The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-02-11

10 treat the insane against tno opAniohsOA eno
gentlemen Just quoted. The questioa lie not
whether the Journal likes a crib or objects
to il, but whether its use is indicated and
considered beneficial by the medical officers
Of our Insane Hospital. The most violent
maniacs are controlled and rendered quiet
by the use of the crib, and this without any
damage or hurt to them. DR.. Lindsay fur
Their says: SIT is all very well. doctriaoires
Who have never themselves had to contend
with the difficulties connected WIN The
management Of maniacs to talk OF moral
saasion.' In nearly all cases it is of no use
whatever, and nothing but superior physical
force Is to be trusted to. And 1t is flem the
non application of physical force, judicious-
" and dispsssionately, OF course, in cases
requiring il, that so many accidents occur
to and from the insane. both out OF asylums
and In them"
The crib, or protection-bed, Is used, with
few exceptions, in all lunatic asylums in
the United States 1t is used in France,
Scotland and Germany. Mechanical re-
straint is not used in England. This is an
order of the commissioners in lunacy IN
England, and against the opinions of many
OF the superintendent OF ssylums, and we
can positively assert, and ii can be
shown from statistical reports, that, under
the American system, percentage OF cures
Is greater. percentage of deaths less, suicides
and accidents not so numerous as under the
English non-restraint system.
few words in regard to the protection
bed being introduced in the Indiana Hos
pital for the Insane. Dr. WOODBURY., OF
/ this city. a former superintendent, intro
duced it. DR.. Everts used it during the
! whole of his administration. He is on rec
/ ord as shown by printed statements, as in
favor of tie cribs. Forty-six were
in use when he retired from the
superintendency of the Indiana
Insane hospital. Ithss never been condemn
/ ed by him. He has directed its use. Now
! why has not the Journal preached its TRADE
against cribs before? 1t was introduced by
DIR. WOODBURY., a Republican superinten-
dent 1t was continued and its use increased
by Dr. Everts, personal and political friend
of the Journal. Yet, in all these years o.
: DR.. Everts' administration, not a word was
said by the Journal about cribs. DIR. Everts
( certainly did not allow the Journal free &C.
/ cess to the Hospital, as DR.. Rogers has done.
L Let the Journal be fair and honest for once
in its existence, and say il is not the use of
/ cribs and mechanical restraint that hurts 1t,
I but saving Of and turning into the treasury
/ by the present administration, of 81 900 OF
the appropriation unexpended. Some
thing must be done to break the
force of this exhibit of Democratic econ
omy and prudent management, hence the
yawping o. the Journal about cruelty, mex
perience, etc. But it is useless to expect
fairness from the Journal.
trench, German, English, American and
Scotch authorities could be quoted in favor
OF the protection bed; pages could be filled
with testimonials in its favor; patients who
realize its benefits after their recovery could
be questioned, and piles OF testimony noun
tain high can ne adduced in favor OF it as q
protection and q benefit Yet the Journal,
whose knowledge of insanity and its treat
ment is as valuable Is a last years bird-nest
presumes to place its opinions on this subject
in opposition to those o. the distinguished
men quoted in this articl,. The public al
, ready appreciates the animLs of the Journal
} and Its publications on this subject will have
little effect.