Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-08
INSANE HOSPITALS ARE CROWDED.
Additional Appropriations Asked to
Meet the Demand.


Nebraska has three hospitals for the in
sane, located at Lincoln, Norfolk and Hast
ings, respectively l choose to treat all of
them together and in a general way. They
have each been managed in wise, careful
and economical manner. The professional
treatment has been of a high order and the
welfare of the unfortunate wards of the state
confined in these institutions has been care
fully looked after in ell respects. A visit
to any one OF these institutions cannot but
impress one with the high professional skill
and orderly management which characterizes
IL. The welfare OF the inmates is improved
wherever possible and the utmost kindness
and gentleness in caring for them prevails.
considerable saving has been made in
the expenditures per capita. Some further
saving can doubtless be made, and yet | am
inclined to the view that in these institutions
the minimum expenditures in their mainte-
nance has been very nearly reached. In car
ing for the unfortunate insane it is appar-
ent to the ordinary observer that the neces-
sary employees, as well as officers of such an
institution, are more numerous than are
required in any other institutional work.
The proposition Of reducing expenditures
further by reduction of salaries has been
suggested to me. ! submit 1t to you for
your careful and judicious consideration,
without recommendation on my part further
than to say that | approve of any effort
which may be made to place all salaries and
wages of employees OF the state upon a basis
of equality, as near as may be done, with
reference to the character of the work to be
performed THE laborer is worthy OF his
hire" and all servants of the state, in what
ever capacity employed, should receive fair
and Just compensation and their services
should be the very best obtainable, honestly,
faithfully and intelligently performed.
The management of each of these institu-
haG iat mi
to provide additional room. Each is now
crowded to it's utmost capacity, and yet there
are a number of insane persons being cared
for by the different counties of the state who
could be much better and more economi-
cally treated in state hospitals. Reasonable
provisions should be made to meet the in
creasing demands upon these Institutions in
tho most economical manner compatible
with the welfare of the unfortunates for
whom such institutions are maintained. 1t
will be observed that the population of the
Hastings asylum and the Lincoln hospital
Is much larger than the Norfolk hospital.
The best results as to economy and efficiency
in treatment and MANAGEMENT can be OBJ
tained as the population of these institutions
increases up to a certain limit, which, as yet
has not been reached in any of them. In
view of the fact that the institution at Nor
folk has less room than either of the others,
1t seems to me that II the Legislature shall
determine to make appropriations for addi-
llOnal room, anu IL can DE provided lOT Win
as little cost at the Norfolk institution as
elsewhere, 1t would be advisable TO en-
large that institution until its capacity has
reached $50 to 400 inmates The sugges-
tions made by the superintendent Of the lin
coin hospital present some features of
economy in ths way of procuring additional
room with a minimum of expense, which l
submit to you for your careful considera-
tion.
The Hastings institution is denominated
an Asylum for the Chronic Insane, and
receives its inmates from the other two. by
transfer of inmates after a period OF time
has shown that the hope of recovery is very
small. If the intention OF the lawmakers
in its establishment be carried out to its
fullest extent 1t will have to have its
capacity still further increased, although it
now has the largest population of the three.
Some interested in the subject of caring for
the insane favor the placing of all three of
these institutions on an equality, that is,
making them all asylums for the insane,
without qualifying the different degrees or
types of insanity l de not believe 1t
would be advisable to make any change
OF this kind at this time and
am inclined to the view that the
present arrangement has advantages that
perhaps overcome and disadvantages of
objections that might be urged against its
continuance, The request for an appropria-
tion for additional buildings at the Hastings
Is with view, ! assume, Of in 4
creasing it's capacity so that 1t may be able
to receive inmates from the other two in
stitutions by transfer as rapidly as II shall
appear that the condition of the patients
renders it advisable to place them in this
for permanent treatment as con-
by the law creating 1t. II will be |
observed, however. that no fixed or definite
rule can be made In determining Just what
patient shall be transferred. 1t will there
foro fulfill reasonably we'll it's mission by
those seemingly best adapted to
transfer only so fast as vacancies occur by |
leath or recovery, after its maximum num-
her OF inmates has been reached. ] invite
your attention to a careful perusal OF the
biennial reports OF the superntendents OF
hese three institutions which will give you
much valuable information.
State Industrial schools.
By constitutional enactment "the legsla-
lure may provide by law for the establish
nent OF a school, or schools, for the safe