The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-01
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
Asylum for Inebriates.


To the Editor of the Indiana polls Journal:
The local columns of the Journal last Sat-
urday contained brief notice of a commits
sion which had been appointed to sit upon
the alleged insanity of a man whose conduct
was irregular, and which decided that he
was not eligible to treatment in the hospital
for the insane because he was suffering only
from an attack of delirium tremens. 1t is
not our purpose to say that this is one of the
most painful forms of insanity, not includ-
ing the disgrace and shame which attaches
to the disease, but we wish to enter our pro-
test against the discrimination which is all
the time made by commissions, if not by the
law ITSELF against this form of insanity. Had
this unfortunate, who was found wander
ing around in a state of fearful madness,
been recently attending some exciting
religious meetings, he would have been pro-
nounced insane at once, and the doors of the
hospital would have been thrown open to
him. But 1t was only delirium tremens, and
he is turned loose upon his family and upon
society, to suffer and to do whatever may ap-
pertain to the insanity of that disease.
Is not our treatment of the victims of this
horrible disease reprehensible? Are not per-
sons vino become unmanagable from habituai
intoxication as much insane as though over
doses of morphine, or business troubles, or
religious excitement, or hereditary faint had
been the probable cause? Why should line
be drawn? Why should every other form of
insanity be provided for, and this be left
without even a kind word. Every senti-
ment of humanity requires the
most liberal provision for this rapidly
increasing class of sufferers Even our sell
iishness should induce us to provide for the
victims of alcoholism, for no man can look
upon his own family and feel sure that some
one of them may not need the asylum which
such hospital should afford. 1t is said that
during the debate upon the bill that organ
5zed our hospital for the insane, the opposi-
aion was Modified if not silenced by one OF
fhe friends of the measure saving, with much
pathos; Gentlemen, none of us can tell
bow soon some of us, in some branch of our
families, may need such a home and such
treatment as this bill contemplates. And
sure enough, among the very first patients
received was the wife of one of that very
Legislature, and one of the legislators him
self died in the hospital after years of treat
ment there
1t is a question that forces itself upon
every philanthropist 1t has nothing TO do
with the Temperance question at all; it is
purely one of humanity. 1t may be debate
able whether special asylums for this special
form of insanity should be provided, or
whether the portals of our present and future
hsylums should be opened to it. For numer-
Gus reasons this last proposition seems most
oper, but we shall not sickle for that We
ly wish now to say that provision must be
.ade for this form of insanity, and that
ntil better laws is enacted the authorities
.honld give a most liberal construction
of the present law in favor of
fheea upfortupatas Meanwhile will not
some competent person or persons mature
and prepare a bill looking to this end? IL
cannot be intrusted to any Legislature. The
sixty short days allowed for legislation are
too short to allow such a work. There are
rapable men of Large experience and cempre-
hensiye views who can do much good in
thus preparing for the needed legislation.
Who will meritthe gratitude of the suffering
- going to work on this task? U. L. SEE.
INDIANAPOLIS, July 80.