The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-10
GOVERNOR DURBIN PRESENT
SUPERINTENDENT AND TRUSTEES
COMMENDED FOR WORK.
DIR. w. b. Fletcher Says the New
Hospital Is the Most Complete
I'm the Country.


for the sick insane, an innovation in insti-
tutions of this character, and the only one
in the country at a State institution. The
assembly included several women who are
practising medicine here, and most of the
city's physicians and number from
throughout the State. They were received
In the administration building of the new
hospital and shown through it, after which
they were assembled in the imposing dining
room attached to the women's department,
and luncheon and coffee were served
The hospital for sick insane does not need
an explanation to the medical profession
To laymen it does. 1t is intended for the
care of those of the LOO inmates of the
Central Hospital who, besides being men,
tally sick, are afflicted with the diseases
that affiict and destroy sane people. Here
tofore such cases have been treated in the
sick wards of the two departments. These
sick wards were not only inadequate, but
improperly provided, and were hopelessly
beyond treatment reconstruction that
would make them satisfactory. The new
hospital is a further step in the advanced
progress of the Central Hospital over the
pathological laboratory which has already
interested the profession Of the country by
its results. 1t is not superior to this path
illogical work, but is a development OF 1t
and necessary practical result.
THE APPROPRIATION.
The Legislature of 1899 appropriated sl10
600 for the purpose of building this hospital,
but the amount was not available until
1901. It's construction was begun in De-
cember, 1900, but the original plans were
not followed, because of the increased
prices of material, and added to this, con-
tractors difficulties caused delay. The
hot
has air and sunlight. In their arrange
ment, which was DR.. Edenharter's idea.
this result has been produced admirably.
There are five buildings in all, situated
northeast of the women's department. The
walls, both exterior and interior, are of
brick. The buildings are two stories in
height, connected with corridors so ar
ranged that one may gain access to the
.ntire building without exposure
The hospital is heated with hot air Great
ed by the fan system with steam coils sup
piled from the general hospital steam plant.
1t is lighted from the power plant and is
supplied with the hospital well water. Its
features are large roof gardens for the
use OF the patients, spacious courts where
they may enjoy open air and sunlight, care
fully arranged apartments. spacious dormi-
tories for the convalescent large rooms.
where, In unfavorable weather, the patients
may rest and read, and, browning all, the
most perfect scullery in the city, and the
most completely equipped surgical operat-
tutions. The kitchens and separate dining
rooms and the operating chambers were
the admiration of every physician present.
All the ingenuity and skill Of the surgical
instrument maker are represented, the
most thorough arrangements have been
made to insure the protection of every
most advanced type. The operating room
Is octagonal, amply lighted and connected
with anterooms for the sterilization of the
instruments, the administration of anaes-
he ~ orfhfa
| atoms and the preparation of the surgeons.
PRONOUNCED TRIUMPH
The physicians who examined the equip
ment and arrangements pronounced the in
stitution triumph for DR.. Edenharter and
the trustees who supported his demands
and a vindication of the Legislature and
state officers who generously recognized
the Importance of work planned. 1t was,
in a measure. revelation to the assembled
| physicians. Not a point had escaped at
| tention. The operating tables are all of
metal and glass and capable of complete
antiseptic treatment.
The equipment of the building was pro-
ylded for by special eSd appropriation pr pr by
other appropriation of 5000 to make proper
| sewerage
At the informal speechmaking that came
| with the coffee and cigars after the lunch
| con Dr. Edenharter and the trustees and
the Legislature and Governor Durbin re-
ceived their full share of praise for the in
| stitution. DR.. w. B. Fletcher, former SUI
| perintendent of the hospital, presided. He
| spoke proudly of the fact that this hos
| pital for the sick insane was the first
| among the state institutions Of the coun-
| try. Nineteen years ago. he said the Revs
Oscar G. McCuloch, Myron w. Reed and
| Major Gordon had stood on the steps of the
Central Hospital and witnessed the de-
| institution. Since that time the institution
| had made constant advance until to-day it
| represented the most advanced type of
| treatment for the insane. The need of this
| hospital was apparent to any one who had
become familiar with the treatment of the
| insane. Most people, he said, imagine that
| insanity is a disease of the mind. Instead,
| he said, Ii was largely a disease of the
body, and by the removal of these bodily
| diseases the restoration of sanity Is ac-
| complished. In 100 cases, he said, so per
| cent. were afflicted with either heart or
| lung trouble as the primary cause of in
| sanity and 50 per cent. with abdominal
! diseases.
NEAR THE SOLAR PLEXUS.
DR.. Fletcher said the Chinese theory that
the seat of the soul was near the solar
pelxus was about right and for that reason
he was gratified that the kitchen of the
new institution was larger that the surgical
| operating room. He believed that 1t was a
mans stomach that regulated his mental
| condition largely; that fast of twenty
four hours would excite the mind just as
the excess of alcoholic stimulant would.
! Diet was as essential as surgery and medi-
cine He expressed the opinion that there
were at least 200 patients in the insane
wards now that could be cured by surgical
| treatment The court yards and roof gar
dens were advantages and the building was
| the best constructed in the country for the
| purposes of light and air.
! In treating patients, DR.. Fletcher said.
| the hereditary causes were examined. In
examining the new institution the same
might be done with profit. To the con-
| science and sense of the Legislature he
| placed a cause. Next TO IL the cause was
| the broad comprehension of the Governor
| and the State officers and their faith in the
| promised results. But the immediate cause
| of the institution was DR.. Edenharter, who
| had planned and developed it, This perora-
| ton was received with great applause aft
er which DR.. Fletcher called on Governor
| Durbin
| GOVERNOR TALKS BRIEFLY.
Governor Durbin said he came not to
talk but TO see and to share the pride of
all in the new building and the work of
the institution. He expressed the heartiest
commentator for the board of trustees
| and DIR. Edenharter. Indiana people are
progressive, he said. and while he remained
chief executive he did not intend that the
State government should ever lag behind
| the people. He was prepared 10 do any