St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-09
EMPLOYMENT FOR THE IN
SANE

The Hospital Echo. paper published
at the Minnesota Hospital for the In
sane at Rochester. calls attention to the
need of providing employment for GER
tain classes Of insane people. and points
out the advantages that may reasonably
be expected from the introduction of
some system of manual labor among the
patients in our public Institutions.
This subject is not a new one. and has
given rise 70 considerable discussion
among alienists. Opinions have DIFF
fered as to the ACCESSIBILITY of requiring
this class of unfortunates to perform
any given tasks, and some have con-
tended that absolute physical and men
tai rest is necessary i'll order to secure
the best results of treatment. But ex-
perience, the best of teachers, has
proved that idIeness is far more COLI
ducive TO the creation and continuance
Of mental disorder than industry.
Many men are made insane by over
work. 70 such complete idleness is
quick poison, destroying whatever of
mental strength and physical health
remains TO them. They must be fur
nished with work in order that their
minds may be diverted from their
Affections. This work need not be la
borious, nor should it be obligatory, but
it should he encouraged by all proper
means. Employment OF any kind di
vertS the thoughts from unpleasant
surroundings and existing mental cou-
dItiens. and allows the recuperalive
forces or nature to assert themselves.
and emp loyment of c0ngenial nature
is found to be especially beneficial. 4
man made insane by oyerwOrk is killed
by absolute idleness. He requires the
stimulus Of action just as the victim Of
aichoiiolism requires the temporary
though gradually reduced stimulus of
liquor. To cut off his excuses suddenly
is TO end his life-tO take from him the
food upon which he exists.
In Il few retreats for the insane the
advantages of furnishing employment
for the patients are fully appreciated.
In those of Illinois especially is the fact
understood that the easiest way to cure
the malady of insanity is to induce for
getfulneSs of Its existence in the pa
tients themselves. For, contrary to the
general belief, a majority of insane peo-
pie are fully conscious OF their cOndi-
ton. Those who insist upon their san
ity are the exception, not the rule.
Nine out of ten are aware that their
mental faculties are diSor dered, and are
anxious for cure to as great an extent
as ale physical lnyallds, and they are
| willing to cooperate with their medical
attendants i'll whatever may promise
relief. 1t has frequently been remarke d
that insane people refuse TO follow the
| directions of all but the medical di-
rector. In him they have full faith,
and swallo W his potions. no matter how
II auseUuS. with the SuDmiSsiveneSS of a
child.
In all public institutions of this char
acter there is much 10 employ the pa
tientS that will not only lessen the cost
| OF their care, but promote cheerfuiness
| One who has watched the alacrity With
which patients do their work OH clean
ing-up-days will appreciate this fact
On such occasions every man and WON
| an is as his OF her post, using broom, or
mop. or water bucket with the enthusi.
;sm that marks volunteer fireman at
con f1agration. Under competent SUI
pervision these people execute theil
task with the precision and eXactnes:
that marks the evOluIionS of a we'll
drilled soldier. And after the task i:
done the workers will survey with adj
miring eye the generally improved APP
pearance of the ward, or gloat over the
shining surface of some particular piece
OF furniture that he himself has bur-
nished. For hours after the bustie has
subsidized the patients are more tract.
abe than previously.
II is the custom in most institutions
to call upon the most tractabe of the
patien hts TO perform odd duties in con-
nection with the care OF their fellows
1t does net seem to strike the attend
ants that these patients are tractablt
simply because th ey are called upon ic
assist their keepers. 1t is the nature q
every brute to endeavor to please his
master. and the insane partalIe much o.
the nature of the brute. Bat the little
activities required of these "tractable'
patients are better than medicine tl
them. and assis: greatly in their recoy.
cry.
Consideration OF the matter OF gIv:ns
employment .: a congeniat description
&c the !nsars Is OF great npor:a naa