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

Opinions of Exuerts show the Need
NJ S mn, y.
the only Place to Send Drunk
Ards. <x,rd for tho p,rnose i'm
The Commissioners yesterday transmit
ted to the Senate Committee "a the Dis
trict of CoIu;Ibia = renort on Senate bill
o5Er ,ro,...,, a., .o.,;.,.,,o,.
' ioi -
oil an inebriate asylum in the District Ihe
Commissioners state in their letter TO the
committee that they serd with the hill
several o,;rio,s =, ,,o-e,,,s nor,oa all If
~ Pc "'''
which are favorable 10 the measure Inc
Commissioners then say that they also APP
prove the bill They state their belief that
sucb an institution would no of great mill
ity 70 the Dietrict ~ Columbia In their
opinion tho hest nrozision for the estab
lishment and maintenance of such an in
e,itution could he ,nodo in connection with
the nronosed Nunicinal uornitaI and the
Commissioners rocoromand HAT SUCH n
bosnit,I no ,ro,-;5ad a. tha earliest Nos
sible date and that wards for the treat
mont of inabr;,.o, 81 Co.. tba;, doto,t;on
he - i. "i'u i1 o.aa,od
Tho h;,, -, -. .;airatea 80, -
- " " 'S nD,. 80 80 IS
" oaii' vi tne o,ioe Noui - ~
nc" '.S ~ o"' iesai uihs 'iio inoti'e mn
plolIp'ea Nun " uralt 'he measure anu ~
oe.ui rs introuuctioE III CoisIess'
ny uaiis experience ds Juuse VI lne
Ioiloe Coert mas impressed me Win tne
great neeu Oh an ineorlate asylum nave
loF nine years on the oehch seen many
men ana women who' belleve, could nave
peen cured OIL the drink hablt mad there
peeh proper place 10 whlch they could
nave been committed for treatment. Inc
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 ward either Of the Insane
Hospital or of the proposed Municipal Hos
pital, with physicians in charge capable
OF treating such cases Of inebriety."
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 habituaI 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
intendent of the Government Hospital fer
the Insane. who said:
My experience leads me to believe in
the necessity for the establishment of some
form of an inebriate asylum. Whether it
should be separate institution or a de-
partment in another hospital is a second
airy consideration. but that some provi-
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
community who require some such re-
straint as the proposed hospital would give
them. / am firm believer in the view
that only furcible detention and thor
ough upbuilding OF the physical and men
tai conGition of an inebr,ate 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 relapse must be
expected after any system OF treatment,
but there are. on the other hand, many
cases which, taken in time, could be great
ly benefited / believe. also that there
should be provided in this connection the
opportunity for voluntary commitment,
as in the short time that ! have been here
/ have had requests ireI persons TO take
charge Of them. and forcibly detain them,
until they could regain self-control from
the drink habit.
1t might be possible TO organize &C.
partment in connection with some o-her
hospital to be under the same general man
agement. but 1t ought to be sufhcientiy DIS
tinct and have sufficient provision not to
require the association of these classes
with others, particularly the. insane. 1t
occurs to me that II would be entirely |
possible to arrange a department in con-
nection with the proposed Municipal Hes |
pital, but even there it should consist of
more than single ward, as these persons |
would have to be classified to some ex- |
tent and they should be kept under deten- |
zion sufficient length Of time TO effect a !
complete restoration. Some provision, |
also should be made for employment. and |
the various other requirements OF physical |
restoration
Herbert W. Lewis. Superintendent of !
Charities for the District OF Columbia. also /
urged the establishment OF an asylum for /
lnebriates IN connection with the pro- |
posed Municipal Hospital. and advanced the |
following reasons for such step:
The effectiveness of such an institution !
Tor the cure OF tnat winch We are now in
clined to speak of as the disease of in |
ebriety, while asserted by some of the |
highest authorities in the United States |
and Europe. is denied by Others of equally |
good repute- The extent to which the dis
ease is durable, and the means TO the use |
been determined.
II md ind lon liant