The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-23
THE COOK COUNTY ASYLUM.
Former Practitioner There Tells
Horrible Tale

CHICAGO, Ill. May %. In the inquiry
MS to the state Of affairs at the Cook County
Insane Asylum today, Dr. Clevinger, for
merly member Of the medical staff there,
testified that Ii was impossible for a repu-
table practitioner or attendant 10 stay
there. The most disreputable ones were
the ones TO stay because they devoted
more time TO intrigue. The disreputable
ones practiced system OF elimination of
the better element by either physical vio-
lencc or other means. ain 1856" said he,
"the physicians who secured bodies at the
asylum for dissection, told me that the
bodies were so covered with yermin that
they had TO be scorched before being nut
on the dissecting table. Once in 1885 |
heard screams, andrunning from my office
found two attendants standing over pa
tent named Ilertzburg, who was bleeding
proiuscly. j knew there was no use in
making any complaint rs the attendants
were supported by John Cummings i'm.
tluence on the county board. soon after
they rebelled and refused to obey my or
dcrs. They sccretcd bodies on which |
desired iohold pos-mortem examinations,
and / could not get them for two Or three
days after they were buried.
81 published statement, and the fol-
lowing night one OF the attendants called
me vile name, and few moments later
shot was fired down stairs. aud a bullet
crashed through the floor and lodged in
my bookcase"
Soon after this the doctor resigned.
what is the matter with the institu.
ton now?' was asked
at is under the influence OF boodlers.
IL is in u bad place, on unsalubrious
ground. There should be new buildings
for male as well MS female patients. No
building should have more than 500 pa.
iienis because 1t is impossible for one man
10 oversee more. Then the county board
should be knocked out and the asylum
put into the hands OF a State commission"
The doctor told how boodorism had
prevented investigation.
There has been repeated testimony
that lice abounded In the wards, and DR..
Roller, an assistant physician, found mag.
gois in the wounds OF patients Ia 1884.
Bedbugs would torture patients under
their jackets, and rats would muiilato the
bodies OF those who had died unattended
during the night. Male attendants were
usually appointed by tho Commissioners
for their hghtin; abilities ut the polls la
iraudulently carrying elections, and
seemed to want TO keep in practice at the
expense OF the insane. They often openly
delcd the Superintendent, and when
threatened with dismissal, reminded the
Official that he had not sufficient political
influence. The majority OF the attendants
being OF this low character, the efforts Of |
those who were well.dsposcd were dis |
couragod.
"Braws, drunkenness, oaths, slamming |
Of doors, inccssant alarms, Matchmaking, |
bluslcr, pistol shooting, intrigues, iumor. |
atty, stealing, neglect Of duty on part OF |
subordinaics, excrted n very depressing |
influence upon the decent officials there, |
and caused them 10 waste much OF their /
energies IN keeping out Of rows. There
were siealings In the clothing In various
ways, and even the rags and bones were 4
sold Tor the benefit OF the ones who had /
control OF such oilal. The County Board
financial reports were falshcd and con.
fused In a variety OF WAYS; often the OK
preston general expenses would cover
81 900 or more OF unaccounted for bills.
and at one time some $50, 600 was included
In lump In some such item 20 the perfect
satisfaction OF the commissioners. To add
10 the turmoil, while the perfectly new
boilers were being destroyed in the engine.
room TO enable moro .stealings, and the
patients were suffering Tor want Of heat,
the commissioners would interfere with
the classification OF the insane by ordering
violent oascs, In which they happened TO
have an interest, 10 be placed upon the
wards assigned TO quiet and conyalescing
patients, aud otherwise interfere with the
proper treatment Of the insane. Every.
thing was done 20 make an apparent show
ing OF external cleanliness, but the white
washing and the flowers and weil-kept
lawn constituted the place but whiiened
sepulcher."