Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-30

The third days meeting Of the Association Of
Superintendent Of American Institutions for
the Insane was held IN the big banquet room Of
the Arlington this morning. The attendance
was quite large and the proceedings Of the
session were followed with the closest attention.
The large plate glass mirror in the rear Of Presi-
dent Clarks table was almost totally hidden from
view this morning by q number Of charts
tabulated with long names, and three huge
drawings Of skulls grinned merrily at the
audience. A small table was covered with .
couple Of skulls. gelatine molds, plaster casts
Of teeths and jaws and several rather compli-
Gated looking instruments. These were all IL
Illustrations to be used in connection with the
lecture later on by Or. Claiming on the sub
ject OF cranisl measurements
WASHINGTON TIE PLACE FOR FUTURE nEKrrScs.
DR.. Palmer Of Kalamazoo. from the commit
tee on time and place of holding the next meet
ing. reported in favor Of Washington. He said
that the merits Of West Point and Atlanta had
been discussed, but that Washington seemed
the best OF all cities for convention purposes.
The report was adopted, large majority pre-
ferring the capital, though there was fair
sized minority that objected TO holding the
meetings in the same place for two years In
succession. The 2sth OF April was suggested
Washington next spring. The second Tuesday
In May was also discussed and the whole matter
was referred back TO the committee for final
action and report
DIR. CowLEs' INTERESTING PAPER
>"The Advancement Of the Work Of the Asso-
citation and the Advantages Of Better Organi-
cation" was the subject Of discussion that
was opened by DR.. Cowles. He read an inter
esting paper on the progress Of the study OF
| psychiatry during the past half century and re-
ferred at some length TO the history Of the as
ISOLATION, starting out as il did with thirteen
members and name that consisted OF seven
| teen words. This was afterward reduced to
eleven words. but two less than the number OF
the original members No one would deny
that the association has a good name even II
some OF the members do have to stop and think
pretty carefully how to write it. DIR. Cowles
| then went on to formulate number OF
generally expressed views of the members OF
| the association as to what Improvements
might be made and also the methods by which
these might be brought about. II one ques-
| toned the successful history of the association
it was only necessary for him to study
the list Of the members. Starting with
thirteen, il now contains 1872 superintendents Of
public and Incorporated institutions for the
insane, 10 former superintendent of such In
situations, Is superintendents of private hospi
tails and l02 assistant physicians Of five or more
| years experience.
The discussion was also participated in by
DIR. Chaplin, who seconded DIR. Cowles sugges
ton of the appointment Of a council for tht
purpose of laying out certain lines Of work fol
| the association.
WASHINGTON THE HOME OF SCIENCE.
DR.. Bryce said that what was wanted was al
/, organization that would see to it that the pro
ceedings of the association might be published
in per: lament form, and he also wanted q con
stitution and bylaws for the association and I
more severe code for admission OF members
He wanted the sssea;efion p have permanent
home, building and library, ED no ,olac'
could be more suitable for such purPSed Nal
this city, washington, the seat Of the g6veR9
ment and the home of science"
| DIR. Hurd thought that the time has nov
come when superintendents OF insane hospital
should not be superintendent in name only
but should be men foremost in psychologists
research. Membership in the association
should be restricted TO such men and not lef
| open to all sorts of men who might be elected
to all sorts Of institutions in any sort OF way
In many states political questions play lead
ing part in the appointment of heads OF insans
asylums, to the sad detriment of the welfare Of
| the institutions themselves.
DR.. Stearns offered a resolution providing
for the appointment by the president of com
| mittee Of thirteen who should present, plar
for the reorganization of the association. .nt
also to take into consideration the matter Of
the eligibility to membership.