The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-22
THE LAST CHANCE L0uNGER.

DR.. g, II. MnseigbrOd who has been In
Helena for several weeks past Watching the
progress of his claims against the state, ia
In charge Of an institution that should bet
pride To any commonwealth. Other asy-
lums m eastern states have more imposing
and ~costlier buildings and more inmates
hut none can show more remarkable success
in the way Of treAtment. IL will doubtless
surprise many Of the Lounger's readers to
learn that but ons asylum In America re-
cords q larger percentage Of cured patients.
This il an institution near Philadelphia.
The average Of cures al Warm Springs IL
something over fifty per cent II you ask
the doctor to account for this he will tell
you patience and kind treatment"
During a recent visit to his h0spitable
nome the doctor told Of a case to illustrate
his methods. A few years ago a workman
in a Butte mine WAS struck on the head by
a falling timber. He was taken out alive
and nursed back TO health but his mind was
gone. He was not u raving maniac but =
living corpse. His eyes closed and he
lay for several weeks without lisping a
sound or moving a muscle. Then he was
taken to Warm Springs and placed in the
asylum. His breathing was the only sign
of life. He Was placed on a bed and there
he remained with no change Of condition
for three long years Of waiting. He was
carefully nourished by artificial methods
and cared for n the tenderest manner. for
there was only one way to bring his mind
back to life. After daily visits during all
this time the doctor dropped in one day
and found the mans eyes open for the first
time since the injury. There was NO look
of recognition, but the open eyes were sufi-
cient encouragement The next day the
patient turned his head and nodded when
the doctor came. The same treatment was
continued, the use of the muscles came
back and with this tho power Of speech.
In a few weeks the man had
fully recovered and left the
place As we'll us ever after the long siege and
is now in business in Chicago. Ih falling
timber had produced a CLOTHING of blood on
the brain and made it rs good as ipanimate.
1t was the weary waiting for this clot to be
worn way by degrees that kept the man
there. / can easily imagine the joy swell
ing III the DOCTORS heart when he saw the
open eyes that had been closed for three
years.
The minister who visits Warm Springs in
q spirit of curiosity will go away knowing
quite as much about the insane AZ before.
The doctor will not have a religious enthu-
siast about the place for religion has brought
more patients to his place than any other
cause with one or two exceptions. The
patients are divided into classes and kept in
seperate departments and are visited only
49, .tnA.,n, a,.1 -h.a.rc Tho cu~.Anr.,
conditions are absolutely perfect.
Under the mound Of a former
geyser, which stood alone on q
desolate prairie nineteen years ago flow life
giving water from sixteen thermal springs
ranging in temperature. The waters, which
contain valuable medicinal properties, are
carried into every building and are used
daily by the patients. All forms Of sani-
tary treatment are conducted with the
greatest care. The location of the place is
sufficiently charming to produce an agree
able effect on e. diseased mind. Along on
either side of a driveway lined with tall
trees is a rolling avn of grass. Near the
railway is a picnic ground and beyond ia
the farm adjoining which are large vege-
table gardens. The surrounding country
in summer is like a landscape painting.
Between lines of rugged mountains is a val
ley smiling with the results of honest toll.
Curling in the all nine miles away is a thin
line Of smoke from the great Anaconda
works.
A word about the gentleman who is in
charge. | nearly said old gentleman, but
he is far from DID, Seventy-six years rest
aQ !iohtlv an hiu Irn~ 90 orsrua hInoscpn,
on a bride. When l see him l am tempted
to believe that the waters of the warm
springs, like those of the tabled spring of
Ponce De Leon bring returning youth to
those who enjoy their Injuries. At
7G years DIR. M~ussigbrod is rs active physi-
cally as most men of half his age. Neither
bas age dulled the %quickness nor dimmed
the variety Of his mind. He is in all res
poets one of the most interesting men |
ever knew. Besides possessing the execu-
tive ability necessary for the admirable
management of the institution of which he
is Justly proud, he has many charming So
cial qualities. In conversation he is de-
lightfully interesting, for he has
a mind stored with information
On many subjects and can tell
a story with the ease and pleasantly of the
best reconteur. I am told by Helenaites
that he plays the sharpest game Of whist in
Montana. and with equal versatility he can
sit down at a piano and render a Wagner
symphony or play a skilltul game of bill
iards. He has always maintained the best
of health through following the simple in
struction given to his patients. Next sum-
mer he will visit Europe and his legion of
friends expect to see him return even
younger than now.
Captain Mills, like many of us, tinds it
difficult to remember the names OF people
whose faces are well known. As all of us
have found out, this forgetfulness is at
times extremely embarrassing. 1t is par
ticularly SO to business men and poll
t%icians. The captain has two meth
DDS when ne finds it necessary
to write a name. He will ask for the
initials and if he does not get the cue in
this way he will ask how the last name il
spelled. In connection with this he tells
how the system once failed. One time n
man whose face was we'll known dropped
in the office of the New Northwest to pay
his subscription. The captain tried to
think but the name would not come so he
innocentlv enquired for the initials. IN.
/ 4 !. 81 lLsI