The Washington weekly post., 1900-09-04
Efforts to Make Life of the
Inmates Brighter.
Is NOT ALL GLOOM AND SORROW
Light and Air Are Essential Parts OF the
Treatment Nowadays - Coed Effects OF
the Cottage system, which Isoiates Pa
iicnts frsm the Hospital - Musical Die
versions and Outdoor >psrts--A Ray OF
Light In One DarkeHed Mind.
From the Ne~ York sun.

sorrow. There Is something foroidding
even about the gray walls Of State hos
pital, and II ever circumstances compel
Us TO consign cur friends 20 one Of them.
we are inclined to consider him Tor the
time at least as good or as bad aS dead,
and 10 go into mourning accordingly.
Perhaps the common notions on this
subject may be traced to a hurried visit
made some day to an institution Of the
kind, when the guide rushed the 81 dtocs
along, taking no particular pains TO con-
duet them where the brightest side might
be seen. The scenes presented Ia the
quarters in which the acute cases are
treated linger in the memory for months,
and 1t is not easy to forget the terrible
cries and the agonized appeals made TO
visitors on such occasions IL this were
fair view of life in q hospital for the
treatment of the insane, one might well
shrink from further consideration Of the
subject.
But suppose we make a more leisurely
survey o. the hospital. following the in
mates through several weeks of their
lives, and looking not only at the dark
side of the picture If the day be pleas
amt as We look about US, We cannot but
notice that every effort is made to have
the various rooms as bright and CHEEKY
as possible. The windows are large so as
to let in as much light as possible. The
sunshine floods the wards everywhere,
and in every spot from which the shadows
nave been driven away, easy chairs and
other comfortable seats have been placed
afording the PATIENTS opportunity to drink
in the health-giving properties of sun
shine. On the walls are pictures. bright
carpets and rugs are on the floors, and
other interesting objects attract the at
tention Of the people who occupy these
rooms. The corridors are as cheerful as
they can be: and at certain hours Of the
day these are thronged with such pers, rs
as are able to walk about accompanied
by attendants. Here they mingle freely
and converse with one another, under
proper restrictions
The Cottage system.
On sunshiny days the inmates who are
not in the acute stages of disease are per-
mitted TO go out of doors. attended by
their nurses, for long walks. from which
they come back refreshed in body and
with thoughts on the helpful things which
have been presented by nature along the
way. At certain seasons of the year the
men who are able TO work are taken out
upon the farms. which are always con-
nected with these hospitals, and stated
amount of labor is given them TO perform,
care being taken that they shall not exert
themselves beyond their strength In some
of the New York State institutions as
many as 70 per cent. of the inmates are
thus employed; and it is unquestiOnably
true that this employment has marked
curative power
In at least one of the New York hos
pitals what is known as the cottage sys-
tenn is now being tried with excellent re-
suits. These cottages are located at some
distance from one another of perhaps half
mile, those for men and women being
entirely separate The men quartered at
the cottages are employed on the farm.
while the women attend TO their own
housework and do the mending for the
men. The plan is to make the cottages as
nearly like the ordinary farmhouse as pos
sible. 1t is wonderful how the patients
enjoy life In the cottages. As only about
100 patients can at present be received In
these buildings the patients are frequently
changed so as to give as many as possible
an opportunity to get out upon the farm
for few days. The quiet of this life acts
ment necessarily attendant upon life in
the main building There is a sense Of
liberty here which in itself is more valua
bic than medicine, and more and more
this is coming 10 be a part OF the regular
course OF treatment. Very seldom do the
patients try to take advantage of the lib
critics given them
As you pass through the central eorri-
dor, suddenly you are greeted by strains
OF music coming from some alcoVe high
over your head. You stop and listen e9a
you are surprised when you are informeI
that the band which furnishes the music
Is made up wholly or In part OF the in
state hospitals these bands have attained
a remarkable degree of proficiency. while
their work has no doubt been productive
OF great good In hospitals where no band
can De organized from among the inmates
or employees, music Ii frequently provided
oy the managers from outside talent On
certain days OF the week In the arnuse-
ment hall, which has come 10 be- feature
OF all hospitals. there IL music and dane
ins Ior tnose VINO are disposed to trip the
light fantastic toe.
May Recall the Past.
On still other evenings of the week
stereopticon exhibitions are given Thesa
are greatly diversified by exchanging win
other hospitals Of tne State, From time
10 time also popular plays are presented
AT such entertainments n degree OF in
terest Is manifested which Is IN no 70.
speet behind that displayed By the most
cultivated audience: while the apureci-
alton OF genuine dramatic situation or
thrilling climax Is often so keen as 10
satisfy the most ambitious actor.
Sometimes an unexpected food Of Ilght
Is let Tn upon the past life OF the inmates
who are in attendance upon these per
rormances- Recently In one Of the hos
pitals OF New York. a japanese iuggler
and slight-of-hand performer had beer
engaged 10 amuse the patients OF an even
ing. lie had charmed and surprised those
Whe sat before him by his wonderful
tricks. Among others who we're present
was poor fellow who had forgotten
everything he had ever known. Even MS
name had been lost Ia the awful oblivion
which had oyertaken him. and when ne
was admitted the institution. q was
under name given him By the autnOrf-
ties. No one knew who he vas or any
ming about MS past history. Sitting thare
that night watching the Japaaese iueRIoF
some lost chord OF his nature seemed 70
nave been touched. and spFinging up he
pressed toward the stage.
"a Ike 20 see what can DO Al thate'
he said
~ ffst the attendant tried 20 keep hinl
quiet ard pulled him back again. thinking
oi course. this Was only one Of the pa
TENTS ysgaries. He was not 70 b. stilled
IN that Hray. however. and fairly beeked
10 b. allowed 10 Try h.s hand al the tricks |
FiE4Iiy the performer said:
Let MIN come up and try"
And John did try aD1 80 successfully
that burst after burst Of applause greet.
ed him. He was able 10 throw the lap
anese far into eclipse BY BIS sstenishfnx /
feats When be came down his compaH- |
ions fairly hussed him In their 10y. Nor
was this the last or a. Not long sfteTgard |
the manager secured the leading oper, |
house OF The city and II gss filled even
70 the foo;iights with delighted spectators /
gho ehesrea John 10 the echo. Who ear
tell bat this may prove 20 b. the means /
OF bringing himself back 70 himself some 1
day.
Plenty Of 6sse n ReaslHx.
Comfortable and ssiI-lightsd lsbraTiss /
supplied with recent publications In me /
line Of books aud magazines still further