Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-02-11

Die are In no ways extravagant
The condition everywhere was evil
dence of good management. There is
no opportunity for suicide or personal
injury, and the presence OF such sur
roundings as are intended to occupy
and entertain the patients. helps to
render their life here more endurable.
A study of the faces and features as
we pass through furnishes many ques-
tions for reflections. When one con-
siders how little difference exists be-
tween some of these unfortanates and
some others who are permitted to be
free, 1t naturally makes us feel graft
fed and recognize our good fortune.
Each floor of the building is separ-
ate department and these are divided
by iron doors which are also protection
against The spread of fire from one de-
partment TO another. The stair ways
are all Gagged so that the danger of fall
ling down them is eliminated. The
Patients are retained on the floor 20
which they belong, and each ward is
separate, so that they are classed and
grouped according to the necessities
of their cases. A ward consists OF all
of a wing of a building on one floor.
1t kss a wide hall running through il
whore all patients go and assemble
and entertain themselves as best suits
their wishes while their sleeping
apartments are rooms on each side so
that every room has an outside window.
The wards are perfectly lighted and
heated, with hard wood floors and
painted walls and ceilings; carpets
and mating on the floors, comfortable
chairs and all the necessary comforts
of the best hospitals. When one re-
members that these unfortunates are
patients who are here for treatment
and not convicts or objects OF, charity,
the idea of the work becomes more APP
parent. Many of those treated here
are paying their own expenses. There
is an efficient stat of officers and ply
sicians in charge, as well as nurses
and assistants, and everything is done
in accordance with the best systems of
the times. There is no evidence of
the straight jacket or cage for violent
ones; but rather the presence of such
personal influences as are best suited to
pacify whenever necessity requires.
In good weather many of them are per-
mltted to go about the grounds and en-
Joy life about as well or better than at
their homes. The records OF the past
two years. show no serious calamity
either to the institution or its inmates.
The officers and employees evince a
commendable pride in the work in
which they are engaged, and claim
that the results of their care of those
sent to this hospital conlpars favora-
bly, with similar institutions through
out the country. The purpose here
has been to supply all of the necessi-
ties and as many comforts to this un-
fortunate class Of people as possible;
and TO make the surroundings of all of
those under care as pleasant as possl-
BILE, and consistent with their own well
fare and the peoples good. The aim
and purpose is to secure the greatest
good without either extravaganza or
parsimony. There are few here who
DO not have more comforts than they
could afford at their own homes, while
the majority are furnished life far
better than any idea or ability of their
own could concern. II Is evident that
the best results can only be attained
by the liberal and judicious expendi-
ture of the money of the state, and not
by dealing out just sufficient to sustain
life, or furnish very ordinary comforts.
The opinion that the cost and care
of the insane should be reduced TO the
minimum, without regard to the final
results to the unfortunate patient, Is
founded on a wrong conception of the
,on0ncGifty pf fhniu nnnAfffnn
The final good which is accomplished
for the patients by restoring them to
health, and returning them TO a free
life, which makes them useful and
producing citizens, instead OF allowing
them to remain a charge on either
their friends or the state, alone can es-
innate the value OF the cost and care.
After going through each depart
ment of this asylum, including the
chapel. where music is furnished by
a splendid orchestra, composed OF EN-
ployees who entertained us with some
familiar selections, we looked over the
electric light and heating apparatus,
the power house and green house. A
thorough description of the days visit
would weary you, unless your interests
anu enjoy ytueuJS are luCtiuSA Ah bhos
direction.
We were returned 10 the hotel where
a substantial dinner awaited us, and TO
speak for myself was duly appreciated.
| After dinner seated in splendid car
| riage with an imported Havana for in
| spiration we were shown the beauties
of the city by those of the citizens who
farther undertook to make our stay as
! pleasant as possible.
/ must say with regret that eviden-
ces of prosperity are more abundant
here thanin our part OF the state. Fine
drives, elegant houses, three colleges,
| immense modern churches, and geuer-
al appearance of thrift and energy, in
dicates that the necessary wherewith,
for obtaining all these good things, has
been coming their way, in more gen.
erous quantity than to our own county.
although poor in the good things of
| this world. none the less proud OF the
many attractions and resources OF
which we boast. G.. w. +. JR.
TO CURE A COLD In ONE DAY.
Take Laxative Bromo Quinine Tab
let's. All druggists refund the money
| If 1T fails to cure. 25c.
---
Job-work of all kinds at this Office.
4