New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-03
THEY MUST HAVE NEW CLOTHING.
ORDER REGARDING INSANE PATIENTS COM
MITTED TO THE MANHATTAN STATE
HOSPITAL TO BE ENFORCED.

crrn,,sa was caused in the Department OF Chart
t,es in this city a few days ago by order pro-
mulgated by the State Commission In Lunacy, d.
recting that all insane persons committed to the
Manhattan State Hospital be provided with new
clothing including Undertaking.. and that in cold
weather there shall be provided cloaks or shawls
for the women and overcoats for the men and
mittens for all. The order also directs that the
persons shall be sent with clean bodies. DR.. a. f.
Macdonald. the superintendent OF the Manhattan
State Hospital, the official who served the
tlce on the Commissioners Of Charities
The Commissioners thought that the expense OF
providing new clothing for all insane persons com
mitted 10 the hospital would be unnecessary
burden the city. and they asked for opinion
from the Corporation Counsel on the subject His
opinion had not been received yesterday. but by
orders of DR.. Macdonald three insane persons at
Bellevue Hospital who did not have proper clothing
were not admitted 20 the Manhattan State Hospital.
The Commissioners Of Charities talked II the
order TO provide new clothing in all cases
imposition and declared that in many persons
who were already we'll clothed had been committed
TO the hospital To provide clothing for such
persons. they SAID would be unnecessary ex-
pense.
They probably would have changed their minds
II they had attended IT Getting OF the managers OF
the Manhattan State Hospital yesterday afternoon.
The managers are ex-Judge Henry e. Rowland.
chairman: George f. Dodge. secretary Colonel
John McAnerncy. Isaac ~ Seligman. George s.
Bowdoin Mrs Eleanor Klnnicut and Miss Alice
Pine DR. Macdonald was at the meeting. which
was held in Mr. Dodge's office in the Presbyterian
Building at Fifth-ave. and Twentieth-st The oruer
about new clothing for insane persons committed
10 the hospital, DR.. Macdonald explained. was
promug several years ago by the state Com
mission in Lunacy under the Laws OF 1880, Chapter
i8 and has been observed in all the counties OF
the State The reason for having new and clean
clothing on patients is that persons with old
clothing might carry the germs o! contagious dis
ease into the State hospitals and thus start cpl
denies The cost OF furnishing new clothing Is
not so great as to offset the danger OF admitting
patients with old clothing.
As to the alleged objection that some OF the
patients would have to exchange better clothing for
The new clothing furnished by the Department OF
Charities il was said that the Commissioners OF
Charities must see that insane persons who could
AFFORD to fine clothing shall not be committee
70 the Manhattan State Hospital. which Is Intended
for the occupation OF destitute insane persons whose
relatives cannot afford to keep them In private
asylums. .,..s u,u,,.., TT x,r,
hail treasurer OF the Manhattan State Hospital
He had not been applicant for the Once 6u,
had been urged to accept IT, ne Is me Na and
man Of extensive financial experience His duties
o. treasurer OF the hospital Will not interfere with
Lis work as bank examiner.