The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-09
N lAsyIuuns.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
In 1881 there was occasion fer an 'investiga-
tom of certain transactions connected with the
Marion County Asylum for the Poor, and at that
time was brought to notice the need ofisome re-
form, both as to.the condition and management
of these institutions throughout the State.
In an article appearing in the Evening News
of this city, June ~, 1881, the writer gave his
views, relating to whats should he done, andmade
certain suggestions. As what was said then
is pertinent at this time, permit me to call at
tention again to it'by the following extract from
that article:
| Fourth-The insane or idiotic should not be kent in
the county asylum, lin company with the worthy sane
poor. The insane should go to the proper asylum al
ready provided for them, and provisions should be
made for the idiotic.
ButIndiana has no hospitalsuitable to receive the
sick poor, nor areithere work houses for those who
are aole-oodlsu- las "a matter OF necessity, such are
crowded intoa improperplace. Niatishal be done!
The only remedy isithe establishment of a hospitality
the State for the reception Of the genepsa sick IN the
same manner as she has already provided for Che in
sane, the blind and theldeaf. and dumb.
NThis'is the next great step the State should take in
State medicine. This alone would rid the various
county asylums or homes of many whose presence
there complexities matters, so that the management of
such institution could be such as it ought.
The State should also institute a system of work
houses, such as, i-nsthe1wisdom Of its legislators, might
be thought hest.
From these extracts it is evident that the ne
cessity for reform was as evident then as now.
Iregret to say that the facilities for accom-
plishing such are as spasre now as then.
Marion is the only county that is moving in
the matter of a work house; the additional
asylums for the insane are not yet built, and no
provisions have been made for the accommoda-
ton ofthe sick citizens of the State in hospitals,
except those of a few cities.
Some one suggests that at the coming conven-
ton of county commissioners this matter. should
be attended to. 1t may do good to agitate the sub
ject thus; but unless something else is done, it
will end in a spasmodic and temporary show of
virtuous desire.
Nothing can be done of permanent value
in the direction of reform, as regards
county ,asylums, until the several Glasses
to which attention is called in the above extracts.
are separated and proper provisions made for
each, and this can only be done by State aid.
By the erection of our new asy1ums for the in
sane we shall soon have the meanseo of aceommo-
dating properly all the insane that now crowd
the various county houses, and we trust that
proper warehouses will he provided. Under the
State law enacted in 1879, there remain steps
to be taken for the accommodation of the sick
citizens of the State. Such can only be done by
the establishment by State aid of hospitals
proper, for while aSylums are for the poor as
homes, hospitals are for the sick. AS Ito the
sanitary conditions of county lasylums, such,
in common with other sanitary surround
ings, should be attended to by the 'sev-
eral boards of health. / append the
following resolution that has been
adopted by several county medical societies of
the State, to. show that this matter is becoming
well understood among the thoughtful portion
of the medical profession. / trust that the
people generally will have the same views.
Resolved, That believing it to be to the interest
of 1.-THE sick poor of Indiana that they should be pro
vided with accommodations for treatment other than
that furnished at the various county asylums, we are
IN favor of one or more hospitals being established
and furnished by the State as recommended, where
such patients can secure proper attention and treat
ment, and where physicians can send suitable patients
for temporary accommodations, and we recommend
that bill having for its object the establishment Of