Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-02-14
A arRoNe kNpoRssmEyr.
Consideration OF Stats vss County
kus,tie Hospital.


INSANE Hospital.
Editor Gazette: At an informal meet
ing Of the physicians of the State who
were present on the occasion Of the
visit, last week, Of tho Legislature to the
county almshouse, the undersigned were
requested to prepare paper embodying
thsir Vows in regard TO the Importance
Of State hospital for the insane.
The movement, which has within the
last two years shown itself especially in
our Legislature on this subject, liz one
which appeals to the humane feelings of
every citizen. II Is q matter which should
long ago have been acted upon by Cur
Legislature. 1t was agitated 40 years
ago, and q committee made favorable
report to the General ASSEMBLY, but it
went no further. 1t is devoutly hoped
that such may not be the result at this
time.
The notion that insanity is incursble,
and that the unfortunate subjects of that
disease should bs treated like wild beasts,
even chaioad 10 the walls OF their dismal
calls, has been exploded for fifty years.
In inteliigentiy managed hospitals for
the ineane, ''ths means of bodily restraint,
tranquillizing chairs, straps, NUTS, wrist
bands, mittsns and othsr appliances for
the confinement of the body and limbs"
and especially the chains which were
riyeted around the ankles and to the floor,
have been entirely dispensed with; and
sonoe Of the most violent cases while thus
restrained, have become calm and
eventually recovered by kind, aud CON-
hdinQ treatment.
II was under such conditions of re-
straint as these that DIR. Pinel OF Paris
found patient in one Of his wards in y
large hospital, mass OF great strength,
and Of demoniacal disposition, whom no
one dared to approach, hut VINO, by this
physicians kind treatment IVES restored
| to soundnes8 and became ever afterwards
| the devoted attendant of his ssvios.
A very similar case was found, years ago,
in the old New Castle county slmBnouse,
by DR.. Henry Gibbons, chained to the
floor, and cursing with dreadful oaths
every one who came near him. BY kind
naes he was no far restored that no was
allowed the liberty of the premises, and
faithfully fulfilled his promises to his
physician.
How can any one expect improvement
or anything else than deep despair OF
wild violenes in cases shut up frnra the
cheering influences of the SUI and the
reviving atmosphere In gloomy foul cells,
with no one to kindly and eynpathei-
cally wait upon them and soothe them by
words and pleasing objects.
Such as above alluded to is the treat
ment now used in our insane hospitals,
but 1t cannot be carried out in our
county alp1ahouses. An institltion,
with comfortable chambers. lasga BIT.
ting rooms, furnished with instru
ments of music, books, simple gkmes
and employmenta and especially trained
attendants, and skilled physioians, Is
necessary for the treatment OF this class
of diseases, and il must be remembered
that there ia no class of diseases which
requires more intelligent and juiiciou'
management than the disesses Of the
brain. 1t might be mentioned as {
further illustration Of the care required
in the treatment OF these persons, that
the man who was released from his prison
cell in the New Castle county almshouai
Was one day rudely treated by an inmate
and having resented it, was again con
signed to his cell, his kind physician
DR.. Gibbons, being no longer in charge
and whether ne was ever again restored
to his liberty, do not know.
Inasmuch then az insanity requires
su'h prudent care, in order to sscompiiss
any prospect OF cure, and IS 1t cannot bt
administered except by the State, it be
cones q serious question whether thes'
unto,tunatel shall be compelled to Ian
RRish MI their lives in hopeless wrstched
, ness or whether 1t is not tho duty OF the
State TO provide for sueh attention as hal
been spoken OF eboye; for oven IL 1t were
only to lift then, human beings es they
are, from their asd state to one of physi
cal comfort. this Of itself would bs Oh
oct Of humanity which should carry
with it permanent satisfaction to the
heart of every ono whO has the powor,
and exercises 1t, to contribute TO this
end. II ia not forgotten in these ra
yAarks, that the State has already done
something for the relief OF her insane
but large puH!ber have been left with
OUT provision, and others have been sem
out of the State at sidsrab'e expense
and othern still have been kept confined
in their hom'g for want OF means to plec,
them in we'll conducted hospitals, an
still could not subject them to the treat
mont, or whpt OF care in cur connty aims
houses.
AZ to the current expenses of such OF
insii;utiop, it is probable tnSt in the lons
run il would COST no mors than the ag
pregate Of this expense NOW incurred by
the counties; for conaidsrahle numSs
OF the patients would be restored, in4ieAt
of bEing u life burden upon the CON
munty.
II msy be reasonably hoped that the
Legislature at its present session, snt
while the minds Of its members are Ina
pressed with its Importance, will pNssan 40
empowering committee to execute what
ever il necessary to establish auGh an in
stItatiou az Is necessary for tho care and
treatment If the inaane Of oar State, and
thus lit from rs the stigma of neglect o.
this helpless portion Ut our people.
Ii gives us pleasure 10 allad- to tn
impressive appeal OF Governor Biges u
the occasion OF the visit Of the Legisla
tura TO the New Cesile county tltana de
partment, on behalf Of this measure, and
to tue sssursnGu thus given tina. its meet!
his hearty concurrence.
L P. rusH,
o. H. RICHARDS,
NATHAN PRATT.
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