The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-04
PRAISE FOR HOSPITAL
DIR. s. l.. PATTON EXPRESSES SUR
PRISE At CONDITIONS FOUND.
Nothing Like the Central Insane Hos
pital i'm the East-Physi-
clans Entertained.

DR.. George F. Edenharter, superintendent
of the Central Insane Hospital, enter
tanned members of the Marion County Med
many visiting physicians of Indiana and
Ohio at the hospital last night. There
were over loo visitors present, and the ply
sicians were first treated TO an interesting
lecture by Or. Stewart l.. Patton, of John
Hopkins University, on Recent Advances
in Psychiatry ana Their Relation TO In
ternal Medicine;" then TO supper, which
was followed by a number of short talks
DR.. Patton came to Indianapolis to recon-
mend many changes in the manner of con-
Quoting an insane hospital but after he
had been conducted over the Central Hos
pital by DR.. Edenharter he was compelled
to erase part Of his notes. He acknow-
lodged that the Indiana institution was
better conducted than any similar institu-
ton of the kind in the East, and it was
not necessary for him TO recommend the
changes he had first outlined.
In his lecture before the physicians Dr.
Patton said in part:
Il came to Indianapolis TO see what was
being done here. and l have been perfectly
surprised. We have nothing like the Cen
trail Hospital in the East. Indiana can
have the credit for carrying out additional
ideas for the betterment of such institu-
tions, and if she doesn't want it we might
wake up in the East and earn it. Until
recently there has been no place or op-
portunity for physicians TO study mental
diseases in this country In a republic
the opportunities for such study depend
largely upon the interest that prevails
among public men, and the public should
be given correct information regarding in
vestigations. Good results come slowly
from laboratory work. Investigation exerts
a strong influence upon clinical workers in
the wards OF insane hospitals. Without
the laboratory high class work will hardly
be done in the wards.
THE GENERAL PRACTITIONER.
LAS regards the necessity for such lab
oratories and Improvement of such oppor-
tunities for clinical work the general prac-
titioner must do more than any one else TO
influence public opinion. In general ii may
be said that the superintendent Of an in
sane hospital cannot, get sufficient profess
sional aid TO insure TO his patients such
care as is given 10 those sick in general
medical and surgical hospitals
Germany, Switzerland and Italy espe-
cially have taken the lead in making pro-
vision for the proper study and care or
insane patients. 10 improve conditions
things are necessary. First, hospital at
tached TO every such institution for the
care OF those patients who are suffering
from ordinary Ills and injuries This ne
cessity is being realized in the Central
Insane Hospital. Second, there should be
"A reception department where new cases
or older ones presenting new features could
be closely studied by the attending phy-
scans and by undergraduates and post
graduates. The pathological laboratory OF
the Central Hospital Is unique in this
- H. -
TO the East as an object lesson. BUI sucn
a laboratory X almost useless unless ac-
con- 9anied by trained assistants in the
We -
Germany has taken the lead I'm clinical
psyS.aiat4y. especially IN her clinics at
Kiel, Giessen Wurtzburg and Berlin. The
efficiency Of the stan OF hospitals may be
advanced in two ways-by liberal supply
of current literature upon subjects hav-
ing a pertinent interest. and by opportun-
iIy to study and work in some general hos