St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-04
INSANE, ClsIrrINAas AND POOR
Considered by the state BOARD ei
Corrections and Charities.

AT the regular quarterly neeUing OF the
state board of corrections and charities held
yesterday the full board was present. except
Gov. Hubbard, as follows: d. G. Bell, G. Ii.
Berry. W. NJ. Campbell, Dr.. G. Vivian and
DR.. NJ. MEG. Dana, who presided in the
absence of Gov. Hubbard The committee
ON state reform school submitted its report
on the expense and methods of manage
ment of that institution, which was adopted.
The secretary was instructed to submit the
report to the governor and to furnish copy
Of 1t to the board of managers of the reform
school. Dir. ID. G. Bell submitted report
Of visits to public institutions in Eastern
states, including several refOrmatOries. The
secretary submitted circular addressed to
county officials on the care of insane per-
SONS previous to commitment. 1t was ap-
proved, and will be distributed to all sher-
ifs.
THE CIRCULAR
makes ten suggestions of Importance, as fol-
lows:
Frst-An insane person is a sick person and
should receive every attention and care in
the power of the officer.
SecCnd-People do not change their nature
in becoming insane, and wherever possible
should be treated as reasonable beings.
Thrd-HarShneSS is never necessary and
physical force only occasionally. The use of
hand-cutfs. leg-irons, chains and ropes is I'M
necessary severity. For severe cases the fol-
lowing articles are recommended for use: A
sOle-leather mutf to be used where the patient
tears his clothing; belt with wristlets to be
used to prevent persons from striking; one
or two canvas jackets, buttOning behind, and
with sleeves six or eight inches longer than
the arms, so that they may be fastened to-
gather behind.
Fourth-Do not be afraid of an insane per-
son. They are usually harmless and the
above-named apparatus is usually sufficient
for protection. The usual practice of con-
filming patients in jail pending examination is
without express warrant by law. but may be
necessary. There is no excuse for treating
an insane person like criminal. In many
cases the jail is not Il suitable place in which
to confine insane persons.
Fifth--In all eases of excitement or pros
tratOn, q physician should be called.
nSiXth-Do not tell lies to insane people
to deceive them. 1t is cowardly and injuri-
Gus. When patient is to be taken TO the
hospital do not tell him he is going to the no.
tel or Il summer resort. Tell him he is to be
treated for his own benefit and recovery.
Seventh-Take special care of insane people
on entering and leaving buildings, vehicles or
cars. They often suffer serious injuries that
might have been avoided by care.
Eighth-The greatest care should be exer-
cised in dealing with women. No indignity
should be offered nor any violation of their
sense of propriety. A female attendant
should. if possible, always accompany them
when travelling. Insane women when tray
cling with male guardians often endure
great hardshipS. Women from the country,
often not acquainted with the eonveniences
to be found in hotels and cars, often suffer
unnecessarily on this account.
Ninth-When visiting hospitals make it q
point TO learn how they treat newcomers
for information.
THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE.
DR.. Dana, for the committee on the ma
tiOnal conference of corrections and chart
ties, which meets in st. Paul next summer,
recommended that the conference convene
on Thursday, July Is, 1886, to continue
until July 81. He recommended the APP
pontment of a general committee of sew
enty-tve memberS-ffteen from st. Paul.
fifteen from Minneapolis and forty-tive from
the state at large-to take charge of the az
rangements as distinguished from a local
executive committee to consist OF five mem
bers. who would do the detail work. The
report was accepted and the committee con-
tinued. The secretary presented his quar-
terly report, which was approved and
ordered filed.
The committee on plans and buildings and
the secretary were authorized to prepare
and publish a pamphlet containing plans for
jails and municipal loek-ups and state re-
form schools.
THE sECRETARY's REPORT.
The report of Secretary Hart is quite
voluminous, containing brief accounts of
sixty-one visits to public institutions, many
of which were in other states. The state
public school site at 0watonna. in process
OF construction, he commends for its arrange
ments and location. The following are
s'ime of the comments on various county
institutions:
The second insane hospital is rapidly near
iHg the limits Ct its capacity. 1t now
has $50 patients and cannot properly accomo-
date more than 500. Great Inconvenience is