The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-03

very Few iUlFdclloIS OF the rules, reg
ulations and bylaws governing the
conduct of employees towards patients,
and these have invariably been follow
ed by prompt dismissed from the SER
vice Of the institution, of the trans
greSsOrs. Ii is the duty of all en-
ployees TO report to the superintendent
any unusual, harsh, or cruel treatment
Of patients by any one, and any en-
ployee failing to report such ~infraction
OF the rules as come to his or her
knowledge is summarily dismissed
from the service, though he or she may
not have been guilty OF any other
breach Of said rules.
As a matter Of fact, we find from the
testimony that, with the exception of
the Nall case, there nave been reported
but two cases Of indignities being Of
fered patients. One of these was the
use of profane language to a patient.
and the other was the striking of q
patient, while out at work, with a
small switch by an attendant, who
was promptly dismissed The former
denied the charge, but offered his
resignation, which was accepted.
In our opinion the affairs of this in
stitution have new been in IA better
condition. The patients are fell fed,
we'll clothed and receive the best skill
of the medical staff, supported by well
trained attendants. On our visits
through the building we frequently
find but one Dr. two patients in many
of the wards, the others being out in
the fresh air, either at light beneficial
work, or resting under the shade of the
tracS No rnaaha nicat raStf-aint iS QyQr
used in this hospital, except canvass
sleeves, which restrain the hands and
prevent the actually violent insane
from injuring themselves and other
patients, and from tearing their clothes
from their bodies. At this time only
two patients are wearing them, one, a
male, suffering from homicidal mania,
who, while out at walk, has made re-
peated efforts to kill his attendants
with a rock: the other Il female, who
has to have her hands restrained to
prevent her from tearing the clothing
from her body and from the bodies Of
ether patients. No crib, cuff, muff,
belt, camisole, bed strap, Or anklet is
ever used in this institution
We file herewith a copy Of tn BY
laws, Rules and Regulations now in
force in the hospital, which will show
the rigid discipline governing all OIL
GERS and employees, especially as to
their conduct toward the patients.
The board of directors serve this in
stitution without any pecuniary re-
enumeration whatever. Our only re-
ward being the consciousness that we
are a~meliOrating the condition Of the
insane placed in charge, and using
our best endeavors to secure ample &C
commodatiOns for every insane person
in our beloved state.
The hspitaI is filled to it's utmost ca
pacity. There is not q vacant room,
and yet there ome up that distress
ing cry that somebody's loved one is
languishing in Jail, not because of any
crime, but because of that heaviest OF
all Affections. Our hearts go out III
tender pity for all those whose afflicted
loved ones are denied the benefits of
hospital treatment, because OF It's OVer
crowded condition. We long for the
day t. come when the state will pro-
vide accommodations for every deserv-
ing insane person within her borders.
The legislature at its last session made
an appropriation for an additional
building at this hospital, which is be-
ing erected with all possible speed,
and which, when completed, Will &C
commodate one hundred more patients.
This will indeed be glad tidings to
those whose afflicted ones have had to
be confined in common Jais for their
own safety and the safety of others.
We desire to correct an
report that the first days proceedings
of the board in this investigation We're
in the nature of an executive session.
No reporter. Or other, applied to us for
admission to the session Of the board
on that day: but, on the second day,
reporters did apply and were promptly
admitted. This erroneous report was
caused by a reporter enQuiring by tel
ephone of the steward if the session
was open to the public, who replied
that the board was in executive ses-
sion. This was an honest error on
the part of the steward, as the board
excluded all the officers of the institu-
ton from its session so as not to have
them present when the s~ubordinates
should be examined, therefore, he
naturally inferred that there was an
executive session.
The state of North Carolina has dur
ing more than half of a century BIZ
annually appropriated out of her treas
ury tens and hundreds of thousands of
dollars to be expended in the proper
maintenance, comfort and, if possible,
cure of her unfortunate insane; and
this board would not for one moment
tolerate anything, savOring Of, much
less amounting 10 neglect, insult Or
cruelty to a patient. Upon whom the
hand Of affiiction is heavily laid. no
one shall with impunity add n little.
If, in the opinion Of this board. any
officer, attendant or employee had been
remiss by commission or omission in
his or her high duty to the states un-
fortunates. in his or her care Or keep
ing. this board would visit upon that
one, high or low. without fear or favor,
the extreme penalty within its power.
The one who by negligence adds to the
sufferings of an insane person is a
dangerous derelict: who Intentionally
i'll uses one, it were base fiattery to