New-York tribune., 1885-03-06
CARING FOR THE INSANE.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STATE BOARD OF
CHARIrIRs.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STATE BOARD OF
CHARITIES.
TO the Ednor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Nv attention has been calledtO an article
entitled for the Chronic insane and to an ed
torial comment thercupon both OF which appeared III
your issue February 20. The impression conveyed
that the state Board Charities favors the construc
ton of an additional hospital for the chronic insane at
Poughkeepse.
In Its report transmitted TO the Legislature on January
o. 1889 the Board recommended appropriation for
certain plumbing and other repairs to Hudson River
State Hospital Poughkeepsie, and this is the only
recent acou which tie Board has taken in relation to
this hospital
The extracts given in your paper are very Important
n view Of the fact that a bill is now before the
Legislature asking for large appropriation Tor an addi-
ton to the Hudson River state Hospital at Ponghkeepsie
which, 1t Will be remembered, receives only acute cases
For this reason It seems necessary that you should
print the whole Of the section Of the report from which
your quotation Is made. II Is as follows:
FURTHER STATE PROVISION FOR THE INSANE.
The returns as show that the State In
stutions for the insane. both acnte and chronic have
pressing demand for additional accommodations for this
class: The county institutions having the enstony OF
the chronic insane only all nearly fu ana there are
also considerable numbers OF insane In the county poor
exist. The question therefore presses ITSELF what
further provision shall be made by the state Tor It's In
sane and how can this be best aud readily accomp
Ushed In view OF the extended requirements Of this
class believe tnat any expenditures for this purpose
shou listed to secure shelter for the great
est numbers practicable consistent Win their proper
care, and With oue regard to economy.
The State hospitals FOR the acute insane III appears
have accommodations for about 100 patients. The
present general crowded condition of these Institutions
as has been SHOWN due largely to the accumulation in
chronic insane owing To the lack OF accOnmo-
In the sylum for this class rather than to
These hospitals possess the requisite ap
pliances the and successful treatment Oh the
acute insane and, II relieved Of the custody Of the
chronic cases burdening their wards their accom-
mepts OF the insane for some time to come. Ihe
plans OF these hospitals were projected upon an ex-
tended SCALE and attempt to enlarge them 10 meet
needs OF the insane, would necessarily
be OF slow process and attended with large expenditures
In this view IL would seem Ia be wise pubic policy 10
relieve the existing pressing needs for this class In other
these hospitals until the requirements OF the state for its
acute insane shall warrant their enargement or CON-
peton and then If practicable, upon modified ana more
economical plans
Following this the board recommended an extension
OF the Bnghamtonl5tate Asylum for the Chronic In
sane erection OF plafn inexpensive detached build
ngs the transfer to them of the chronic insane now
In the State Hospitals" upon plans and estimates sub
mitted to them. page %. Ann. RepD
Tho Board also approved plans and estimates for
single story detached building for certain class Of
cases intended accommodate 200 patients at the
Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane
These buildings when erected will for the present
least by removal IT, them of chronic eases now IN the
acute asylums, relieve an! oyercrowding III these anu
avoid necessity OF further large state eXpenui
lures for OF the acute insane.
The above correct statement OF the action OF the
State Board OF Charities important pubic matter.
and therefore beg the OF its insertion IN your
columns. WILLIAM K. STEWART,
Commissioner
No. 54 wiHiam-st, He,c- York. March 3, 1885.