The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-01-18
THE STATE HOSPITAL.
The Care of tn. States insane During
the Past Year.

Hospital for the Insane: therein the
cottage plan" for further necessary
buildings is vigorously urged:
To His Exae!len"y NJ. B. Mc5wes"ey.
Governor CT South Carolina.
Sir: On behalf Of the board Of re-
gents OF the State Hospital for the In
sane l herewith respectfully submit TO
your eXcellency their annual report
for the year ending Dec. 81, 1899, to-
gcther with the reports Of the superin-
tendent and treasurer.
The report of the superintendent
shows that there were under treatment
at the close of the previous year 966
patients. Of whom jS4 were white
males 24l. females 343: and 3S2 col
ored-males 1S3. females 1873. There
were admitted 415 new patients
white 224; colored 1911. The dis"h2rs-
ed number 397. The daily average
number under treatment rose from
915 10 996.
Many Of these patients were al
vanced in years and in feeble health
and needed more than ordinary care.
the details Of which are brought Out
in the superintendent report 2Gi the
statistical tables.
While we may well Geplore the en-
istence Of this ever increasing numper
c. the mentally afflicted III cur midS'.
We, we cannot evade the responsibility
lnnmNn lll-
manity as well IS By the constitution
OF the State 10 provide for them ade-
uuately. The steady growth OF the in
stitution in the last % years has I'M
posed burdens upon us beyond the eN-
pectations Of our predecessors. Inc
number of cClCred insane will IN Few
years exceed the white. While the
races have always occupied seperate
buildings or wards yet we cannot Dus
anticipate the time when wider sepa-
ration On the present site than now en-
lists will be deemed necessary.
1t has eve. been the purpose OF the
board Of regents 10 protect tie STATE
from all unnecessary appropriations,
asking only for funds TO meet lmme-
date needs for both maintenance and
extraordinary expenses, such as ne"
buildings. Were it in our power We
should much prefer to keep the lnstl-
tuition within its present capacity IL
we are TO judge of the future by the
demands Of the past. however. this
will be impossible. The coming years
will only increase the need of accom-
modations for yet larger numbers OF
patients.
In dealing with her charitable in
stitutions as with other vital ques-
tions no progressive commonwealth
should be satisfied with temporary
makeshifts. These subjects demand
not only consideration for to-day but
also provision for tomorrow. We
must adjust our present plans to meet
so far as possible future needs.
1t is the opinion Of the regents that
our hospital has now reached a stage
in its development that requires such
notifications as will provide means
for a better classification Of its pa
tents including isolation OF those SUI
serirg from communicable diseases.
Henceforward it should be our pur-
pose in determing upon building plans
10 arrange separate cottages rrthef
than add TO the already too large CEN
tral structures. That is. the institu-
ton should henceforth be developed
upon the cottage plan rather than
by additions 10 the "conglomerate'
buildings that have been erected IN the
past.
Among our present needs the most
urgent a.e accommodations for con.
valeScent and quiet white men, fer the
excited class Of white women. ana for
the con.umptive among cur colorsd
patients; besides provision for sspl-
rating all epilep;ics from the insane.
ard 2 new bakery. These subjects are
minutelv discussed in the supsril,enG-
ent's report 10 which we respectfully
refer you.
In the matter Of special legislation
we would ask your excellency's at;ea-
ton TO the better development OF the
system of county poor houses and the
consideration of the matter OF settlH-
ment" by which it would be better es-
tablished who may claim beneficiary
support in the State Hospital. Our
laws should also be more specific in
the matter 0. dealing with inebria;eS
and the criminal insane. During the
prevalence OF an epidemic G.Se2s" Il
is also recommended that for the pr
lection of the patients il the hospital
the right of quarantine against TIE IN
fected territory be entrusted 10 the
governor. the chairman o. the State
board CT health ard the president o.
the regents.
The appropriations made al '2e las
caccinn of the pnneril aSEanlNiY h.;Nn