The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-27
THE BURDEN Of THE INSANE
MUST Be BORNE BY THE STATE
An Appeal to the People of North Carolina in
Behalf of Those Who Are Now With
out Hospital Care
BY STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC CHARITIES

appropriations in the face of steady
and constant demand by greater num-
bers.
Then it was that the Board Of Pub
lie Charities was appealed to, and ask
ed to investigate and lay the facts be-
fore the people-the tribunal of last
resort-and their accredited repre-
sentatives in the law-making body of
the State.
In response to this appeal the pam
phlet now before us has been written:
and it should have the earnest eonsid-
Grafton of every citizen of the State
for it presents to them a grave prob
lem. which is summed up in the fol-
lowing words:
after the most thorough investigations
this Board affirms that there is great
and immediate need for enlarged facilities
for the cure, if possible, and the proper
care, of large number of insane or
both races, and the danger is imminent
of chronic and hopeless insanity in
great proportion of these if relief is not
afforded
Could any darker picture be drawn.
or an appeal of distress be stronger?
Can it be true that in this world of
sane people-aye even in the proud
State of North Carolina-there are
numbers now living who are destined
to die hopelessly insane, because they
will be kept from that timely hospital,
which, in the incipiency of their ma
lady, might save them?
And. as if this were not enough.
the report pitiliessly goes on to say:
"Shall we say, in practice if not in
language: We are growing in population
and in wealth, but we cannot provide
for those who fall by the wayside; even
if they are men who have served the
State in honor, lived lives of usefulness
to the community, perhaps taken up arms
i'll our defence, or if they are beloved
mothers, surrounded by little ones who
need her nurturing care, and are suf-
fering every hour of it's deprivation. Must
such as these depend upon the lottery
of chance for admission and salvation
from mental destruction?"
Private care is out of the question,
and it is impossible for either the
county home or the county jail to
substitute properly equipped hos
pital for the insane. OF all misfor-
tunes that befall the private citizen,
relief of insanity in the private home.
And as for the jails and poor-houses
in North Carolina they are too often
unfit even for criminals and the poor
who are sane. much less are they suit
able for the insane. Any of these are.
at best, but surrender to the incvita-
ble--a drifting with the tide to end
in chronic invalidism.
{t,a hmm Ian
of the care and cure of these unfor-
tuuate people be thrown?
In concluding its report. the Board
summarizes the results of its inyesti-
CATION. draws conclusions theretrom
and urges the following action as
needful for the welfare of the State,
in the highest degree:
ITO whomsoever these pages shall
come, we repeat the inevitable conclu
sion that is forced upon us: The man
once insane must become a charge upon
the rest of society, either directly to his
friends or to the county or the State.
Remember that insanity is the only
thing that the private citizen can not
possibly provide for, with every means
at hand, be he ever so wealthy. To Sc
cure the best advantages for recovery
requires medical care in a hospital.
lit resolves itself, then, into COUNT
charge or that of the State, we repeat.
County care for a limited number means
a greater expense, provided just t"e1E-
ment be accorded For anything less than
just treatment, we should be accoun .anle
before the bar of the civilized woll3. In
the forum of enlightened conscience, at
the judgment seat of Almighty God.
Finally, if the State takes up Ter
duty, what should be done N the pres
ent condition of affairs?
This must be left to the wisdom of
the General Assembly, but this board
respectfully calls attention to some facts
in regard to the matter of reli2e:
1.-THE Legislature of 1899 provided for
the Morganton Hospital the sum of $780,
coo annually for support, as did the AS
sembly of 1897, instead of the former sum
of 100000, when the number of patients
was considerably less than at present.
1t also appropriated $4,000 cash 70" 1899
and 1900 for additional room. Ki!1 to
provide for at least three hundred per-
sons, fit subjects of hospital treatment