New-York tribune., 1901-02-17
LrYacY CONFUSION CHANGES.

The qualification proper for a head OF the
I state I.unacy Commission is a much discussed
question with TWO sides. On the one hand IL
is said that the law compelling the Governor
10 select an insanity specialist who has had
experience in the State service and at the head
of an asylum narrOws the field Of choice un-
duly. ON the other hand Il is objected that
the work OF the Lunacy Commission calls for
the constant attention Of an expert alienist
whose place cannot be taken by physician no
matter how able and experienced. Is il not
possible that both views are right. and that
a solution OF tire problem can be reached In
harmony with both:
The administration OF the hospitals for the in
sane is great business task. Millions OF dol.
lars year are spent under the detailed direction
of the Commission in Lunacy. The head OF
that department has practical administrative
responsibilities equal 10 those OF the superin-
tendent OF Public Works and the Governor
may well wish freedom 10 secure a man OF
business ability and requisite personal execu-
tive qualities, even II ne has 20 go outside
the circle Of specialists IN the State service
The natural reaction against the OVERRIDING OF
specialties IN medicine points 10 the selection
Of a general practitioner In place OF the alien
list. All specialists are likely 10 become mar
row, and il is much 10 be- questioned il the gen.
eral physician OF high rank Is not more capable
than the alienst of dealing wisely with the
sanitary and dietary questions of the Commis-
sion. But there is field in which the alienist
Is essential, and il he Is not a member Of the
Commission he must be "A subordinate Of H.
The Lunacy Department does not merely man.
age State institutions under expert superin-
tendence. IL inspects all the private institn-
tiOns Some man connected with Il must pass
upon the condition Of patients in private asy-
lums, prevent these money making institutions
from confining persons wrongfully, decide upon
the licensing OF new private institutions and
exercise with expert knowledge control over
the insane everywhere in the State
Ia viii not be pretended that a general phy.
sician can do this. II the specialist is displaced
from the head of the Commission. room must
be found for him somewhere else. and in that
course may be found the solution The gen
eral conduct OF the hospitals and the spending
OF the vast appropriations for their care might
perhaps wisely be intrusted TO a business man
not necessarily even a physician But while
changing the Commission Il might be well 10
reorganize II and give one of the other places
20 a trained alienist Hitherto the president
OF the Commission has not only had 10 per-
form all the expert work. but bear a dispropor-
tionate share OF the burden OF general admin.
istration. All this business might be nut iu
other hands and the specialist be left free 20
perform his proper function. In that ca Sc IN.
present narrow requirements that he shall have
had experience In the State service and beer
stHhe head OF an asylum might be waived, and
the neld OF eligibility broadened 10 include any
competent expert Thus, without increasing
the personnel Of the Department the admins
trativs and the specialist side of the worl
might be safeguarded without unduly restrict
ing the Governors appointing power 10 a few
mon, of whose general capacity. in spite OF theii
professional claims, he may be doubtful. OR
tbe other hand. IL the alienist is removed from
the Commission entirely he will have 10 HI
Un10gsd at liberal salary ia addition 10 The