The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-07


the Only Place TO send Drunk
nrds-A Ward for the Purpose in
the Proposed Municipal Hospital.
The Commissioners yesterday transmit
ted to the Senate Committee on the Dis
trict Of Columbia a report on Senate bill
2551, providing for the establishment
of an inebriate asylum in the District. The
Commissioners state in their letter to the
committee that they send with the bill
several opinions OF persons named, all of
which are favorable to the measure. The
Commissioners then say that they also ap
prove the bill. They state their belief that
such an institution would be Of great util-
ity to the District Of Columbia. In their
opinion, the best provision for the estab-
lishment and maintenance of such an in
stitution could be made in connection with
the proposed Municipal Hospital, and the
Commissioners recommend that such
hospital be provided at the earliest pos
sible date, and that wards for the treat
ment of inebriates and for their detention
be provided in the building so erected.
The bill referred to originated with Judge
!. G. Kimball, of the Police Court, who
has this to say regarding the motive which
prompted him to draft the measure and to
secure its introduction in Congress:
My daily experience as judge Of the
Police Court has impressed me with the
great need of an inebriate asylum. | have
for nine years on the bench seen many
men and women who, believe. could have
been cured OF the drink habit had there
Mo vr.f,f 81, frar,r~ ggrr1d
have been committed for treatment. The
only place under existing law for such
cases is the workhouse, which is insult
abe in every respect. While the bill con-
templates separate institution, believe
it would be better to have the place Of
treatment a ward either Of the Insane
Hospital or Of the proposed Municipal Hos
pital. with physicians in charge capable
Of treating such cases OF tnebriety."
Judge Kimball further suggests that the
patients should be committed in the way
prescribed in the bill-that is, by infor-
nation in the Police Court to be filed by
the District Attorney. charging the de-
PENDANT with being an habitual drunkard."
The Commissioners in considering the
bill obtained the opinions OF several physi-
clans and others en- the subject, among
them being DR.. A. b. Richardson, Super
intendcnt of the Government Hospital for
the Insane, who said:
MY experience leads me to believe 10
the necessity for the establishment Of some
form Of an inebriate asylum. Whether DO
should be a separate institution or de-
partment in another hospital is a second
airy consideration. but that some proyi-
sion for the care Of inebriates is an urgent
necessity will, / think. be conceded by
anyone Who has given the matter thorough
consideration and has been in position 10
see the number Of cases occurring In a
community who require some such re
straint as the proposed hospital would give
them. ! am a firm believer in the view
that only forcible detention and thor
ough Upbuilding OF the physical and men
tai condition Of an inebriate will offer any
prospect Of permanent Improvement
unfortunately. the organization Of
these individuals is such in many instances
as to preclude the hope of permanent re-
covery. and in these a relapse must be
expected after any system of treatment,
bur there are, on the other hand. many
eases which. taken in time, could be great |
ly benefited ! believe. also. that there !
should be provided in this connection the !
for a voluntary commitment. |
as in the short time that l have been here |
! have had requests from persons TO take /
charge Of them, and forcibly detain them, |
until they could regain self-cOntrOl from |
he drink habit.
1T might be possible to organize a Je- /
1artment in connection with some her
hospital to be under the same general man
lgemeut. but it ought to be sufficiently dis
inct and have sufficient provision not to
require the association of these classes
with others. particularly the. insane. 1t
occurs to me that il would be entirely
possible to arrange a department in con-
lection with the proposed Municipal Hes
lital. but even there il should consist of
more than a single ward. as these persons
would have to be classified to some ex-
ent. and they should be kept under deten-
ion a sufficient length Of time to effect
complete restoration. Some provision
llso should be made for employment. and
he various other requirements Of physical
Herbert W. Lewis. Superintendent Of
'harities for the District Of Columbia. also
lrged the establishment Of an asylum for
in connection with the pro-
'osed Municipal Hospital. and advanced the
Glowing reasons for such a step:
The effectiveness of such an institution
or the cure of that which We are now in
lined to speak Of as the disease Of in
.briety, while asserted by some Of the
highest authorities in the United States
nd Europe. is denied by others of equally
]
ase is durable, and the means 10 the use
+ which # will mos often yield, have not
,een determined.
THE experience Of the District with in
titutions organized under independent
and public support as CON
emplated by the bill under consideration
las not been such as to indicate that as
he wisest course.
such experiments in the treatment Of
nebriety in the District Of Columbia as
he Congress may be willing to promote
nd the District to undertake. can be made
most properly and economically a part of
he work of the proposed Municipal Hos
ital.
The plans and estimates for the pro-
osed Municipal Hospital will be- accord
ng to the terms Of the bill, subject to
he approval of the Commissioners of the
district Of Columbia; and they can, there
ore. cause the inclusion of such special ,
ABILITIES for the treatment of inebriety as /
hey may be convinced are required for
he service of the District Of Columbia
nd as extending experience may show to
e essential to the success OF such an
Authority for the commitment and de- ;
sntion OF unwilling patients in this special
apartment Of the Municipal Hospital can
e readily obtained, when it is shown that
uch a place is in process Of preparation | I
nd equipment ,
WORK OF THE GRAND JURY.
List of the Indictments Returned
lesterday. d