The herald., 1895-02-03
A NIGHT SPENT IN A MADHOUSE,
The Queer Hallucinations of the
Unfortunate Inmates.
An Entertainment and Dance of
LunatiCs.
Tho Horrible Scenes Witnessed nt the
Highland Insane Asylum-Lsok OF
Proper Acoomm odasions.

near the thriving town OF Highlands, stands
a massive structure of imposing architecture
| beauty
"Old Baldy" to the west stands as a silen
sentinel while at its foot spread the most fer
tile valleys and most productive Orange
groves.
The towns OF San Bernardno, Cotton, Red
lands and Highlands can be discerned from
the rotunda of the building, and the entire
| scene presents a picture OF natural beauty
| rarely witnes ed.
But within the walls OF that building dwell
| three hundred unfortunates who are blind to
the beauties nature has sbundantly pro
| vided; who can see, but who fail to appreciate
the glorious surroundings; to whom the world
and everything in it is a mere blank
tits hospital; an asylum that the state has
provided for the treatment of the insane and
inebrate, but where the accommodations and
appointments are totally inadequate to p o.
vide for these unfortuna'e sufferers with that
CAFE that their pitable condition demands.
When, on Friday evening last, HERALD re-
porter visited the institution and made tour
oithe wards, the terrible spectacle presented
Itself to him of fiudng rs male and 80 female
patients huddl in the corridors on mat
iresses. because the rooms were crowded and
no other quarters were available.
The windows through which the rays OF
moonlight cast q bright reflection upon this
appalling picture, were unguarded by wire
screens and offered no protection against
escape.
Inc state OF Cal fornia provides comfortable
quarters and wholesome food to its criminals
in the penitentiaries, but neglect its unfortu-
nate lunatics and treats them as if they we're
respon'1ble for their miserable condition.
A BALL ROOM SCENE.
The senatorial committee of the legislature,
composed of Senators Anderson, Mathews
shippee, Arms, Biggs, Pedla-, Wilmington and
Gesford. accompanied bya HERALD reporter,
arrived at the asylum on Friday evening about
9o'clock. Many of the ladies of the party felt
100 tlmid to pass night III madhouse and
preferred to continue the journey to San Diego
DR.. NJ. b. Campbell, the medical director,
and his assistant, DR.. A. Stanley Dolan, re-
ceved the visitors and invited them to pro-
ceed at once to the large dancing hail.
where the regular weekly entertainment for
the benefit OF the insane inmates was in pro-
gress.
The floor of the immense hall is highly poll
lshed and the room makes one of the prettiest
places for entertainments. At the extreme
end is erected large platform, on which the
musicians were seated.
To the right of the entrance were three rows
OF chairs occupied by women, whose vague
glances and. .inexpre ssive eyes told the story of
their condition only too eloquently. Girls 13
years OF age, whose delight would have been
at its highest were they able to appreciate the
surroundings, sat listlessly with gray-haired
women, who were aged prematurely. Some
were looking at the moving figures on the
moor, while others were staring at the ceiling
totally unmindful OF the presence of others
One woman was in constant hystercal
laughter, while her neighbor was shedding
tears.
To the left of the entrance were three rows of
chairs, occupied by men. They. too, were IN
mates, whose minds were wandering and who
paid no attention 10 what took place around
them. Several were asleep, while others
were holding their heads between their hands
and glancing steadily at the loor.
The music had no charms for them. They
heari the strains, but they could not under
stand their meaning. Nothing could influence
their minds; human intelligence was matter
of the past.
suddenly the floor manager called quad
rille." From each side of the hall ap-
rroached men and women. They knew
the word and its meaning, and yet their
actions proved that they had lost self-control
Squares were formed, and when the master OF
ceremonies called out the different figures
they did not respond but became badly mixed
The motions of many showed grace and proved
that in the past they knew the art OF dancing.
In each set were couple OF regular attend.
ants who instructed them and guided their
actions After an hours entertainment, the
inmates marched in single file to their re-
spective wards, under the watchful eye of their
nurses.
at has been a practice" said Dr. Campbell
ever since took charge here to give those pa
tlents who are not violent an entertainment
once every week. Sometimes they have a
dance and on other occasions they are enter
tained by local music and short plays allow
no round dances fofthe inmates as the move
ments may affect their BRAIN but square
dances 'are not injurious. These entertain
ments are sometimes greatly appreciated by
them and improves somewha; their sense of
A MIDNIGHT INSPECTION
The senators and their ladies were then es.
corted to the dining hall, where refreshments
were served. and after the repast the ladies re-
tired and the gentlemen started on a tour of
inspection.
AS has been stated above the conditions were
most unsatisfactory. 1t was found that the
new wing to the building was almost com
pleted and ready for occupancy, but that the !
necessary furniture was lacking to make the |
rooms Eabitable. In the cellar in one of the |
corridors were stretched over 30 forms OF fe.
male patients. who did not seem disturbed at |
he midnight visit
In the mems wards the same situation pre-.
7ail ed The wards are able to accommodate
20 inmates, but 90 were fun inished beds in
hem, and the other unfortunates were COM
DC led to remain in the corridors. Each pa
lent has been taught to neatly fold hi, or her
Wearing apparel and deposit that in front OF
he loom or cot occupied. The arrangement
howed systematic management and an effort
o teach the insane persons to take care OF
themselves IS well as possible under the cir
umstances. The linen and covers of the beds
we're clean and neat, although some OF the pa
tents require change of bedclothes as often
S n dozen times per day
The noise and commoton of the visitors
somewhat disturbed the inmates, but they did
ot become alarmed, with few executions.
hose men and women were easily quieted by
heir nurses.
1t was long after midnight when the mem.
ers OF the committee retired, as conference
'as held after the inspection was concluded.
Dr. Campbell explained the various nee SSH
les for the insti utiou for which an appropri.
ton was asked
At present the medical director is Obliged to
ccupy one room. and DR.. Dolan, his assistant
nd wife are required to live also in one sma
oom An appropriation of $54O0 is requested
)r residence and its furnishings.
A deficiency of S25, 900 for the present year
xists, ns the appropriation two years ago was
lade on basis OF $50 inmates In addition,
10 600 is required for furniture for the new
IA pnr IN ic