The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06
TREATMENT OF INSANE.

possible efficiency and the largest posi-
BILE returns for the money expended.
TREATMENT OF INSANE.
Governor Lind Warmly Commends What
Is Known as the Wisconsin Plan.
The treatment of insane occupies a
prominent place in the governors mes
sage. His preference as between the two
plans outlined respectively by the board
of trustees of the state hospitals and the
board of corrections and charities is de-
, cidedly in favor of the latter. The plan
recommended by this board is substan-
TALLY that now in operation in Wisconsin.
The plan now in operation in Mime
/ sofa, by which all the burden of expense
is borne by the state, the governor says,
practically holds out premium to the
different counties for loading down the
state with the care and maintenance OF
the INDECENT who are suffering from any
mental disorder or weakness in the slight
est degree This is certainly bad policy
and should be reformed.
"In no sphere of sociological inquiry"
says Governor Lind, ''has modern science
made greater advance than in the study
and treatment of insanity. The early
practices of treating the insane first, as
possessed, and latterly, as criminals, have
been wholly discarded, except as traces
remain in the forms of our commitments.
The modern and rational conclusion is
that insanity is disease and as such re-
nIlires treatInant tho .sa1na as any other
ailment. In this acute stage, the hospital
is the proper place for it's care. If it is or
becomes permanent or chronic condi-
ton, then the patient is what we might
call mental cripple, and the home or
asylum is the proper place for his care.
There is no more sense in keeping the
acutely insane and the chronic in the
same institution than there, would be in
keeping those who had become physically
crippled in a hospital designed for the
treatment of acute cases of disease or in
jury; still this is what we are undertak
ing to do in this state to today"
Adopt a Humane Method.
In their physical ailments the chronic
insane do not differ essentially from sane
people. On the whole, they seem to suffer
less from sickness than people who are
mentally sound. Bearing these facts in
mind, and the additional one that a
human being cannot be content without
some means of employment, and that the
instincts and cravings of the mentally
crippled in this regard are the same as
those of sane people, it seems to me that
the dictates of interest and humanity
alike will compel you to abandon hospital
extension in this state upon present lines,
and to adopt a method which will be more
natural and humane to the unfortunates,
and which will also utilize such elements
of efficiency for production and self-sup-
port as they possess. AS to what this plan
should be the board of trustees and the
board of corrections and charities do not
agree. The board of trustees recommends
what is termed the COLONY System"
The board of corrections and charities on
the other hand, recommend what is
known as the wisconsin plan"
Under it any county that may so elect
should be authorized and empowered by
the legislature to erect and furnish suit
able building or buildings for the mainte-
nance and care of the chronic insane, an
der such restrictions and safeguard Us
they point out and suggest, the state to
pay the county $3.50 per week for each in
mate cared for. Both plans have this in
common: that they are better calculated
to place the chronic insane under natural
conditions and thus insure their greater
comfort and happiness, and also that they
will, though in a different degree, utilize
the productive capacity of the inmates
toward their support.
Favors the Wisconsin Plan.
The plan of the hospital board retain.
the entire subject and machinery of ad-
ministration under state control. The
other RENTS the administration of the in
stitution to the local authorities, reserv-
ing, however, ample power of control and
tn tho ia c hatypQpn - q
two plans my Judgment has lead me to
favor the Wisconsin plan, and recon-
mend it's adoption without hesitancy OF
reserve My first impressions were
against it, and my present Judgment is
the result of investigation and observa-
ton. If no other considerations entered
into it, should deem it great reform in
itself for you to select that method which
transferred the burden of administration
to the local authorities. The administra-
ton of the county asylums in Wisconsin
is most admirable. Judged by the same
standard, it is as good in all respects as
the administration of the state hospitals,
in that state or in ours In respect to
economy, there is hardly any room for
comparison, the arguments in the report
of the hospital board to the contrary not
withstanding.
Governor Lind then details at some
length his observations in visits to some
of the Wisconsin county asylums for the
chronic insane, finding them in manage
ment exceedingly commendable. Hefound
all the institutions visited better housed
than he had expected, and also better
equipped The food for the most part be-
ing raised on the farms operated in con
nection was wholesome and abundant, the
beds and bedding cleaner than in any
| similar institution he had ever visiteI
He is loath to believe that as good local
management cannot be obtained in this
state as in Wisconsin. The supervision
rests in the state, and its aid to the extent
of $3.50 per capita could and should be
made contingent upon the maintenance of
high standard. At the present one hos
pital in each congressional district would
probably be sufficient, with one for each
large city.
STATE INSTITUTIONS