The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-19
STATE CHARITIES.
Epileptics and the Insane Receive
Attention from the Speakers.

Epileptics and the Insane Receive
Attention from the Speakers.
Estate Charities" was the general subject
for discussion at the Conference of Char
tiles last night. A glee club from the Re-
form School for Boys furnished the music
for the evening. Epileptics and the insane
received most attention from the speakers,
in fact, every speaker made those two
classes of unfortunates the subject of his
discussion Prof. Demarchus c. Brown, of
Irvington, was chairman of the meeting
and introduced the subject of State chart
ties In his introduction he asked the ques-
ton, 'Shall the church, State or private as
sociations care for unfortunates?" He said
the State is caring for all unfortunates
whom it is trying to reform. There are
thirteen correctional and over 300 county
institutions in the State. 1t is estimated
the State pays out annually $1,4000OO for
maintenance of the unfortunates and about
$1,000, 900 is expended by counties. This does
rot include new buildings, policing, pay Of
sheriffs, courts, private charity or hospi-
tails. 1t is almost beyond belief that so
much is spent annually in this State for
care of unfortunates, but the fact that So
ciety is protected and humanity improved
is more important thar the cost. ''Cneap
care of unfortunates is a dear one to hu-
manity. You may save money, but you
may lose lives. The keynote of our work
at the present time is prevention of de-
The principal speaker of the evening was
DIR. w. p. Spratling, superintendent of
Craft colony for epileptics Sonyea, n. Y.
He illustrated his lecture with many stere-
opticon views of scenes at the colony. THE
epileptic is not a hopeless proposition" said
DR.. Spratling. There is no class of un-
tl1z% IL tl.,r ,x%I
more than the epileptic. During my fifteen
years experience in this work / have met
none that could not be improved with
proper treatment
DIR. Spratling then gave description of
an epileptc colony. He said the time would
come when there will be epileptic colonies
near all the larger cities in the country
where the inmates will earn from 60 to rs
per cent of the cost of maintenance In
selecting a site for such colony 1t is i'm
portant to note the advantages of the place,
fertile soil, water, drainage, etc, and also
its close proximity to population. The site
should be large enough for one acre to each
individual. Proper building as homelike
as possible should be erected. DR.. Spratling
said the inmates at the Craig colony do all
kinds of work, and he has never known of
an accident while inmates were at work. He
said idleneSS was bad handicap to the
cure or Improvement Of an epileptic. That
class of unfortunates should have educa-
ton, occupation and recreation.
An epileptic may be taught things men,
learned. But epileptic will not forget
| manual education The cost of mainte-
nance. he said. is less than that for insane
| patients. The proper care OF epilepticS In
a colony will effect more cures and bring
| about a reduction in the frequency and
| severity of attacks. At the Craig colony,
| the patients are allowed the freedom OF
| the entire place and they come and GO
as they please. There are no bars on the
windows and no locks to the doors. Only
| l per cent. of the patients have left the
| G.
sion, and half of that number returned
| They are made happy by their surround
ings and by certain employment.
Alexander Johnson, superintendent of the
/ School for Predetermined Youth, at Fort
| Wayne, spoke on "Epieptics and Feeble
| Minded" He said the school was not ar
| dividuals and they are made as happy as
| possible. He strongly advocated the CLASH
| fication of inmates. He said the inmate:
must be employed and they must have
| praise for their work. He does not believe
! in the idea of sending epileptics out into
the world after they have shown improve
m me TO or have been cured He said IT is bet
| In home or colony He said the CHIEF
| thought in caring for the unfortunates wa:
| their own betterment and betterment of So
| ciety, and not the idea of making sucf
| an institution sef-supporting. Mr.. John
| son said he was advocate of the colony
| plan for epileptics, believing that they car
receive better treatment when placed IL
DR.. Joseph Rogers, superintendent of tn,
| Northern Hospital for the Insane, at Lo
| gansport, treated the subject "Epileptic.
| and Insane" in a technical and profession
al manner. He said that about 10 per cent
| OF the population in insane hospitals ar,
| epileptics. There are 1888 insane patients
being treated in the States four hospitals
and 4O3 epileptics. He said the insane
should not be associated with epileptics
as the violent commissions of the latter hav
a serious effect upon insane patients
DR.. s. T.. Smith, superintendent of tn
Eastern Hospital for Insane, at Richmond
spoke on Colonies for Insane" He sal,
there are received at the four State asy
| lums about 1000 patients year, while ;
| large number are sent out each year eithe
cured or greatly improved. He said col
onization is the most feasible and practica
plan for the proper treatment of the in
sane. He said the convalescent patient
should have homelike cottages in which
to live and should be given work and free
dom as much as possible. He said new
cases should be given every chance 70
recovery. and the four hospitals in Indians
could be extended to advantage by col
oniZation.