The Elbert County tribune., 1898-12-15
INSANE ASYLUM SCANDAL.
INVESTIGATION SHOWS NEED OF REF'
Committee Board Of Charities and Corrections Declares
the Management to Be Negligent in Attention to
Paients-A Change Advised

sufficient in size and suitable TO ac-
commodate from forty to hfty patients
II supplied with proper bedding and
equipment, Notwithstanding the TACT
that the superintendent has persistent
ly reported to this board and to the
Board of Commissioners of the Insane
Asylum that there was no additional
room that could be used for housing
patients. In this connection 1t may be
stated that these rooms, according 10
the estimate of the superintendent re-
cenly obtained. could have been fitted
up and additional patients maintained
until the next appropriation is avail
able, at n cost of not to exceed $5,0oo-
child Born to n Patient.
Seventh-we find that In the month
of July, 1897, child was born to one
OF the patients as n result of negii-
gence on the part of an attendant in
permitting n patient from the male
department to associate with the pa
tient first above named, in the absence
CT others, the male patient having been
employed in and about the woman's
building for number of weeks in
making needed repairs. under orders
coming from the superintendent, and
that this unfortunate affair could have
happened only through the gross neg
ligence OF the attendant in charge.
We further find that this child lived
for n period of about two weeks from
the date of Its birth. when it died and
was buried in the cemetery on the asy-
lum grounds.
The testimony of the superintendent
shows that the child received INSULT
cient medical treatment. The law was
violated In the failure of the superin-
tendent to report the death and burial.
Eighth-We further find that the
superintendent has been grossly care
less In permitting officers, attendants
and employees to absent themselves
from the Institution on vacation for as
much as six weeks at n time, and that
during such absence of two of the at
tendants of the woman's building at
different times, their duties were look
ed after and attended to in measure
by the laundress of the institution,
who was not trained nurse nor in
any sense qualified to discharge the
duties of attendant.
No Precautions Against Fire.
Ninth-we further find that during
the months of July and August, 1898,
the night watch or attendant of the
woman's building was given six
weeks leave of absence, during which
time no one was employed or secured
to attend to her duties, with the re-
suit that from o'clock in the evening
to about in the following morning,
during all the time before mentioned,
the three wards In the woman's build
ing were left entirely unattended, the
only precaution taken by the manage.
QUQfnsf fro In rho ht1iIdfn0
that the night watch of the male build.
ing was instructed to keep an occas.
ional eye on the woman's building;
aside from this, no precaution what.
ever was made or taken to prevent or
guard against the destruction of in
mates of the woman's building, either
by fire or otherwise.
Recommendation.
First-It is our judgment, based up.
on the evidence taken in the investiga-
tion, that change in the superintend.
ency and management of the asylum
is necessary.
Second-It is our Judgment that
there should be put into operation al
once q competent and thorough sys.
tenn of records, reports and bookkeep,
ing which shall cover the entire bust.
ness of the asylum, including the com.
missioncrs' meetings, and that there
should also be adopted thorough sys.
TEN of acquisitions for supplies and
checks upon supplies received and dis.
tributed.
Thlrd-It Is our Judgment that the
asylum should be provided as soon as
possible with new set of rules and
regulations for the government of the
institution and those in its employ.
Fourth-It is our judgment that the
management should be required tc
take advantage of the favorable eli.
mate of Pueblo and the ample grounds
of the asylum to give the patients reg.
ular and frequent outdoor exercise.
Fifth-It is our Judgment that the
number of attendants should be con.
siderably increased and all attendants
and others employed held to a faithful
performance of their duties.
New Lunacy Law Advised.
Sixth--It is our Judgment that the
state needs new lunacy law which
shall put the asylum on more mod
ern basis, shall define the duties of
the commissioners and superintendent
more clearly and specifically, requlr-
Ing that the superintendent shall de.
vote his entire time to the interests
and affairs of the asylum, provide fol
at least two resident physicians, one
OF whom shall be n woman, and put
In operation civil service principles lr
the employment of all attendants and
other employees.
Seventh-It Is our Judgment that the
asylum needs more money than II has
had, both for the providing of very
much needed Improvements and facili-
ties and for more adequate mainte.
nance and support.
Eighth-It is our Judgment that
means should be devised to provide
funds to furnish Immediately all suit.
able vacant rooms for the reception of
patients.
Ninth-1t Is our Judgment that the
location of the asylum is entirely sat.
isfactory and that an additional asy
lum is neither desirable nor wise.
Accompany these findings and rec.
concentrations are herewith submitted
letters relating to the inquiry, includ.
Ing letter dated November Is, 1898
from DR.. Thombs TO Governor Adams
protesting at his exclusion from tho
sessions when witnesses were exam,
med; the letter dated November IS
is9s, to his excellency the governor.
DeinS the opinion of the attorney gen.
erai on the matter, and copy Of the
letter OF November %, 1898, to DR.
Thombs, being the answer to his pro.
test signed by William II. Mcdowell
chairman. Respectfully submitted.
WILLIAM +. MCDOWELL,
s Chairman;
SARAH S. PLATT,
7. II. DEvlNE,
q. L. STONAKER,
COtpmittaa