The news & observer., 1897-01-08


gratifying to be able to say that no pa
tient whom the Executive committee re-
garded as offering the slightest prospect
OF being benefited by treatment has
been rejected. Only six applications have
been rejected in the last II months 1t
is matter OF pride that state to you,
upon the information Of the superinten-
dent, that the Insane Asylum with the
new ward for males completed will be
able to care for all the insane in the East
ern District, and / recommend to you
that three counties, Durham, Moore and
Robes0n be transferred from the West
ern District to the Eastern until the
number Of insane in that district decrease
or the Asylum be enlarged sufficiently to
give them treatment. The only extra
cost will be that Of maintenance and that
can be easily determined by consultation
with the superintendent.
i would further call your attention TO
the report of the superintendent in refer
ence to the manner of treatment OF the
insane, and fully endorse and agree with
him in his recommendation. He thinks
1t would be better to change the name of
the institution to the North Carolina Hos
pital for Treatment Of Mental and Merry
ons Diseases, 80 that the odium which
has heretofore attached to the general
idea Of the Insane Asylum may be obIt-
Grated from the mind Of the public.
There has been and will be more or
less prejudice against Insane Asylums.
The superintendent argues his case well
from this standpoint, especially in refer
ence to patients who become despondent
from the fact that they have lost cast
among their fellow citizens; therefore it
should be our duty to free these institu-
tons from any unfortunate prejudices
which may have heretofore attached to
them.
In this enlightened age OF advancement.
of progress and great activity, mental
disorders are becoming daily more fire.
quent. The mad rush in which most of
our citizens live does not have a tendency
to eqnanimity OF mind but the opposite
effect, and oftentimas a slight derange-
ment by being treated Immediately in q
hospital would be cured, which If per-
mitted to go unrestrained would finally
result in dethronement Of reason | agree
therefore with the superintendent in the
/ closing words Of his report, viz:
|. When these prejudices are removed
treated in the earliest stages Of disease:
when those restored are returned prompt
~ to the care OF their parents and not
Kept for months chatting and fretting
60 go home, then the problem Of how to
care for our insane without the building
d,f more hospitals on an already overtax-
81 people will be near a solution"
SYATE HOSPITAL.
THE improvements during the past two
years in this magnificent institution for
the western district have been extensive
anH valuable, and have added much to
the comfort and health OF the inmates
Zach year these institutions have in
creased needs, and as the State grows
in population, the number Of insane in
creases. In this district, comprising
thirty seven counties there are now 200
insaae white citizens, either care upon
the counties or their own people who
cann?t "be admitted to this institution for
want. Of room.
The State has very properly undertaken
to provide a home for her insane where
they can be treated and many cured OF
this tsrrible malady, hence it becomes a
duty TO continue increasing the size of
these institutions until all can be ad-
mitteds and given treatment.
The buildings now in course OF con-
structi9n will accommodate rs additional
womenf This viii make the population
about 965 patients.
It is estimated that this increase will
cost at least 5000 per annum additional
to the present appropriation Of 100000.
The president OF the board asks for at
least $4,000 appropriation for needed i'm
provements and repairs
The percentage Of recovcries for 1895
was 39.s9 percent; 1896, 51.47 per cent,
| an average OF 1876 per cent. The death
rate 81 :per cent for 1895, and 2.S per
cent for 1896, was considerable under the
| average. Twice during the past year, for
want Of :ro0m, acute and durable cases
| have bee. refused admittance; the first
time in tsie history OF the institution.
Every pa~ticle OF available space is oc-
cupied. During 1896, fifty-four women
and twenFythree men were refused ad-
| mittance. This is a grave and serious
problem fer you to solve A great State
should CAFE for her unfortunate insane
populations and in order to accomplish
the best results they must be confined
in hospitals. As your population in
creases the:institntions must be enlarged.
The hygieI.ic conditions of the hospital,
crowded os: it is, is the very best 1t is
beautifully l0cated and affords healthy
and delightful home for the insane
Thee medical work for the biennial
period has been the best in it's history,
and this department is more thoroughly
equipped than ever before. Most of the
furniture used is of their own make:
every thing is made in the hospital pos
sible with the plant and raised on the
farm FOR their own consumption.
EASTERN HOSPITAL
This institution 10 for the negro race;
was opened in 1880 with only twenty
patients. Since that time continued ina
provements have been made and the in
StitutioR exlasSed. The number OF pa
tents treated Cor the past two years was
ave hundred end sixty-three, being one
hundred and feur Iaore than was treated
during the tive years previous.
There are nav in the institution 1S4
males, 213 females a total OF a77. The
percentage restored was 34.6S6 and per