New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-17
THE CARE OF EPILEPTICS.
WFLLKNoWN NEUROLOGISTS ADVISE coll
ONIZATICN.
SOME OF THEM THINK THE STATE SHOULD
PROVIDE sPr,INL INSTITUTIONS FOR
THE PATIENTS.


PROVIDE. spr,INi. INSTITUTIONS FOR
THE PATIENTS.
At the annual meeting Of the American Neurological
Association, recently held AT the New NorK A'a''"S
Of Medicine a -cfc, Of papers read advocating
a scheme which ha, already enlisted considerable AZ
tentlon. Following the diges'S OF OPINION oy
some OF the lending neurologst on the subject OF inc
proposed colonization 81 cplepiios:
DR. Henry r. stedman. Of Boston, characterized
cpcptics rs the most neglected class Of sufferers from
disease and deplorcd the fact that 50 much a'eht"
had been pa,i b. the pathology and medical treatment
and 50 little 10 their and protection Tho anchor
alton by proper medical supervision In surroundings
where the patents lives could he regulated thcir
capabilities In the way OF employment developed, Ola
not seem To attract the atcnttn II should That inns
was practicable he said. ties colonies for epueptcs IN
other countries. particularly In Germany hah SHOWN
to BE- an assured The dangers Of these patients
from exposure and accidents ~ various KINDS was
extremely great while the os;raclsm OF many Of
them from ordinary intercourse with their fcows
nom the schools places o. worship and amusement ana
above adj, the fact that they were debarreh rom
obtaining employ on account 81 tho mnlady' maae
riidr lot particularly hari The depnrAbl" con
dluon OF these unfortunate people In mmhoust'
where there were large numbers In most OF the
STATES could not be too severely characterized The
usual practice Of caring for those patients with the
insane in maatic asylums, he thought, WAS great
Disadvantage to both classes The cpiepccs "er" not
legitimate recipients OF such care, besides preventing
the insane from receiving the fun amount OF att"n
ton they should rightly have, while the cplcIdo'
were deprived Of h.lthiul employment DR.. St1
man also gave short pcount, illustrated by charts
and views Of the famous cpcpdc colonies nj
Belofeld In Germany. which d. had recently visited.
II was b. be hopei that steps might be- taken IN
this country 10 establish similar institutions. II
would not be wise TO associate tho violent cases Of
epilepsy with thdSe Of tip mdcr classes. Buildings
could. however. be provided In the colony where the
severe cases could nc cared for. II woufi not b"
expodicnt take the mild cases nom the asylums
and leave the worst cases there.
DR.. Bullard said that in Massachusetts steps Ind al
ready taken n further the establishment Of suitable
Institutions for the care u epllcptics. bill had been
prepared by special committee and presented TO the
proper authorities. 1t hoped and believed that
next year the bill would be- passed and the money
Forthcoming to secure the end in view.
DR.. Frederick Peterson. who h identified rs tho
pioneer Of the present movement in this state. urged
the necessity for energetic support Of the measure
already taken, and said that If hopes were realized,
10000 cpcptcs would have opportunity for in
structon and Of leading useful lives
DR.. T.. ID. Fisher Of this city. said he hoped The
movement would meet with every success lie did
not know a more helpless. hopeless set Of human
beings than cpilepIics fed bromdcs and without
occupation. Treatment did little good. What they
needed was opportunity for work. DR.. u. a. Tomln
son said there was no unsatisfactory class Of
patients I'm institutions for the insane than the cpcp
tics Not Of these institutions suitably
equipped to care for them. II they were associated
with the violent and demcned their lives were made
still more uncomfortable. Unless themselves de
mencd, the cplcptics were generally alive to their
condition and surroundings. and II from them that
complaints generally came. II Necessary that
they should receive special attention If separate
treatment, occupation and proper diet could be pro
vided, cpilcpucs would doubtless lead more comfort
able, and IN many cases. really useful lives
DR.. Il. Sachs, OF York. was In favor u pro
vision by the state for those people, but thought thai
much must BE- done by private help. There was a
"wcltodO' class among epleptics, most difficult TO
opportunity for proper education II seemed to the
speaker that for these there should be provided
private Institutions where ii would bc made object
to give distinct educational advantages.
The president, DR.. l.. G. Dana, Of New York, said
he had made nves cations, and did not believe
that there should be any state provision for epcptcs
at least at present. There was now an enormous
number OF defective institutions under political in
1uence. While the institutions for which Dr. stedman
pleaded were undoubtedly needed, Efforts should be
port. The president thought that direct opinion on
The subject by the association might have weight with
the Legislature and hoped that some such expression
would Be formulated. The following resolution was on
motion Of DR.. Stedman. then adopted:
1t is the unanimous sense Of the American Neuro-
logical Association that the proper of the epeptlc
class long delayed be urged upon the public upon
State authorities and especially upon all Interested in
may BIO relieved from asylms' and amshouses and
may receive the required care In such separate estab
lslments as their deplorabe situation demands
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