The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-27

would require $4,000 additional to COM
plete and equip cottages in connection
with the Hospital. Aftar that, about one
thousand one hundred Insane woald tie
provided for in the Western district, for
the sum of 1920 coo annually, being at 4
per capita cost OF $113, instead of one
hundred and twenty to one hundred ah1
twenty-five dollars, as at present. This,
if realized for white insane would lie
quite unparalleled for results With econ0-
my of means.
IF the question be askel. lior; can
the State best use additional funds for
accommodation? the following suggestion
is made: We should not arpct new
institutions with the great proportionate
cost of administration, or extend pres
ent edifices on too large scale. We
should erect inexpensive cottages for col
onies, so called, within a mile or two OF
one Of the present institutions. as the
case may be, if land be expensive. AS
excitable cases become mild and improve
under treatment, they could be trans
ferred to one of the cottages, undor good
attendants, and perhaps, gradually earn
their support on the farm, until their
condition finally warrants return hone.
They would of course, be under medical
oversight constantly, and could be tranS-
ferred at once to the proper ward in ne
Hospital should need arise. The exoen-
sive portions Of the whole Hospital Gys-
tem would require no duplication. TIC
least possible expenditure would bc
available for the object desired.
"The practical application lies in these
figures The cost of the Morganton Hos
pital was 5000 a bed; that at Raleigh
about the same, and at Goldsboro $500 a
bed. The figures of DR.. Murphy are
used. The average cost throughout the
United States is 81 200 bed while there
are institutions that cost $500. But the
cottages erected on the colony plan at
Morganton required but 5000 a bed, and
the Superintendent states that if the brick
be made by the management. 400 could
be furnished with beds at a cost of two
hundred to two hundred and fifty dol
lars each.
THE browning consideration is, that
these patients would have treatment,
and every hope of recovery; but where
they are now. in jails or Homes, or talk
ing their chances in the average private
family, what is their hope for the future,
and what must be the judgment of every
citizen who has at heart the honor of his
State and the welfare of the people?
Whatever may be the value of the sug-
gestions herein offered, the Board OF
Public Charities earnestly urges that the
great suffering now endured be relieved
as early as possible, and this for the
colored race also. whose situation OF
friendliness generally. when ILL., has been
adverted to- The steady Improvement
and great expansion upon small means
at the Goldsboro Hospital is a guaran-
tee of the wise and careful management
OF means for enlargement there.
THE chief need at the Raleigh Hospi-
tai is the addition Of such lands as may
make a cottage system eventually practi-
cable, should it's Board and Superinten-
dent advise it's introduction"
The report closes with an appeal to
the Governor of North Carolina and
all executive officers of the State. to
the Legislature and county officials,
to the press of North Carolina and the
people generally to assist in securing
for even the humblest citizen an OPP
portunity to regain his lost reason.
For the protection and comfort of
the weak in any form, by the strong;
the relief of the blind, deaf-mute, in
sane. feeble-minded, chronic invalid
and helpless orphan is the chief glory
and honor of all God-fearing people
upon this earth"