. Gilchrist and
DE- Robertson, superntendents In Scotland
Iadorse the use of thescrib. DIR. Robertson
says, This bed (crib) is extensively used in
the lunstio asylums Of the United States
and the feet that it is SO used by physicians
30 advanced, amidst people so enlightened
as those in America, seems to me a strong
argument in favor of its usefulness DR..
Lindsay, mentioned above, a man OF varied
attsinments, and extensive ex-
perience in caring for the in.
sane, says The general result OF the use
of the pro.ecuon-bed in some of its forms,
as compared with the orthodox modes OF
dealing with the classes OF patients already
described. - thus, in my opinioG. that It is
directly and decidedly conservative of life
and health, and preventive of injury and
disease. And, in virtue, thereof, believe
ITS employment to be one OF the most i'm.
portant practical matters that can attract
the attention of the physician. and espeo-
tally OF the hospital physician. By nom
professional persons. who have unhappiIy
had relatives requiring at home some such
adjunct TO personal nursing, the value OF
such bed has been perceived At once. so
that have had occasion to lend out for long
periods some Of our spare protection beds
for the use OF inyslids Kept at home for pri-
vate treatment" The Journal differs, OF
course, with these learned and experienced
medical gentlemen. and its city editor
after "beiDg in all the large
Insane Asylums." and mot yet cured"
presumes TO place his opinion OF how