The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-04
INSANE AND EPILEPTICS.
Bulletin Issued by the State Board Of
Charities.

The BOARD of State Charities has issued
bulletin showing the number of insane per-
sons in Indiana and the need of a separate
institution to care for epileptics. The bulle-
tin is all abstract from the forthcoming
annual report. 1t says:
1.-The records of our office show 4,703 in
sane persons. This is the number of insane
in Indiana in public institutions or VINO
have been adjudged insane and not adj
United to the hospitals. 1t is compiled from
special reports and from information from
the county clerks, who have kindly aided
us in our Inquiry 1t does not include any
who may be in private institutions. Few
our hospitals for the insane in a single
year. AT the beginning of the fiscal year
for insane 1851 patients. During the year
which has just closed 1,093 were received
and 1.015 were discharged or withdrawn.
The number enrolled at the close of the
pitfalls for insane 37i9-1,TS men and 1871
women. Adding to this the 200 who are out
on furlough. gives 4.039. the total enroll
ment in those institutions. The poor asy-
lums have the next largest number-5lS OF
these, 153 are reported by the superintend-
ents as never having been legally adjCdged
insane. Their standing, therefore, is prob
lematical. Probably many of them are
feeble-minded or have other mental defect
There are at home or with friends 1l6 per-
sons who have been regularly declared in
insane persons are reported confined in
jails Aug. 81, 1902. This is a disgraceful
thing. When further inquiry shows that
some of these persons have been in con-
finement in Jail for long periods of time
we realize how shameful our treatment of
them has been Few jails have any facili-
ties for caring for insane. One cannot
properly describe how uncomfortable and
pitiable the condition of the insane in Jail
is. Some of them, in their violence or de-
structive frenzy, wreck the furniture and
tear to shreds their clothing. In a nude
condition they shiver through the period of
excitement, frequently, no doubt, suffering
greatly.
1--WE are told by expert alienists that the
confinement of the acutely insane in Jail
is always harmful. Even in the police
station in Indianapolis there is no pro-
vision for insane. The pitiable condition of
some of these unfortunates who have been
confined there. awaiting the action of the
commission or transfer to the insane hos
daily papers.
1T is we'll known that the possibility of
cure in durable cases of insanity is much
greater II the patients are promptly treat
ed when they are affected. Experience
proves II the patient can be treated in a
month or two after the disease is discovered
that the chances for recovery are many
times what they are IL treatment is post
poned nine twelve months. Therefore
unless We are prepared to treat the acute
cases promptly, we are consignfng to
chronic insanity those who come too late
and thereby are adding TO the public bur-
den. 1t Is the part both of humanity and
of economy to provide prompt treatment for
every insane person
THE State has assumed the duty of car
ing for all its insane population 1t has
never fulfilled the obligation II assumed.
Our people should see that faith IL kept
on behalf OF these unfortunates who can
not care for themselves We must see that
this v done. Tor they cannot Couptjpg the