Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-06-30

some of the attendants to prevent pa.
tients from talking TOO much. and as
a means of punishment.
vi.
tY j N.9.er. tuo and plunge
baths have been administered to pa.
tients by attendants, sometimes tying
the patients hands and ducking the
head in the. water. and at the same
time lifting the feet above the water.
In one case a patient was thrown
in tub Of cold water with his clothes
on. The cold water shower bath was
also used frequently to quiet patients,
and as a means Of punishment. be-
cause the patient had done some
things which the attendants did not
approve of.
In the male department there is not
evidence to satisfy me that
the steward had any knowledge of
these unusual and cruel punishments
being administered to patients, but
the evidence is clear that his inferior
employees, such as attendants, were
the parties directly responsible for
them.
In many cases it has also been
shown that patients were placed in
straight jackets and strapped to the
beds. and strapped to cell doors, either
standing s6f. sittins. down, or placed
in their cells.
#.,iA.sz~aa sss,s' - 49,.
The nam point OF difference. how
ever, between the majority of the com
mittee and myself is in our findings as
to the treatment of female patients.
The majority Of the committee In their
report say, Your committee finds
that there was no beating, striking OF
choking OF the female patients, and
no unnecessary violence used In
throwing them to the floor, nor were
they dragged by the hair; nor were
enfeebled patients subject to improper
exertiOns. They were occasionally
strapped to the door as a proper meas
ure of restraint, but without unneces
sary violence" And they also find
The present matron is in nowise
open to censure or criticism in hel
official capacity"
To this finding of the majority
can not subscribe, nor can agree with
them.
The evidence shows that the present
matrOn Of the insane asylum, who !,
at the head OF the female department
and only second in authority to thu
medical superintendent, not only sane
toned the unusual. cruel and inhumar
treatment OF some Of the female pa
tients, but In many cases she was pre-
sent and directed and ordered her in
ferior attendants TO administer sucl
treatment to patients. These treat
4. In placing patient, "Felicita,
in cell bare foot. with no othe
clothing on than IN under garment
tying her with her back to the eel
door, with strap about her ches
and raising the window Of her cell {,
the outside 80 as to let the cold nj
blow upon her while tied In that con
|dition. This treatment of "Felicita
lasted for about from one hour to al
hour and half every evening TO
| from two TO six weeks. and until
short time before her death.
2. In throwing patients down an
requiring OF the attendants. or tam
patients, to sit on the patient unit
she promised to be good.
3. In striking and beating patients
In one instance striking the patien
with bunch OF keys and chain use
for carrying said keys.
4. In placing the knee on the pi
tient while down on the floor, at tn
same time taking the patient by tn
throat and choking her with the han,
s. In administering cold shove
baths and plunge baths as a punIsl
ment for some past offense such a
the throwing Of a piece Of apple b
the patient on the foor. and then rul