The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-09-28
THE STATE HOSPITAL.
HOW THE PATIENTS PASS THE
DAYS THERE.
a DAYS Ration for Food and How il
is Served-Dr. nurphy Loved by
the Patients Noble Instltu.;on
Indeed.
(CharlOtte ObServer.)

more interesting place in the State
than the State Hospital, at Morgan
ton. 1t was built and is conducted
for the benefit of the insane people of
North Carolina. Many are the sad
souls confined within the walls of
that building, and many are the
homes made sad by the absence OF
| unfortunate ones, but a visit to the
institution and survey of the
grounds and trip through the
wards would convince the most skep-
| teal, or the most tender-hearted
person, that the place for people with
uni balanced minds is within those
walls, under the care of Dr. Murphy
and his able assistants In truth.
the hospital is like large and we'll
regulated family with genius at its
| head. Everything works we'll The
machinery Of Il clock could not swim"
trucr- Or course there are Jars that
would move the most cruel hearts,
! but they ale reduced to minimum
there. The officers, the medical
! altehGant., the NURSES and the ser
wants, one and all, seem to love the
| patients aud the patients love them
in return. There is little, if any,
friction. DR.. Murphy is kind and
gentle, to patients and attendants
alike, but above all, he is positive and
powerful. AS he orders all obey.
But persona! interview with pa
tients and nurses maize it evident to
me that he was loyeh, admired, and
feared and respected all at the same
time.
The daily life Of the hospital is in-
teresting. The aim and purpose of
all efforts is to benefit the patients,
hence the programme is to that end
AT an early hour in the morning the
bell rings for ali the patients. who
are able, and the nurses, to rise.
Soon breakfast is ready and the male
patients go to the male dining room
and the female patients 90 to their
dining room. In the dining room a
number of tables extend across the
floor and are placed up and down the
room. All the patients eat at the
same time. For the most disturbed
patient the food is placed and thor
oughly prepared so that they may eat
with the least effort and trouble.
Those who are not so unfortunate are
allowed to help themselves from the
| common dishes and waiter. 1t is
quite interesting to see as many as
400 women, or that many men, es-
| pecially when each one is more or
less disturbed, taking meal in one
room. From the various wards at
tendants come with their patients
and see to their needs and watch
their conduct while at the table.
There is rarely any trouble, now and
then a fight. The strictest precau-
ton is observed to prevent dis
turbance of any kind. When the
meal is over the patients are taken
back to their respective wards and
rooms. Later in the morning those
who are able and willing go out and
some in the dairy department, some
in the garden, some in the flower
houses and others about the lawns
and walk-ways and drives. The
patients are never forced to work but
they are encouraged to 90 out and
do light work, for they profit by it.
AS rule convalescent patients are
eager and anxious to work-they are
glad to get out. While there some
weeks ago | saw squads hoeing in
the corn, milking the cows, raking the
hay and moving the lawns. Often
times it was half work and half play,
but it was exercise and recreation.
Many of the patients who could
not work are taken out in squads for
exercise. They walk about the
grounds and frolic on the lawns.
Just like children at school, they
play innocent games like base, tag
and eap-frog-young and old alike
, play. They frolic like lambs. There
is more disturbed class Of patients
who stroll to the lillypond between
III and y o'clock each day. The
pond is some distance from the build
ING. off of all roads and out of the
way of people in general. When they
leave the building they go direct to
the pond and from there back to their
:. wards. They are always attended
o by nurses.
The grounds, driveways and walks
are made as attractive as possible for
! the pleasure, comfort and benefit Of
$ the patients as they aoaf, walk and
| drive.
While the male patients are eN-
ercising and obtaining recreation, as
above described, the female patients
are working in the laundry, the sew
inc room and about the building;
driving and strolling, and the most
disturbed ones play and walk in en-
closed grounds.
The purpose of it all is to give the
patients diversion, invigorating eX-
ercise, fresh air and healh. Nature
has made no more charming place
and by good taste and careful work
: if has been ornamented and beauti-
fled.
For amusements, the male patients
have billiard rooms, card tables and
> other games, while the female pa
tients have pianos and light games
Then the least disturbed class of pa
i tients read great deal And, while
here | will add that no one could &c
] \ kinder deed, nor one that would b'
- more appreciated than to send books
. magazines and papers to the hosplta
for the patients. Travelling mel
often buy a periodical. read it ant
: throw it away. when, by sending /
to the hospital they would help man.
: poor person to while away thu
n tedious hours of the day. All matte
:, sent will be properly distributed
Think of this when you are ready t.
=. cast aside an old paper, book or
re magazine.
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