Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-23
CARE OFTHE INSANE.
Board of Controls Reason for Urg.
ing the State Plan.
THEY WILL Be BETTER CARED FOR
Investigation of County Institutions
Proves Them Omit for Their Pur.
pose-,ReformsW Wanted Mt tho
nIitchellyilIe school

Des Moines, Nov. 20.-No part of the
recent report of the board of control
has aroused more interest than that
which relates to the state care of in
sane. The board has been compliment
ed from many quarters on the firm
ness with which it has taken positions
on various matters. No recommends
ton has been more generally approx
ed than that relating to the care OF
insane. For two or thre years there
has been a disposition in some quar-
tiers to question the use to which the
Cherokee asylum is to be put. The
board of control has never had difficult
ty in answering this question. This
hospital, said by expert judges to be
in construction, plan and finish the fin
est in the new world, will provide room
to take the insane, now confined in
poor farms and county asylums, into
state care. This is what the board de-
Mands.
The present law provides for the Wis
iting of the county asylums by the
board, but gives no authority over
them. The board was expected mere
ly to make a report which could be
used as basis for legislative action.
The last legislature was willing to
leave this question in allegiance for flu
ture action at a time when better light
could be shed upon it. That light has
been provided by the Investigations of
the hoard. Their report denounces the
county asylums, almost without excep-
ton. 1t shows, not only that these in
stitutions are not now properly con-
Quoted, but that in the nature of
things 1t is impossible to give proper
care and treatment in them. This is
true for the reason that expert care
and attention is necessary. This is eX-
pensiye. No county can afford, for
the small number of inmates in its
county asylum, to provide such atten-
ton as is needed. The board does not
ask that county asylums be abolished.
1t asks thatlno more of them be. estab-
Ished, and that the board be given
authority over those now in existence.
The effect of such supervision and aus
thority is easily discerned. The board
would demand such reforms, such i'm
proSements in attention and care and
the costof a county institution beyond
that of state care. Then the inmates
would be driven to the state estab-
lishment as matter of economy to
the county.
.s,.S l Comfy institutions.
The board treats of county asylums
In great detail. In many Of them
there are no female attendants for fe-
male patients. This, of course, is alb
solutely needed.
1t is also stated that in some OF
them several patients are bathed in
the same water; in some cases four or
five people enjoy the luxury of being
washed in the same water. Such a
practice is not only filthy and disease
breeding, but it is abhorent to all prop
er conceptions of decency.
In only one of the nineteen institu.
tions visited is nurse regularly EN-
ployed.
In none of them is a night watch
man employed.
In one of them two men were found
chained to the wall inside the build
ing.
In one of them three women were
shut up in a room too foul and filthy
10 be described.
In several of them men and women
associate and eat with paupers.
In several of them men and women
are kept in dark, i'll ventilated and dis
ease breeding Easements.
In none of them do patients receive
any attention from the time they are
locked up at night until morning.
In several of them there is no regular
medical service. In most cases no reli-
gious services, nor anyiamusements are
had, and in nearly all cases there is a
lack of sufficient exercise for patients
Results ofTreatment of Insane.
The board takes up and discusses the
; freatment of the insane subject in two
& aspects; first, from the humane point
OF view, and, second, from the econom.
ic standpoint. 1.-THE latter sinks into
insigniticance when we consider the
question of affording proper care and
, relief to those whose minds are. cloud.
ded, and reason dethroned," saws the
board. "The reports show that during
the biennial period just passed, abou,
50O patients have been restored to their
loved ones as cured of their malady.
More than 500 more have been dis.
charged in an improved condition. Who
can measure the value of the services
of those restored as producers, and
who would lower the standard of care
II 1T would result in preventing sin
gle recovery?
Modern, hospital treatment substi-
tutes proper and healthful employ.
ments in place of mechanical restraints
thus stimulating return to normal
conditions in the patient, and increas-
ing the prospect of final recovery
Books. magazines, music and enter
tainments contribute to the pleasure
and restoration of the patients.
Attention is called TO the fact that
of those discharged as recovered, near.
ly one-half were received at the. hospi-
; tails within month after they were
attacked, and that most OF those thus
discharged had been. afflicted less than
one year prior to their admission. In
] view of these facts, the board urges the
friends of persons thus afflicted to see
toiit that they are early placed in the
hospitals. An allowance of 500 per
! month is made to each hospital super
ny