The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-15
A HOME FOR EPILEPTICS
LAST LEGISLATURE FAILED TO PRO-
VIDE FOR ONE.
Secretary Butler Regrets the Omis-
siOn-Care of the Afflicted
in Indiana.

Amos w. Butler, secretary of the State
Board of Charities, yesterday issued part
Of his annual report touching on epileptics.
Secretary Butler calls attention to the neg
lect Of the last Legislature in providing a
home for epileptics. He says: 1T is
greatly 10 be regretted that the last Leg
islature failed TO provide an institution
for epileptics. The question of proper pro-
vision for these unfortunates is one that
needs our consideration. Who are more
to be pitied? Except at times of seizures,
many of them are rational. Yet because
of this strange malady, no one wishes to
employ them or for them. Work at
any elevation. about machinery or trains is
impossible because of it's danger Employ
ment with other persons who are normal
is hard TO retain because the association
is unsatisfactory. Attendance upon school
is often denied because of the effect of an
epileptic seizure upon the other pupils.
No matter how great the need of the un-
fortunate, how important his education,
how necessary his care no one wants him.
Finally many of them find their way into
insane hospitals. poor asylums or jails.
These are not proper places for them. The
epileptic should not be confined in an in
OF it, the effect of his spasms upon the
other inmates is harmful. Many are not
properly cared for in poor asylums. They
should not be confined in Jail. They have
committed no crime.
provision should be made for an insti-
tuition for epileptics This will provide for
the care, training and education OF these
unfortunateS. They can be removed from
jails and poor asylums. BY reason Of the
removal of epileptics from the insane hos
pitfalls and the School for Predetermined
Youth, additional accommodations will be
available for other insane and imbecile
persons who need care. Not least of all
the reasons for such institution is that
those who are sent to such an institution
will be prevented from reproducing their
kind; the next generation will be cut off
For every reason Indiana should make pro-
vision for the epileptic. Besides self-prO-
lection, the protection of society from the
offspring OF degenerateS, should impel US
TO this act In this movement there would
be much for the prevention of epilepsy
insanity. imbecility-three different mani
festations OF neurotic disease. Much of the
prevention of vice and pauperism.
"Other States have MADE provision for
their epleptc citizens. New York, Ohio
Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have led
question, California and Texas started
Now Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa and ILL
nois are urging that the step of caring for
the epileptics be taken. From the figures
given below ii will be observed that we
are providing for many of them now. They
are charged upon the State. We cannot
get away from the responsibility If we
would. Why, then, should they not be
gathered together in an institution pro-
vided for their needs where they could be
cared for. trained and employed and in
which they could be cheaply maintained
This will be better for them, more salts
factory to the State, helpful to the insti-
tutions relieved of their support and bene-
fetal to those who need admission thereto
From reports received by the board il
is learned that there are $50 epileptics now
being cared for in public institutions in the
State: 4l4 in hospitals for insane, 234 in
the School for Predetermined Youth and
251 in the county poor asylums. over 20
per cent of these (323 men and 81 women)
are between the ages of sixteen and forty
five years. Nearly 90 per cent Of these
persons who are effected with epilepsy are
also mentally defective, 34l being feeble
minded and $50 insane"