The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-29

it. The committee will recommend bet
ter accommodations"
What would you recommend, Doc
tori"
"We will make our report to the State
Board of Health and send copy OF II
to the directors Of the asylum. In that
we will recommend the colony system.
That is that buildings large enough to
accommodate some 30 persons be erect
ed q short distance from the MAIN build
ing and the more nearly cured patients
be from time to time sent there IN charge
of a keeper. In case one sent there
should become sick or violent he VIII
be at once returned to the main build
ing for treatment. This would relieve
the crowded condition of the institution
at comparatively small cost, and 1T mas
in other institutions been admirably
adapted to the purpose in view.
An appropriation was made by the
last Legislature for the establishment Oh
one of these colonies. This will accom-
MEDIATE about so patients and relieve
the present situation some but not alto
gether. The next Legislature must take
the matter in hand and very materially
increase the accommodations already
provided. The people will endorse such
action on the part of their representa-
tives In fact when the true condition
of affairs becomes known to them they
viii demand that provision be made for
taking care of all the States insane.
The voters need only to realize the condi-
tious to act by them. In the territory
of the State Hospital there are 500 in
sane people who cannot receive the
benefit of the institution. OF that num-
her 300 are suffering for lack of treat
ment. They are entitled TO protection,
care and treatment. Some are confined
in county jails and county homes where
they get Indifferent treatment and scanty
food. If the patient is kept at home he
is a continual burden of sorrow and is
often dangerous.
But by far the most important rea-
son for making provision for the accom-
mediation of all who may apply is this:
1t has been found by DR.. Gray, of Utica,
n. Y, who is at the head of an institu-
ton having 1900 patients in it, that there
are 40 per cent. of cures in cases taken
under treatment early in their insanity,
but of chronic cases only 10 per cent
are cured. DR.. Murphy, of the Morgan
ton asylum, raises these per cents to Oh
in acute cases and II in chronic cases.
But even taking DIR. Gray's figures, IL
the 10S who applied and We're refused
admission during the past year
had been admitted at once, 90
of them would have been
cured. As they We're not admitted and
have now become chronic cases, only 10
of them can be cured. This leaves 30
or 40 to be condemned to a life of in
sanity and mental darkness, who would
otherwise have been restored to health
and their friends.
Another terrible truth discovered
during our investigation is that about
Is per cent. of the female patients not
at once taken are debauched. To be
exact, % unmarried females out of 2l6
were ruined during their insanity by men
for whom hanging would be too good.
DR.. Lewis said the committee, while
in AIorganton, examined the proposed
sites for the new colony building and
made recommendation as to which
should be selected.
Also the Morganton school for the
Deaf and Dumb was examined and
found to be in fine condition.
The asylum here will be examined at
an early date. The committee appointed
to make the inspection consists of Dr.
Lewis and Col. Shaffer.