Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-09
CHANGE IN METHODS
Reforms Begun, at Washing
ton Asylum Hospital.
CARE OF THE INSANE
BETTER PROVISION TO BE MADE
FOR THE SUSPECTS.
Workhouse for Women Inspected With
View to Changes There
Feeding Patients.
CARE OF THE INSANE

| and mana cement in vogue at the Washine-
ton Asylum has already been commenced
1t is stated. under the direction OF Mr..
| Louis f. Zinkhan. who assumed charge Oh
the institution as It's superintendent the lst
| of June. Commissioner West, who has SUI
pervision of the asylum, late yesterday
afternoon called at the institution ana, IN
company with Mr.. Zinkhan, made an III
spection of the various departments. AS
| the result of the inspection yesterday anu
| of the previous inspections made by Mr.
Zinkhan during the past week, seVerai
| changes in methods and management VIII
| likely be inaugurated there WITHIN shoi'
time.
One of the most important changes pro-
posed will be with reference to the care
| at the institution of persons suspected Oh
| insanity In the past, it is stated, persons
suspected of insanity have been sent oy the
police and by relatives and friends 10 tho
Washington Asylum Hospital Tor opserFa-
tion At this institution, it Is also stated,
there are but two wards which are In any
way suitable for OBTAINING persons OF uli
sound mind. and since large numoeL VI
suspects are frequently sent TO the nos
pital at the same time. these waros are
overcrowded, and the conditions resulting
are understood to be very unsatisfactory.
The need of additional accommodations
for persons suspected of insanity was emu.
phasized at the institution Tuesday night
when George Brittenhan. powerful col
o-ed man. became violent and created con-
| siderable commotion at the hospital.
Patient Becomes Violent.
Brittenhan, it is stated. was sent to the
Washington Asylum by the police OF the
fifth precinct early in the week. When ne
arrived there the two detention wards were
already crowded. one of them containing
six patients and the other three patients.
Brittenhan was placed in a ward contain
ing the three patients. Tuesoay hisut,
however he started on a rampage, and py
some means managed to get out or ais
cell He leaped over the banlsters 10 the
floor below, but fortunately was not III
jured. IT,,
Before the attendants could get to him
the colored man regained his feet ana start
ed for the grounds surrounding the hospi-
tai. The ground was muddy ana snpPery'
but he gave the attendants hard chase
around the lot before he was captured ana
overpowered and taken back to his ward.
| Late in the night Brittenhan again sue
ceeded in getting out of his cell and wan
dered into the corridor. when he picked up
a stool and made break for the doctor.
the lady nurse and the attendant. threaten
| ing to kill all three persons. By the exer-
else of tact and diplomacy the insane man
was finally induced to go back in his cell
| and he was then strapped to his bed.
/ Yesterday the man was quiet. and late
yesterday evening Sanitary Officer Frank
pital for the Insane.
Conference Ordered.
Commissioner West has directed Mr..
| George Wilson, secretary to the board of
charities, to confer with Superintendent
Zinkhan for the purpose of devising some
means to remedy the conditions with re-
spect to care for insane suspects at the
Washington asylum. Mr.. Zinkhan believes
| that the best way would be to build sep
arate detention hospital for this class Of
patients, but since there Is no appropriation
available for that purpose, II Is, Of course,
impossible to do that this year. In the abb
sence of funds to provide a new building.
Mr.. Zinkhan suggests that In order to tenn
pOrarily relieve the unsatisfactory condt-
lions, a series Of detention or observation
wards be fitted up in the hospital and a
corps of attendants be furnished to look
after the insane suspects. 1t is stated that
many insane suspects are sent to the hos
pital from the workhouSe and from the
police stations, and as they must remain on
observation for about two weeks in most
cases, the two wards at the hospital are
not sufficient to accommodate all the pa
TENTS in proper manner.
Commissioner West and Mr. Znkhan also
inspected the workhouse for women yes
terday afternoon. This Is a four-story
building occupied by the female offenders
against the laws of the District and the
United States. There are usually large
number of women in this building, and 1t
was ascertained there are no provisions for
protection against fire In the structure. Mr..
Zinkhan today made requisition, which
was approved by Commissioner West, for
supply of fire extinguishers and small
hose to be installed in the building. 1t is
stated that the water pipes near the build
ing will also be tapped for connection with
fire plugs to be placed near the building.
Another Change to Be Made.
A change in the manner of feeding the
inmates of the institution will also prob
ably be made Heretofore 1t has been the
custom to feed the patients out of tin boxes
passed to the men In the cells. 1t Is pro-
posed that In the future tables be laid in
the corridors and the inmates be allowed
to eat at these tables. This latter plan
is regarded as more economical and salts
factory, and it will give the attendants an
opportunity to more closely observe the
prisoners and inspect their cells.
It Is also suggested that the attendants
and employees at the Washington Asylum
be uniformed while on duty at the instftu-
ton This proposition has not as yet been
fully discussed, but 1t Is not improbable
that uniforms will be adopted before many
months elapse
Brittenhan's Arrest.
Commissioners West today obtained from
the police department additional informa-
ton relative to the apprehension Of George
Brittenhan, the insane colored man. and
the circumstances surrounding his commit
ment to the Washington Asylum Hospital
The police stated that after midnight last
Monday night they found Brittenhan wan
dering about the streets declaring he was
being prosecuted by persons DESTROYS of
taking his life. The man was allowed to
go to his home. but early Tuesday morn
| ing his relatives requested the police to
| take him away.
The officers of the fifth precinct called
Drs. Marbury and Vale, the police surgeons
and after examining the suspect the ply
sicians stated that they were unwilling to
issue certificate of insanity, but they rec
commended that he be watched. The police
thereupon sent the man to the Washington
Asylum Hospital for detention and observa-
ton Brittenhan came to Washington from
South Carolina about one year ago. He is
twenty-six years old.
Need of Separate Quarters.
1t is pointed out that there is no regularly
appointed place in the District in which to
confine persons temporarily suspected of In
sanity AS a consequence, it is stated,
nearly all the insane suspects are herded
into the wards at the Washington Asylum
IJoSpifal II is believed that persons SuS-