Arizona silver belt., 1893-05-20
The Pho

The Pho. m q late issue, raises the ques, having an expert On insanity appointed to the position of Superintendent of the Insane Asy- lum. While recognizing the fact that having an expert as superintendent would probably be conducive to the welfare of the poor uniortunates incar- cerated in the asylum, we do not be- lieve it possible to procure the article desired, at the present emoluments per iaining to tho office And still further there is decided paucity of selection in this particular branch of medical science, as there are but few men in the URited States who are entitled to be called experts on insanity, and those @hoso qualifications are such as to fill the bill are certainly too much m de- mand in the large cities of our land to leave fortune and fame behind them to seek the modest position of superintsn- don't of our Territorial asylum.
 We believe there are to-day in Ari- zons several we'll qualified physicians who would gladly accept the position, aad who would unquestionably fill the office satisfactorily to the patients, and reflect credit upon themselves in the general care and management of the asylum, physicians whose qualifications are such as would commend them for like positions in ahy of the older States or Territories. Too much circum- spection in the selection of a person having all the necessary qualifications to satisfactorily fill tho position can not be observed upon the part of the Governor. Haste, above all things, should be avoided, as human life is at stake.
 The proper treatment of the insane Is based on the general principle under lying the medical science Tho details of treatment probably vary iR indiyid- ual cases, but the general line to be pursued is pretty much the same, Adopt all means to bring the patient infc a fine physical condition; correct all errors of secretion and excrehon; see that the patient is ia good bodily health, and then you have gone a great distance toward the ultimate cure of the case A cardiHai principle is to remove the patient from the old sur roundings, which, taken with fresh air, abundance of good food, properly pre- pared light employment and plenty oi amusement, offers the best hope of ul, timat0 recovery. We need not be med. ical mea to knew that there is not . single remedy in the entire pharmaco pea that eaR relieve Q mind diseased "nor rage out the written troubles o the brain.
 We have entertained the hope tha Arizona wonld escape the "expert con tagion" that has infected the East to s, great an extent lately, but we note witl sorrow the premonitory symptoms O inc craze in the article written by tb, Phoenix Herald.
 We need as superintendent of tn asylum man of broad mind and com prehensive ideas; one who will readIl, recognize the relations that each of tn vital organs bears to the wholo; one wh will be quick to perceive the efrsct single diseased organ will have oR th entire organism, and not one who vii treat patient as though he simply rep rssentgR liger5 brain or a kidney. maa who is firm, just and humane kindly in manner, cheerful in his pres enco, and firm of purpose; one wh will bring intelligent ideas to the oflic and will have the push and energy t put the ideas into execution, and wi study the methods of like institution elsewhere and adopt such lines ( trsatrent as offer the greatest chance of recovery for the cases under h charge.
 We have such men in the Territory and feel confident the Governor wi finally select oft of this description and confer a blessing on ths DOC beings who are so unfortunate as to l without wit or reason.