New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-28
MANY CHARGES SUSTAINED.
THE TERRIBLE CONDITION OF THE
PAUPER INSANE IN CITY ASYLUMS.
CONTROL or THE INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE
TRANSFERRED TO THE STATE. THE LuNAcf
COMMISSION sAYs-TIE FEARFrL OVER

CONTROL or THE INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE
TRANSFERRED TO THE STATE. THE LUNACY
COMMISSION sAYs-THE FEARFUL OVER
CRowpING or THE PATIENTS
| Mayor Gllroy yesterday received from Dr.. Carlos
| F. Macdonald president: Goodwin Brown and
Henry A. Reeves composing the State Commission
| In Lunacy, their report Of the inquiry made by
| them in;o the conduct and management Of the
New-York City Asylums for the Insane The in
qulry grew OF; of tho publication OF certain charges
against the administration Of the institutions 10:
the insane under tho charge of the Commissioners
O. Charities and Correction Of this city, and was
undertaken at Mayor Gilroy's request, dated May
Il. 1894
The charges against the Commissioners, which
were divided into separate accusations. sixteen in
number were for the most part sustained by the
report. These charges wer"
That the Commissioners OF Charities and Cor
rection negligent Of their duties and respoh
sibtes and had in certain respects ish0feh ne, ne
same: also that they had diverted moneys appro-
prlated for the erection ana repair OF asyium
buildings to other purposes. and had failed to en-
force the fulfilment 81 contracts: an
That the medica. officers were incompetent, ineii-
That the nurses or attendants were incompetent
neglectfui brutal to patients and insufficient IN
That the food supplies were insufficient in quaH-
tty quality and variety ard that the same were
That the clothing. bsddin9 and furniture supplied
to the patients were in insufficient quantity and
81 Inferior quality.
That there lack Of necessary aicohohc sum-
ulants for the treatment Of patients.
That the facilities for bathing were inadequate
and that the bathing was Improperly done. -
That he supply of m Heal ana surgical lhstru~
ments and appliances was totally inadequate
That the disease known as souryy was prevalent
in the asylums. Il result IF insutciency OF diet
That the death Of a patient had been caused Dy
overd r;ing with powerful drugs.
That patients suffering from infectious diseases
not properly isolated and chat a. result or
this a leas patient had died.
That women patients had been required 10 perform
excessive and unsuitable manual labor. for which
they were ncapactatad or not adapted
That large number Of women patients had been
subjected to great hardship and discomfort by
their removal from Blackwelrs Island TO build
ings Wards Island which were not suitable
for occupancy
That there was axiiy in the commitment OF
patients. and that persons who were not insane
were illegally committed to and detained in the
/ asylums also. that patients were wrongiully de-
tanned therein after they had recovered.
That there a lack Of suitable facilities Tor
the diversion amusement ana occupation of pa
TENTS
That all Of the asylum buildings were danger
1 Ously OVcrcrOwded that many OF them We're IN a
state Of dilapidaton and decay; also. that the
plumbing. steam heating and meanr OF ventilation
seriously defective also. that there had been
great and unnecessary delay in the completion or
/ new buildings and In the renovation and repair
of certain other buildings which were urgently
needed for the use Of patients.