New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13

Al tho Cralr Colony for Epileptics Sonyea, n Il
a determined effort is being made TO discover the
real cause and Of epilepsy. Having demon
ssrated through the medium Of the colony. that
epileptcs not only be greatly benefited, but
in some case. actually cured, by correct living
the State of New-York has taken a step that is
attracting tho general attention OF leaders IN
medical science.
The last session % the legislature granted per
mission for an expert pathologist 10 be added 10
the stan at Craig Colony. who should attempt
20 ind out Just what causes epilepsy and how II
- may be cured. Dr. b. Onuf. Russian. who has
ihDeen IN this country about fifteen years was
Vappointed 10 the place on the STAFF
''Our Investigations here ~ the colony. SAID
Dr william p spratling medical superintendent
prove that patients have the greatest number
Of seizures about O'Clock in the morning. That
is the period Of day when the vitality is lowest
and this leads us to believe that there is some
thing IN the system something in the blood. some
poison that lays hole upon the organism when
vitality is at its lowest ehb, resulting IN ht
or. ~ We term g. seizure
Years AGO an that people knew about epilepsy
Was that 81 was a terrible disease that affected
the brain. but one seemed 10 know just what
should done. That there is some poison in the
system OF an oplepuc that is responsible In a
large degree for his FITS or seizures. We are con-
vinced. There is poison in the sweat Of such
person or this we are sure for mice injected
with it have cied. Vow we purpose 10 find out
what this poison is. u will be the duty Of the
hope of locating and classifying this mysterious
poison
should the Efforts being put forth sonyea
result IN success and cure for epilepsy be dis
covered the State Of New-York will have worked
q worldwide good. for epilepsy is an ancient
disease and statistics show that il is on the
Increase. Some OF the greatest the world
has known have been victims Of the disease
casar undoubtedly epileptic. Appan's
Roman history makes mention Of his being subject
So F~frF soTfx- IN Las
wears NJ his life. and il is said THAT he was seized
with the sickness I'm times Of battle.
Professor William NJ. Sloane, Of Princeton,
author ~ The life of Napoleon expressed the
heller that Napoleon epileptic. Many other
great men have been victims % the disease.
statlstics show that there Is epleptic 20
every seo In the population of this country
between li0Oo and 1900 in New-York State alone.
by spratling. who is one Of the recognized su-
thorities epilepsy. says that not only is the
disease in this country than in
Europe. but that u Is on the increase here. A
good idea Of the prevaency OF the disease in this
State he had from the fact that. with sac
patients present being treated at Craig Colony.
there no the waiting list who can
not he admitted because the present capacity Of
the institution has been reached. OF THE number
4ec have filed formal applications for entry ~
the earliest moment, while the other go, now in
homes and private sanatoriums, have been advised
not to file applications there is not the slightest
until sters have been taken toward increasing the
capacity. or the $40 patients at present IN the
colony 1o3 are men and S5 women. ard they come
from every county In the State.
Craig Colony is OF the most novel institutions
IN the country n not in the world in that it is
one of the few great ones where the colony idea
has been adapted 10 the furtherance OF charitable
work
The colony is the only institution OF its kind in
this country. tlcugh the State OF Pennsylvania
has only recently appropriated LARGE sum OF
money Tor the establishment OF similar insitu-
ton. and In Illinois. Indiana. Virginia Michigan.
Texas. New-Jersey and Kansas the question OF
establishing colonies for epilepucs is under con-
slderstion.
Craie Colony modelled after the famous German
colony al Bielefeld. Hanover. estab-
ished In Issl. and has been growing steadily in
size and On importance since. There 1900
acres ~ land included in the colony tract. which
r. IN the township OF Grovcland. and which was
bought from community of Shakers. Some OF
the old Shaker buildings still standing and
one % them. Tetchworth Han. Is still used a
Craig president OF the State Board Of Charities at
tie time the colony founded and the credit for
tire naming OF the institution IL given 70 Governor
Flower. who. having vetoed the bin for the
establishment 81 the colony Was Induced 10 pay
visit the proposed location. He well
pleased with what no saw that he agreed II is
said 10 give new bin Tor the establishment Of the
colony his support condition that the colony be
named for his friend oscar craig
The colony Is "a city IN itself. being removed from
any large city the largest town being Mount Nor
re four miles away The men and the women
patients live IN large cottages capable OF holding
bout tVrentv-eght occupants. The residence por-
t'cn" Of the village Is. however. divided by a
raj gorge on one side Of which the mems
brlcings. while the women are on the other The
cottages erected thus far attractive and
well kept Torty-fouT buildings. tWenty-two for
men and TWENTY-FIVE for women are planned. or
this number four have been built FOR men and
eleven for women thus far
The rnen's buildings grouped about the Village
green and the idea OF city beautiful has been
carried out IN the names that have been chosen.
The cottages are all named Cor trees. as follows:
Beech Birch walnut and willow.
The xomen's buildings are known as the villa
Flora eroup. 50 called because n large main build
ing T. known as villa Flora. while all the other
cottages grouped about q ere named for flowers.
GINSENG Aste-. Biuet Rainia- saxifrage. Lobelis,
NaloV. Jessamine. Primrose and Byzantine
All TIE work % the colony is performed by pa
tents. There Is a well organized corps % white
wings whose duty n is 10 look after the streets.
Men patients perform all the mending and other
work IN the big tailor shop. Women patients work
an the laundry and seamsvesses while big
gang OF pa tents works I'm the fields and
den- In the Sloyd school the Young boys in the
community learn a trade
The secret OF scheme" SAID Or. Sprsfling.
- home lifo. Eere in this colony there