The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-09-28

from u. 3. Newton, ESQ. an attorney
at-law of Hope Mills, a former p1
tent, and the other from George M
Lindsay Esq, an attorney-at-laW, Oh
Snow Hill, who was also a patient OF
this institution, and is now at home on
| probation.
One of the first acts of the board,
on assembling. was to request, by wire,
| the attendance of Mr. Newton. He
answered that he would appear on
Friday, the 18th inst But the board,
| having finished the examination of all
witnesses, except Mr.. Newton, by
Thursday night, did not thing it adj
visable to remain in session to await
| his arrival, since we had, as far as
we could, enquired into the alleged
| i'll treatment of certain patients nam
, ed by him.
The Lindsay Case.
"Mr. Lindsay, in response to our
request, appeared, and his testimony
will be found among the voluminouS
evidence herewith transmitted. We
made = careful examination of his
case, and conclude, from the testi-
mony of DR.. E. B. Ferebec, assist
ant physician and Mr.. Brown, head
nurse, given under oath, that on Mr..
Lindsays arrival at the hospital, in
nervous condition, noisy and irritable.
! The weather, being very warm, Dr.
Ferebee prescribed for him tepid
bath, which was given with beneficial
results to the patient, soothing, quiet
| ing effects; that on a return of his
eXcita bility, the bath was repeated by
Mr.. Brown, the head nurse. The pa
tient violently resisted the admins
| tration of these baths. Mr.. Brown
admits that the patients hands were
, tied with a towel, but declares that
his legs were not tied, and that the
combining of his hands was done not
for the purpose of humiliating him.
but kindly, for the purpose of keeping
him from injuring his arms against the
bath tub, and was necessary for that
purpose. That the patients (Lind-
says head was not held under water
as he alleges.
Mr.. Lindsay began to improve rap
idly under the treatment he received
and was, within three weeks from the
! date of his admission to the hospital
allowed to go home on probation, and
on leaving the institution, according
. to the testimony of Dr. Jenkins spoke
in highest terms of praise of the kind
treatment he had received at the hos
ptal; and at that time made no COM
SkillfuI and Humane Treatment.
1--WE examined, upon oath, sepa-
rately, every officer and employee of
the hospital who came in contact with
any of the patients and we found
nothing, with the exception of the Nall
case, that indicated that the employees
and officers We're not obedient to the
bylaws, rules and regulations of the
a WI
full and humane treatment but most
kind consideration of the patients
feelings. That during the several
years of the present administration
of the affairs of the hospital, we find
evidence of but very few infractions
of the rules. regulations and bylaws
governing the conduct of employees
towards patients, and these have in
variab bly, been followed by prompt dis
misSal, from the service of the inSti
tuition, of the tranSgressOrs. 1t is
the duty of all employees to report
to the superintendent any unusual,
harsh, or cruel treatment of patients
by any one and any employee falling
to report such infractionS 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 excep
ton of the Nall case, there have been
reported but two cases of indignities
beng offered patients. One of these
was the use of profane language
to patient and the other
was the striking of a patient, while
out at work, with q small switch by
an attendant. whoi was promptly dis
missed The former denied the charge,
but offered his resignation, which was
accepted.
Affairs il Good Condition.
''In our opinion the affairs of this
institution have never been in a better
condition. The patients are well fed
WE'LL clothed and receive the best skill
of the medical staff, supported by
we'll trained attendants. On our visits
through the building we frequently
find but one or 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 trees. No mechanical restraint is
ever used in this hospital, except can
vass sleeves, which restrain the hands
and prevent the actually violent in
sane from injuring themselves and
other patients, and from tearing their
clothes from their bodies. At this
time only two patients are wearing
them, one, male, suffering from
homicidal maria, who, while out at
walk, has made repeated Efforts to kill
his attendants with rock the other
a female, who has to have her hands
restrained to prevent her from tearing
the clothing from her body and from
the bodies Of other patients. No crib,
cuff, muff, belt, camisolo bed strap, or
anklet is ever used in this instruction
1--WE file herewith a copy of the
Bylaws Rules and Regulations now
in force in the hospital, which will
show the rigid discipline governing
all officers and employees, especially
as to their conduct towards the pa
ltients.
1.-THE Board of Directors serve this
institution without any pecuniary re-
Enumeration whatever our only re-
ward being the consciousness that we
are ameliorating the condition of the
insane placed in our charge, and using
our best endeavors to secure ample
accommodations for ever insane per-
son in our beloved State.
Need of Additional Room.