New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-01


may mark in the modern treatment
OF the insane has been successfully carried out
by the director Of the State Hospital for the In
sane in this city during the last six months
and its results have been such to attract the
attention of alienists throughout the whole
country. Its object Is the cure, at least bet
terment, of acute by means Of outdoor
living and occupation. The experiment was sug-
scsted by Dr. Frederick Peterson, president Of
the State Commission IN Lunacy, and is now
being followed by DR.. Eugene H Howard, d.
rector of the Rochester State Hospital. DR..
Howard in his report, Will recommend the con-
unuation Of the summer cottage plan, as he
calls 1t, and it is considered probable tina the
State Commission will recommend the purchase
of sixty acres Of available land on the shore
of Lake Ontario for the construction Of per-
manent open air sanatorium.
Two reasons worked toward the initiation OF
the idea One was the overcrowded condition
Of the State Hospital itself; the other was the
desire to put to the proof the benefits claimed
for the outdoor system of treatment by many
eminent psychopathists Of Europe and espe-
cially of Holland, where the method has been
In use for several years. AS regards the crowd
ed condition of the Rochester hospital, and that
also of ali the other State institutions. the cause
for it is found in the yearly increase in the num-
Der Of the insane in this State. 1t may not be
generally known, but this constant swelling of
the ranks of these unfortunates averages six
hundred cases a year, and hospital enlargement
is the cry Of every annual report submitted to
the State commission. The Rochester hospital
has gradually increased in size until now 1t en-
braces FOUR or five large buildings, and still re-
Quires more space. The modern idea of insane
thera peutics requires segregation Of the differ
ent types Of the disease. The chronic cases are
81 hoe al -ha 70
cases in another, and the disturbed" more
violent cases, in still another. Much depends
upon suggestion in the handling Of the insane,
and the reason for this separation is easily APP
parent With this general view of conditions
and theories. the satisfaction with which the
success of this latest experiment has been greet
ed can be understood.
DR.. Peterson's suggestion Immediately
carried out by DR.. Howard. There was some
difficulty experienced in obtaining lease of
satisfactory land, the farmers in the neghbor
hoOl being chary of allowing an insanity camp
30 near their homes At last. however, a beau
tiful piece of farm land was obtained in the
town OF Webster, about fifteen miles northeast
OF Rochester. Although the property is much
more extensive, only six acres were leased.
These included fine old fashioned homestead.
with dozen broad fireplaces; good barns, an
excellent garden and, best of ALL long, undu-
lating frontage on Lake Ontario and a gently
sloping, sandy beach for bathing and boating
AS soon as the lease was executed and posses
sion given DR. Howard sent down corps of
hospital attaches, with several patients, to make
preparations for the inmates This accom-
plished the selection Of the patients began. No
one was forced to go. Invitations were extended
with tact and caution. The response was lively
and soon about thirty had expressed a desire to
accept These were taken down, and for the
remainder Of the summer this number was
maintained. as it just comfortably filed up the
accommodations. The patients were received
in parties Of three four, in charge OF a
nurse. Some stayed only a few days; others for
week. In a few cases the patients were
brought back almost Immediately. the period
Of each ones stay being governed by close
observation Of The effects the change was pro-
ducing.
Speaking generally" said DR.. Howard. "the
good results were highly gratifying. For ex-
ample there was one patient, a woman who had
been afflicted with melancholia, and was con-