Evening star., 1897-02-27


were occupied by outsiders
am well aware that the state OF Vir-
ginia has but few hospitals, but 1t Is q
weL-known facK than the state OF Maryland
character. and ithe Rccess to them is equal.
~ as good from the counties OF the state te
the city OF Baltimore. where most Of them
are located, as It is to this city. l can re-
were sent to th(s citA from the states men
toned, and after remaining In our hos
pitals, some Of them for months, were
finally furnished transportation to their
ing the n same ad #he this injustice ses W
doubtless be recognized. yet 1t would he in
human to refuse these applicants the neces-
sary hospital permit, as 1t frequently oc-
able condition. Notwithstanding the fact
that one-half of the cost of maintaining
our hospitals is borne by the taxpayers oil
the District, yet We can not, from a hu-
and medical treatment to any one who may
be suffering or in distress"
The Crank Variety.
The sanitary officer has to deal with
crazy peoplH of every description from the
slightly demented local pauper to the So
called presidential crank who comes from
distance. During recent months the in
sanity cases has decreased In number, but
the presidential crank comes at intervals
and averages about twenty each year.
There Is no place in the city where insane
persons may be held except police stations,
and the necessity for such place has Of
ten been pointed out by the sanitary OFF,
Ger.
Mr. Frank has reached the conclusion.
based on experience, that there should be
asylum for ineDriateS. lli his
nual report, printed only short time ago,
ne. sanitary officer referred to this mat
ter in this way:
Permit me to renew again, and If possi-
ole with stronger emphasis my former
recommendations looking to the establish
nent of an asylum or hospital for inc
briates, where the treatment of such pa
tients should be compulsory.
''Htt.s jae asst ses. 0 OF Congress bill
FOR this purpose was favorably reported to
the House OF Representatives by the Dis
trtct committee. The erection and main
tenance OF hospital for inebriates within
the District for the care and cure of per
sons who are suffering from the excessive
and habitual use of liquors seems to meet
with the heartiest Endorsement of this com
munfty. If inebriety Is disease, and it
Is so admitted by the medical profession,
tnen IL seems that 1t is necessary to care
for the fnebriate.
ReclafminE the Drunkard.
II am sure 1 have had more cases of this
character brought to my attention during
this fiscal year than at any other period
come moral, mental and physical wrecks
by the excessive use of intoxicants and l
believe 1 can safely say that some of the
cases of insanity can be directly traced to
alcohol. Doubtless some of these men
couid De reclaimed and again become good
members of society. An asylum for in
ebrfates would be in the interest of morali-
~ and good government, and such an in
stitut1on. to my mind, is equally as neces-
sary as an asylum for the insane l trust
mat IN the near future hospital for the
compulsory treatment of this unfortunate
class VIII be erected and properly eauip-
ped, and that Congress will at the coming
session make law similar to the bill re-
ported at the last session for the establish
n'ent OF an asylum for inebriates"
seldom day passes that the sanitary
onicer is not called upon by score or
more OF persons who want assistance of
some Kind. Some want to 60 to the poor
mouse, others to a hospital, while still 9th
ers want transportation. For some reason.
a number Of the old persons who are
known IN Judge Kimbalrs court as .old
regulars seldom fail to give the CAPTAIN
q. cait when they get under the influence of
in trouble. = '' eN'