The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-16
THECARE OF EPILEPTICS.
THESTLTE COMMISSION AFPoLNihD
BY THE LEGIsLATURE MEETS.
DIR. ackford and Dr Hodges Advocate
the Colony Plan, which, However,
Considered Too Expensive

Bigger, in the Capitol Dululhs. Inc loi-
lowing members OF the commission were
present: DR.. George W. LeCa1o' nsihDc,
Of the State Senate, chairman; colonel
w. L. McRae. OF petersburg; Or. William
r. Drewry, Of Petersburg. and Captain g.
T.. Nawter OF CrOzet.
Colonel Bigger. the clerk Of the COM
mission. stated that AT me suggestion
OF the commission he had invited num-
Der OF medical experts from various sec
tions OF the State 10 either appear before
the body in person OF to submit their views
on the subject in writing
DR.. LeCato stated that the object or the
meeting was to take the preliminary steps
for the compiling Of the report which Is
To be- submitted to the Legislature at its
next session.
DR.. B. Blackford, superintendent OF the
Western State Hospital, at stanton, VINO
was present, submitted report en-
bracing a plan for the better treatment OF
epileptics. In this report Or. blackboard
says.
DIR. BLACKFORDS REPORT.
1T is a melancholy fact that there is
an alarming increase Of epieptics in Nir-
ginia within the last few years, and some
thing must be done sooner or later, either
to build separate buildings at the exist
ing insane hospitals, or TO have sepa-
ratee institution on the colony plan
for the care and treatment of this class.
"The epieptics should not be confined
I'm the same wards with the insane from
other causes. The CRIES Of many OF them,
when fits are coming on, and the conyul-
sive movements when seizures take place.
are distressing in the extreme 10 a great
many intelligent patients. especially those
Of a sensitive nature, or those VINO are
recovering; not only so, but many cpl
leptics are dangerous 10 themselves ana
others and during the exciting stage need
constant watching. IL would be a great
boon 10 our State hospitals were one or
two separate buildings set apart for this
class. under greater supervision than can
be the case I'm our hospitals, as al present
constructed
1--WE have I'm the Western State Hospital
about 40 epileptcs, many Of them, where
mental conditions justify II, work In the
garden, on the farm, and other places
about the institution. They have their
fits while al work. and after they are
over. get up and 20 on with their work,
MS ~ nothing had happened: others, whose
mental condition IS such as 10 require
them to occupy separate wards, for the
'epileptic insane are dangerous 20. them
selves, and others by their frequent AT
tacks OF eplleptic mania and suicidal ana
homicdal impulses.
WHAT TO DO WITH THEM.
what to do with this class is Sc
rious problem which our lawmakers must
consider. IL IS very evident, IN my judg-
ment. that. unless something Is done for
the separate care OF this class. our exist
ing hospitals viii soon be over-crowded
with epileptics and no room left for the
care and treatment Of the insane from
other causes.
THE ever-increasing demand for asylum
accommodations together with the
steady propOrtonate increase OF epllep-
tics. will very soon necessitate the cree
ton OF further buildings. To colonize the
epileptics now I'm our State hospitals I'm
a separate institution IS simply providing
further accommodations for the insane
from other causes, who will take the
place in the wards which epileptics va
cate.
A MODEL COLONY.
at Blelefeld. Germany. there IS re-
markable colony for epileptcs, about
500. all being cared for there; IL IS more
like an industrial home, and is now large
lv self-supporting and a marvellous sue
cess. New York Ohio and other states
are building separate institutions for the
care OF this class with the hope that in
"A few years they may, TO a large degree.
be self-supportng.
Il am aware that the question OF cost
on the colony plan will be very properly
raised by the Legislature, and the fact
that so large an amount is already neces-
sarily expended for the care Of our insane,
who are in the hospitals, and the present
financial condition Of the State, viii cause
the LEGISLATURE TO hesitate about in-
curing new obligations i'm establishing
"a new plant or q new state institution.
"While I admit the colony plan has
IT'S advantages. ] am free 10 confess, un-
der the existing circumstances Of the
States finances 10 would be more cconoml-
cal TO build for the accommodation or tnlS
afflicted class separate buildings or a
cheap character under the governing pow
err Of the respective insane hospitals OF
the state where they would be utilized
according 20 their mental condition.
1.-THE wards OF our insane hospitals
should be relieved OF this class OF insan-
ity. and exclusive treatment Of the insane
eDileptics be conducted where II would be
for the best interest of the patients, ana
I'm no way conduce 20 retard progress In
the recovery OF regular insanity. The
presence Of the epileptlc Insane associat-
/ ing in the wards of our state hospitals
/ with acute cases Of insanity, IS certainly
a menace 20 their favorable termination.
When questioned by the chair, DR..
| Blackford stated II would be more adj
visable TO have separate wards or sepa-
/ rate buildings In the various institutions
| erected on cheap scale, In order 10 Keep
! the expenses down. If Accommodations for
! about 200 patients be secured al the
| Southwestern Hospital az Marion. the
! present want could be supplied at an OK
| pense OF perhaps $500 lie would be in
| favor OF the colony plan. IL the finances
| Of the State We're In a better condition.
DR.. MONCURES VIEWS.
! DR.. j. ID. Moncure superintendent Of
! the Eastern State Hospital at Williams
! burg, who also appeared before the com
! mission, expressed his regrets that he had
! not been able % prepare report for the
! lack Of time. lie stated that some years
ago the erection Of a separate building
FOR epicptics al Marion had been advo-
cate for the reason that more epileptlcs
are found in the Southwest than else
| where For about fifteen years he had
| received applications for the admission
OF epileptics from the Southwest, where
they could not be received FOR the lack
OF room
DR. Moncure said eplleptics were un-
reliable and needed constant watching.
| They should be separated from the other
insane, and he was therefore In favor Of
taking care Of them on the colony plan,
where they could be made 20 work for
some small compensation. However he
| had not been able 10 make them work
constantly, unless some promise was
held out TO them. He kept his epilepuc
ward fun. but could not 90 beyond that