The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-12
THE PROPOSED STATE HOSPITAL.
DIR. John Komler Outlines His Idea
of the Project.

The meeting of the Second Presbyterian
Church, January. p, in the interest OF a
state hospital will be presided over by Gov
ernor Matthews Dr., John Komler, who has
the project under way. outlines the plans
in the following:
Before 1 become actively engaged in med
icne saw the need Of an institution hav-
Physicians from various parts of the State
have spoken to me of the need of a first
class hospital where people that have fall
len the victims of disease and are without
means to employ physician, may be sent.
Often the local physician is overworked
and is unable to give the needed attention
to such persons. Some one may say that
such unfortunates can be sent TO the County
Aims House, Orphans Home, Homes for the
Aged, etc., throughout the State. These in
situations are not provided with the means
necessary to combat woeful enemy
Would you and / wish to be taken to any
of these institutions If we were taken iii
with any of the contagious and infectious
diseases, or any disease requirement to bed
for any length Of time? For example, ty-
phoid fever. The mode Of treatment by
which the largest number OF lives is saved
as shown by statistics, cannot we'll be car
ried out in any private family, much less
in any Of the institutions have mentioned.
Persons requiring operative treatment do
not have the same chances for recovery at
home as are afforded in a first-class hospi-
tai with an especially trained corps of
nurses, where every movement Is directed
towards the destruction of any OF the dis
ease producing organisms. Also persons af-
1icted with disease of the nervous system
are often uniustly sent to the asylums for
the insane. These institutions are crowded
to such extent that superintendent, if
they would. cannot give individual attention
to the patients, nor can the patients be
clasSed in such manner as not to have a
baneful influence upon one another. The
cause of the mental alteration should al
tence. Why commit TO an asylum a patient
whose disturbance of equilibrium is caused
upon the BRAIN or the cause may y be in
some organ remote from the brain affecting
it by reflex action, in abdominal tumors,
ms and displaced pelvic o.snls
medication. II this fails try surgical
means. Should the cause be due to cerebral
congestion or cerebral anaemia, the appro-
pirate medication. hygienic AMI moral treat
ment should be given. and patient and fam
lily be saved from the stigma attached to
confinement in an insane asylum.
by way of suggestion. 1t is estimated
that from 90 to 60 per cent. of the inmates
in asylums belong to the class which Is
known as the harmless insane. 1t would
be well worth the while 70 try what is
known as the boarding out system, by
means of which the utmost liberty of action
is given. no bolts, no bars. The reports Of
the cures where this system is in vogue
are remarkable. They are given US by the
authorities of Belgium and Scotland. and in
our own country. by those OF Massachusetts.
Rooms in the asylum for the insane should
be reserved only for three ciasses--those
tudt nave .ccIulIlIlel SOiIlS dcl dangerous
to themselves. or to others, or to property
those that have shown by threats or other
wise that they have dangerous tendencies OF
uncomfortable propensites toward crime
and those that wander about and are ex-
posed TO want of food or shelter or to ac-
cident. This Is a matter that should receive
| the greatest consideration from every citi-
zen.
what we want in this State. and located
| in Indianapolis, is first-class hospital thai
| will open its doors to all classes and ash
| no questions in regard to station. religion
| sex or color. This institution should have
| free wards for men, women and children
| treating both medical and surgical cases
| those affilcted with diseases of the nervou'
agstesn. also swing those cases that an