The herald., 1896-08-16
Many of Them Are Restored to Health and Reason by
Proper Medication
In the interest Of the race threw the i'm
perfect children from the Tarpeian rocks.
EARLY TREATMENT

| fall of Troy the insane were brought to
the temple of Tsculapius and there
treated. Sacrifices and prayers to the
gods were offered up for their cure; for
in those days epilepsy was regarded as
a divine disease. because of the fact
that 1t was different from all other dis
leases. The idea prevailed that 1t could
be cured by publication and by incanta-
tions. Hippocrates, however. ridiculed
isthis idea. In the fifth century before
Christ ihellebore was used by the ply
| siciansto purge patient of melancholia.
lsBy the Romans stripes and severe pun
ishment were recommended for the most
Il violent cases.
Until the nineteenth century II is re-
corded thatthere was no departure from
the beaten track in the treatment Of the
insane. The world'regarded the afflict-
ed as persons who should be merely re-
strained and kept out of sight. Super
stition ruled.
In,t fourteenth and fifteenth centu-
rfes monks had more to do with the in
sane than physicians Force and vio-
IFNence were. used and ndthe.treatment was
harsh and cruel. In 1896 there were 200
patients lodged at Greatford. near Lon
| don, under the charge of Willis, the anat-
omist. who also had the care of George
| III. 1t Is reported that at times even
the royal patient was forcibly knocked
| down by an attendant. One effect, how
ever. this case of the king. George, had
which has worked for good. 1t brought
| the subject of the care of the mentally
afflicted prominently before the English
| people. with results which have been Of
| great benefit to the human race.
| REVOLUTION IN TREATMENT OF
INSANE
| Contemporaneous with the revolution
in the government Of the sane people Of
France. at the beginning Of the present
| century. came a like revolution in the
| government of the insane. The propo-
/ eition was laid down that an unsound
mind, like an unsound body. was merely
an instance Of disordered function
which could be inducted into a healthy
| activity by proper stimuli, and the pa
| tient restored to the normal walks Of
life. Then all superstition was dropped,
| and scientific study of mental aiiena-
tion was inaugurated. But not until
:. 1887 was the policy Of non-restraint in
troduced.
In Great Britain the Earl Of Shaftes-
| pury was the agent through whom
| means were first obtained from the gov
ernment to care for the insane This
was rendered possible by the fact that
general feeling had been aroused
| among the people for commiseration for
! the unfortunate Of this class and their
lonely lot. The first hospitals estab-
lished were by private benevolence.
Bethel hospital was instituted at Nor
V.Nh ~ TO, Oh LUKE 8 IN llOl, and the
Manchester Royal Lunatic hospital In
1866. -''
HOSPITALS IN THE UNITED
STATES
In the United States we have today the
greatest number of public hospitals for
the mentally deranged Of any country
in the world. The insane are cared for
py the most approved systems of treat
ment, and with the aid of all the access
sories medical science and inventive
genius can devise. There are in this
country something like 1850 insane.
and 100000 idiots. in an estimated ponu
lation of 72,00O,000.
me first hospital for the treatment
OF mental disease.in America was oper,-
ed In the city of Philadelphia in 1855.
IN lII3 second institution was opened
at Williamsburg, Va. Now there are
over seventy-five public institutions In
the United States known as state asy-
lums or hospitals. In most states the
designation asylum" has been dropped
py law, and 1t should be in this state.
w nile the term asylum" taken in its
ilteral and true Significance is beyond
argument proper appellation, the pub
tic mind has become habituated to as
sociate the word with restraint, harsh
ness and cruelty. as practiced in the
early days of treatment, until 1t has he
come synonym, in the popular under
standing, for all that is fearful and re-
voting Under the present modes Of
treatment hospital is the more cor
rect nomenclature, and one that at the
very inception relieves the minds of
friends and relatives of those mentally
afflicted, of a burden of woe,
No reason exists why such institutions
as the one at Highlands should be refer
red to as "asylums." They are places
for the treatment otthe sick, the weak
the uniformed in mind and body. and
should be properly known as state hos
pitals.'
THE INSANE IN CALIFORNIA.
In California the first insane hospital
was opened at Stockton in 1853 Later
one was inaugurated at Napa. Then the
state assumed charge of Agnews near
San Jose. The Ukiah hospital was es-
tablished at the same time that the ap-
preparation was made for the first build
ingS at Highlands. This latter institu-
tion is the one with which l am some
what acquainted, and of which intend
to write.
THE HIGHLANDS HOSPITAL.
The Highlands hospital Is an institu-
tion of magnitude and is located on a
commanding site, at the very base of the
foothills. 1t is on plain at an elevetion
of about 1900 feet above sea level. To
the south and southwest Is the beautiful
San Bernardino valley. with it's or
chards and grain fields. The grounds
COIllpTlSe JoU acres, WnlCn is the largest
tract of land devoted to this character
of buildings in the state. Upon them the
state has expended, in all, $450,0OO. The
buildings comprise two wings, three
stories high, having a frontage of 500
feet and divided into six wards-four
for men and two for women. The in
mates include about two males to one
female.
1t is designed to ultimately place the
females In separate structure by them
selves, as soon as sufficient appropria-
tion for buildings can be secured. This
Will give them an individual court. AS
it is now there is but one recreation
ground In. which the women and men
alternate IN taking exercise during the
course of the day. The cost of the fe-
male building would be about 500 900 and
1t would give the commodious quarters
which are desired and which are neceO-
eary.
An administration building is to be
erected. II the present plana are rasrfad