The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-03-12
nderpriced Carpets
such cases; in 1898. 10; in 1899, 90; and in

2 j & u i II j - q l-+. u. b. !.
such cases; in 1898. 4o;s in 1899, 90; and in
| 1900, IS. ME
Since March, 1900, when, on account OF
the over-crowded condition of all the hos
pItnls and the accumulation In the jails
OF the insane, many of whom were doubt
less acute and durable cases. the law was
amended so as to prevent harmless de-
the hospitals to the exclusion OF cases
really insane and In urgent need OF
prompt treatment. At that time {iarcll
19Oo) there were nearly four hundred per-
sons. one hundred and seventy-cight OF
whom were negroes, seeking admission to
the hospitals. Since the enactment OF
that law not half so many persons, whose
minds had become enfeebled and bodies
decrepid simply as results Of old age,
have sought or gained residence in this
hospital, and prevented many acute
cases, as formerly, from getting into the
hospitals. I presume the same Is true
as to the hosllptals for the white insane.
Consequently we have been able to re-
ceiye moro promptly than formerly the
acute cases Of lnsanty-before their
malady became chronic and incurable.
Our recovery rate has increased mater
tally, because more promptly case of
insanity Is treated the better are the
chances for recovery. @
BECAME GOOD CITIZENS.
An increased number OF cases. instead
OF being permanent charges upon the
State has been sent forth as producers
and Taxpayers. The law, furthermore,
has tended to make the institution hos
pital in reality as well as in name-a
place for the cure Of mental diseases and
not simply one for custodial care, such as
is a home for the aged and infirm or
poor house.
That insanity In the negro was rarely
known before the Civil War, there Is no
question. At the close of the war there
were about Is insane negroes In the
Eastern Hospital There were doubtless
several kept on the plantations. The
census for 1850 reported POI In the entire
State or one in 5000 Of the general negro
population: in 1860, there were reported
les, or one in nearly Z, 900. Perhaps many
idiots. imbeciles and eplieptics were N.
cluded In those enumerations AT any
rate, those figures are unreliable. There
are about thirty times as many insane
negroes in the State now as there were
In 1865. sS4 4.
From 1880 to the present time the rate
Of increase Of insanity In the negro IN.
this State has been nearly 220 per cent?.
while the negro population has increased
in that period less than two per cent, &C
cording to the census.
From reliable sources, 1t Is clear that
the Increase Of insanity in the negro IN
the other. Southern States has been about
as great as 1t has been In Virginia. me
Superintendent and physicians 81 X !he
other Southern hospitals where the 1ns5
sane negroes are cared for have published
papers showing this conclusvcly. " y
The causes OF this phenomenal increase
of mental diseases In the negro race, may
be summed up about as follows:
It Is a result as we'll as an Indication. of
progressive race degeneration. During
~ y1nr
strict but kind discipline and moral and
regular habits were enforced !; they lived
in clean and hygienc surroundings, were
well fed and nourished with wholesome
food, were comfortably clothed, led sys-4
tematic regular HIVES, had no mental wor-
ries and nnxieties. and no RESPONSIBILITIES RESPONSE,
to speak or. In short their habits, sur
roundings and everyday life were
all conducive to physical health
and strength and contentIncnt.
MASTERS WERE KIND.
Whether from selfish and mercenary or
from humane consldera lions, owners took
tho greatest palms in caring for their
slaves In sickness. the family or planta-
ton doctor being called to- relieve even,
trivial ailments. and at all times their
physical well-being was carefully looked
after. s25s
With emancipation came unchecked SUI
perstitions,4 unbrindled nppetites and pas
sions, dissipation, excuses and vices: bad
habits vlolat ton of tho laws OF health, IT
regular living. Incidence. poverty, privn-
ton, &C., ana as consequence the negro
soon begun to lose vitality, to take on n
weaker constitution. and hence he be-
came ready prey to diseases such as
Insanity and consumption. The respon-
sibiity and mental strain incident to
caring for himself have also becn slsflltl-
cant factors in tho causation OF insanity.
| y1,N-..
tho pressure Of excitement and the wear
and tear of excesses have been too much
for him, Formerly the country or thu
farm was tho abiding place OF most Of
tho negroes There they led an out-doorl
life In pure, hcalth-gving atmospheric
Since the war they have. IN large meas
ure, flocked to the cities and towns and
taken up quarters generally In crowded.
uusanltnry and unhealthy apartments.
where constitutional diseases are readily
contracted and transmitted, Frequently
| their places Of abode are verltabe hot
beds OF degeneracyg Before the war
heredity was not a factor IN the cnusatlon
,of insanity In tho negro, but now thas
predisposing cause has become one u
considerable consequence.
There Is every reason to fear that In
| sanity MS we'll MS tuberculosis IN the mo-
gro Will continue to Increase under exist
Ing conditions, and probably Mt a more
rapid rate than herclotoFo' 70 P'oV'uo
| for this eyer-increaslng army of IRE
sponsible unfortunates is serious problem
which contents the Southern States, both
from Il sociological and an economic
| standpoint. @
As to the increase of insanity IN the
whites, the information and the data
available In the annual reports and else
where show that there has been Increase
out of proportion to the Increase IN tho
general white population.
At the close or the fiscal year. 1870,
there were ISL; 1880 779--a gain or 22S. Oc-
on ,srs 1880 sSsa g g 40 q "a oGto1eT
the hospitals of the State TOR the white
insane. From 1870 to 1850, Z ,76o cases
were admitted to those institutions; from
1890 to 1900, 4os4 were admitted For the
ten years fyom 1850 to $780, go more pa
tents were admitted to the hospitals than
Tor the previous decade; and from 1880 to
1900 sos more than 59p me period 81 be-
these were patients who had been = ,tllas: