New-York tribune., 1902-02-09
ECONOMY IN STATE HOSPITALS
VIEWS OF A CORRESPONDENT WHO THINKS
1T is IN DANGER OF BEING OvERDONE


1T is IN DANGER OF BEING ovERDONE.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir; Doubtless a majority of the inhabitants OF
the State of Now-York take a tepid interest in
legislative proceedings regarding the care OF the
insane but there is a large class to whom any
such action is OF vital interest viz. those who
have relatives and friends in the State hospitals.
We. who through inability pay the heavy
charges OF private asylums have been compelled
10 commit our loved ones to the tender mercies OF
the State. must always view with dread any propo-
Siuon tending TO render more mechanical the op-
Grafton and control of the public hospitals.
whether the abolition OF the present boards of
managers and the substitution of visiting COM
mittees is wise improvement is open question
with which we are not so much concerned with
the care bestowed on the physical well as the
mental condition Of friends. Ny personal opin-
ION is that little difference will be noticed as in
either event the Lunacy Commission is supreme
and will control present. Perfunctorv vista
ton Of hospitals is deluson. for neither man
ayers nor committees will anything but
dress parades. I would not be understood as init
mating that any great wrongs are concealed. for
SO FAR as nv observation goes the institutions
well managed, but do assert that Charles Reade's
visiting Justices still in the flesh. I should
be pleased to know how much knowledge Governor
Odell obtained the actual inside operations OF
the hospitals in his widely heralded tour last
summer If his Investigations pro-
found than at one of which l have personal knowl-
edge. In this instance he the grounds but
little more than hour and three -fourths of that
time was spent IN the parlor. imbbing-informa-
tion, no doubt
My intimate acquaintance with insane hospitals
Is confined to one of which my wife has been an
inmate for more than two years and l have good
reason TO believe this institution 20 be one of the
best In the State. I know it's physicians from su-
perintendent down, TO be competent. intelligent
and CAREFUL its attendants consldorate and wise
as ie can be attracted by the small pay and smaller
economy in the management of State institutions
but do not think this economy should be practised
upon the food supplies of their inmates and at
tendants to such extent it is. The Lunacy
commission has given much study TO this matter.
and prepares at stated intervals standard ration
allowances evidently based upon the minimum
amount or food which a person can assimilate and
live No doubt this amount of food. properly pre-
but when sgpp @ are sd n foT s
months and losses are incurred through waste
poor preparation is not the ration cut down pro-
entirely?
perience in adjusting these matters. but just hero
Is where We dread giving any more power to the
Will be their inmates So long as The stewards
can keep within the prescribed limits or by iu
dicious pairing save a few dollars TO the State,
/ especially blame them The poWers that be- are T
ordained or the law In this instance, and II be
comfort OF our distressed brothers and sisters
VINO neither by their faut nor our virtue there
instead of us. To do away with their discomforts
and contribute 10 their happiness is the duty Of
the State to whose care they are committed When
We compare the present conditions with those ex-
be proud Of the humanity OF the age; but let us
see to It that there is continuous advancement
for mutual benefit, and II has seemed that
union OF those who have relatives and friends
70 these Institutions to their inmates and to the
State at, at large II any person who chances to
be pleased TO hear from him or her o,o,-
Nvack n Y Jan % 1902 "