The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-01-16

mands upon it, having within its walls
more than can be comfortably cared for.
1t is no longer question that much good
can be effected in checking criminal i'm
pulses by means of reformatory methods,
and to that end provisions should be made
to so enlarge the present buildings as to
meet the requirements arising from the IN
creased number of inmates.
Hospitals for the Insane.
A most careful and painstaking inquiry
| into matters pertaining to hospitals for
| the insane in this and other states has
convinced me that we may make radical
improvements in methods of construction
and management All that should be
done cannot be accomplished at once, but
beginning may be made upon some well
considered plan that would eventually
place our state, in this particular, abreast
with the times, and cause her institutions
of this character to be recognized as en-
bodying the best results of modern thought.
In dealing with this subject we should not
forget that the outcome affects the only
class within our borders unable to makea
demand or enter protest, and that for
this reason our obligations to them are OF
the most sacred character. Nor should we
fail to remember that these helpless wards
of the state are the fathers, mothers, sis
tiers and brothers of our friends and neigh
bors
offer for your consideration the follow
ing suggestions, all important in any plan
that has for its object the elevation of the
standard of excellence of our hospitals for
the insane, and some of which, in my judg-
ment, may and should receive your imme-
date and careful attention.
First-The corps of physicians should be
so increased as to provide one for each 100
patients. The practice of placing 900 to
1000 patients under the care of, say, four
physicians, amounts, practically, to a
herding of the insane, and, as it is contem-
plated upon the part of the state to cure,
as well as to care for the inmates, one of
the purposes for which the asylums are
provided is in large measure frustrated.
Second-No physician should receive an
appointment at an asylum until he has
successfully passed thorough examina-
tiOn before the lunacy commission, to test
his knowledge of mental and nervous dis
eases, and his general fitness for the posi-
ton.
Third-A training school for attendants
should be established, and course of lee
lures and practical instruction in the care
of the insane provided. Before attendants
are accepted permanently as employees of
an asylum they should be required to grad
uate from such training school There
should be one attendant, at least, for every
ten patients, and graded system of pro-
motion, all examinations being competi-
| tive
Fourth-All the asylums should be fur
nished with a mortuary room, fully
equipped.
Fifth--It is no longer matter for doubt
that in the large majority OF cases i'm
proved mental condition results from Civ
ing employment to the insane Upon this
subject an eminent authority says: 1.-THE
real value of occupation as a remedial
agent in the treatment of insanity has not
been appreciated until a comparatively re-
cent date. In tracing the influence of oc-
cupation We are compelled to note its four
fold effect:
l. In the improvement of the general
health and mental vigor of the patient.
2. In arresting tendencies to dementia.
3. In the reduction of violence and dis
turbances in the refractory wards.
f. In the decrease of mechanical re-
straint.
There should be a separate industrial
building, and the occupation of the patient
should be adapted, so far as practicable
to his previous life and habits
Sixth-Although it is not practicable at
this time to make separate provision for
the class known to the medical fraternity
as the criminal insane, it is, in my judg-
ment, desirable that it should be done
! whenever the necessary appropriation
may be properly asked for. 1t is mani
testify wrong to compel insane people of or
binary refinement and of responsibility to
associate with insane murderers, criminals
and disreputable characters. How often
sive to the mildly and harmless insane-to
the mothers, wives and sisters-in their
lucid intervals, must be this enforced asso-
citation Experience has shown that in.
sanity simply intensifies criminal propen-
sites, and it is a fact that the non-criminal
insane do not combine for any purpose,
while the criminal insane are constantly
scheming and attempting escape, thus
necessitating greater precautions and a
larger number of attendants.
| / would recommend that greater super
visory powers be vested in the lunacy COM
mission, and that it be charged with fur
ther responsibility in the commitment and
discharge of patients. Some of the provis-
! ions of the law in force in the State of New
! York, covering the whole matter, and
which in operation is giving eminent salts
faction, is well worthy your consideration
Funding of Minnesota Railroad Adjust
ment Bonds.
In July next the state may avail itself OF
the privilege, if it so elects, of paying and
retiring the 1-2 per cent. Minnesota rail
road adjustment bonds. The amount out
standing at this time is So, 965 600 OF this
sum all are held by the various trust
J funds of the state, save 81 $500 OF this
latter amount certain portion may be
absorbed by the cash available in the in
ternal improvement fund.- leaving about
81, 100000 of bonds, which may be allowed
to run at the present rate of 4 1-2 per cent.
or funded into bond bearing lower in
terest charge. | would suggest that a
funding bill be prepared permitting the
proper officers to take up the bonds when
the option may be availed of, in case any
saving can be effected for the state Should
the condition of the money market war.
rant, think bond bearing a rate as low
as l-2 per cent. per annum could be sold
at par. 1t would be WELL also, to submit a
constitutional amendment at the next gen
eral election, authorizing the trustees OF
| of the internal land imDrOvemaDt fund tn