The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-03-21
The Uncared-for Insane.

When brought face to face with the
situation indicated in the interview
with Dir. Detwiler, quoted elsewhere,
1t is inconceivable that the legislature
will fail to take liberal action. The
1.5OO or more excess patients in the
state hospitals for the insane who un-
der existing conditions are inadequate
ly cared for have just as strong a claim
upon the bounty or humanity OF the
state as have the 4.300 other patients
who. if the excess were removed,
would fare comfortably. All are en-
titled to the best care and the most in
teligent and humane provision that
civilization can provide. Equally is
this true of the 200 patients in county
or municipal almshouscs, not all of
whom are at present receiving suitable
attention
Each year adds TO the number Of
these mfortunates. Something addi-
tional by way of provision for them will
have to be done. DIR. Detwiler's anal
ysis of the various remedial sugges-
tions which have been advanced leaves
it clear that If the emergency is TO be
met now the first thing to do is to vote
sufficient money to the present hos
pitals to pay for their immediate en-
largement. This is an economical as
well as a humane solution. Fly en-
largement these hospitals would incur
only the additional current expense Of
the actual maintenance of the new pa
tents; there would be no costly new or
ganization as in the case of new hos
pital and no long wait for the con-
struction work to be completed. Fur
thermore, experienced nurses and at
tendants would be available under a
system already perfected; there would
he no experimenting on the !atents
until a system of management had
been evolved.
In conclusion we agree most heartily
with DR.. Detwiler in the opinion that
IF the members Of the legislature and
others in authority realize that some
movement to relieve the insane is not a
matter Of eXpediency only, but one of
absolute necessity; if the people real
ize that the insane are not now receiv-
ing proper care and treatment, owing to
lack of room to receive them into insti-
tutions provided by the state, some
method surely would be found by which
this proper provision could be made. If
one single case of insanity, which is
acute and durable. becomes chronic,
and is sent into a condition of mental
oblivion for years. and pauperism, by
lack of this state TO provide for its
treatment, it is a crime on the part of
the commonwealth which nothing can
excuse. Insanity is not a crime. and
those who are unfortunate enough to
suffer from this condition surely should
receive the best treatment that can be
given, and when we assume the right
to place patients under confinement for
this disease, We also assume the re-
sponsibility to give them those condi-
tiOns or surroundings which are best
fitted for their care and treatment. If
we fail in this--if the present legisla-
ture fails to meet the conditions which
face us-and by some plan provide for
these unfortunate wards of the state,
we will have failed to meet a sacred
trust which has been contided to us"
General LaWton may have felt that
Joe Wheeler was too prominent at San
tiago, but there's nothing to prevent