The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-07

three weeks. When this is done it will
relieve the situation very materially.
Il visited the laundry and sewing room,
and found perhaps a dozen patients at
work. l think employment of the patients
might be carried to greater extent with
advantage. 1t is recognized as a com
mendable characteristic of any institu-
tion to find a good proportion of the pa
tients employed. 1t is "A great aid 20
treatment and tends to improve the pa
tients in every way. OF course the en-
ployment should be adapted to the con-
dition of the patient.
Il noted the proportion of attendants
to patients and in some instances 1 think
there should be a moderate increase.
Particularly is this true of the night
force in charge of the untidy and dis
turbed classes. l would suggest that at
least one additional attendant be en-
ployed in the male department for the
special purpose of looking after the un-
tidy patients and making the necessary
changes during the night.
II would also suggest that there be
little more liberal supply of bedding, that
some of the pillows particularly be re-
newed, and that better grade of mat
tresses should be furnished especially
to the better class of patients. While
the plumbing was very defective. there
was no especial odor in the lavatories or
closets. I think it would be reasonable
to ask a rather better arrangement in
the way of water closet facilities for the
untidy classes in some Of the detached
buildings. This class will not take care
proper care of them should be rather bet
ter than is now provided there.
Il was also somewhat impressed with
the rather insufficient supply of water
and the danger that would result in case
of fire. The addition of a dozen or so
chemical fire extinguishers in the wards
would. it seems to me. be quite an ad-
vantage, as most fires that occur in such
institutions can be extinguished. without
much difficulty with proper facilities
when they are first discovered.
Take it all in ALL l found that the i'm
mediate management of the institution
was evidently interested in providing
proper care so far as their facilities af-
ford it. and were humane and thoughtful
in looking after the patients. The medi-
other institutions of this character that
1 have seen. The patients. I was inform
ed. were out of doors at least twice every
day during good weather. and they had
the appearance of considerable amount
Of outdoor exercise. I think a little moro
liberal supply Of furniture in the better
male wards would be serviceable and
could be furnished without much expense
10 the management. If some OF the
benches were replaced by chairs, I think
the effect would be decidedly for the bet
ter and the patients made more comfort
able.
The beverage seemed to be satisfac-
tory at the time Of my visit. l noticed no
odor from the cess-pool TO which Il
flowed, and was informed that there hae
been no complaint from this source FOR
some little time.
some criticism might be made as 10
the classification. but with the number
Of patients that the NINA cement his now
TO provide for do not see how any i'm
provement can be made IL this respect.
with the additional building, vhicn viii
have two wards in it, there can De con
siderable benefit derived from a =e-ar-
rangement OF the classes
1T is unfortunate that the institution
must receive epHeptics. idiots and imbe-
Giles Of al ages. ! found a few children
in one or two oT the wards which. of
course. it is rot advisable TO keep among
the adult insane. You viii best know
whether any ether arrangements can bt
made under present conditions IN tie ter
ritory that would be any better. These
children. may say. were apparently wen
taken care Of and comfortable.
~As 70 the amount of restraint used. I
do not think il exceeded that ordinarily
used Ia Institutions of this character
with a Ike number q patients. I ghink
there were but three patients in restraint
when / was there. and the form used was
the nilaest possible. being simply q
leather belt about the waist and wrist
let's fastened to this. which Souid alioE
cf considerable movement of the hanfr
found one patient al night n a covered
crib. The patient vas taIkative and rezt-
less and IL was thought necessary q
keep him IN ihe CRIB IN order 70 keep hin
IL bod / found one ether patient with
hand-cuns en- az night au1 u was state1
that fhfs wss necessary bscauEe tne pa
tlert Rad broken oat throEEh Eir-
dow q feW months ago ard Oh reacfius
ho-ae had proven IN ~ quite dAcsr-oa-
10 hls relatives Tbs = q r.inizaa-
amount of restraint sho-,s Say. 3
ne number CO persons neE Uu9s- eazf
az TIE instItasiaa-
-.T10th she 5sssaaess rnanase- ard -
rszteeut aayzlesan Impressed uss a. besr@
irsefiisszt ard eapzose rsen- Eifs eaz-
siderable expe<ssnce N the woyk and iE-