The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-06-05
INSANE BECAUSE
PACE IS TOO HOT
MANY IMMIGRANTS FIND NEW
LIFE ER-STRENUOUs
Increase Of Mental Disorders in Min
nesota Due in Part to That Cause
Specialist in Nervous Diseases Also
Declares That Philanthropy Is, in a
Way, Responsible.

. Why is insanity on the increase in
Statistics issued by the board Of con-.
troll show that in the past ten years
mental disorders have increased at a
greater ratio than the population Of the
state. These facts are confirmed by
Minneapolis specialists in nervous dis
eases who, in their practice, study the
cause.
"There are three general causes for
the increase of insanity said DR.. Leo
NJ, Crafts today: IN the first place,
wherever portion of community is
| composed Of immigrants it will be
found that there are more insane among
their number than among the natives.
In the east insanity is found to be on
the increase among the Irish immi-
grants. The. same is true Of the Ger
mans, altho they are a moro phleg-
matte people and are less easily affected.
In Minnesota the great increase Is
among the Scandinavians. This is easily
accounted for by the fact that the i'm
migrants are transported from their
quiet hamlet homes to a strange country.
They have to change their mode OF life,
learn new language, and come IN con;
tact with keen competition. The result
is that those who are not equipped phys
ically and mentally for the revolutions
airy change in their lives, break down
and become insane. 49,,
"The strenuousness Of modern life
and modern conditions also affects the
lives of everyone. There is no stop,
everyone keeps moving and those who
are, unfit are crushed, Children e1a are are
standard for the dull being the same
as that for the brightest. When the
children finish school they rush into
business where the competition is keen;
er than ever. The result is the survival
Of the fttest. But what Of the unfor
J, dowments? Many of them are founc
in the insane institutions or are cared
for by their friends. .s..s .. ~.
"In the pioneer days there was not
so much insanity, it is true, but the set
tiers were prepared for the hardy life
The effect was not necessarily shown II
that generation, but in, the succeeding
This will be found to be true Of any
community. When it increases in agt
the fibers Of strength weaken thru vari
, GUS natural causes. -.
"The third reason, strange as it may
seem, is due in part to philanthropy ant
is one which our legislators could abcl
ish:. Before the world became as civil
pathic patients were considered as quee
people and were allowed to drift abou
for themselves or were taken care Of by
/ their friends. Modern philanthropy,
now takes up the cases. The physician
:. refers his case to the probate court, ane
the patient is taken to an asylum where
; he or she is treated and in many case.
cured. The result is that they go bacl
to their homes, marry and bring chill
dren into the world. The children real
ly have but half a chance as they do no
Inherent the strength necessary to NEE
| life. That generation helps to fill tn
} insane asylums. In past days the in
sane could not marry, of course, AM
their weakness died with them. Their
a should be some regulation whereby tn
5 weak-minded should not bea allowed t.
r propagate. .r.~,+
! I" 1t may be of surprise to some PEG
: pie to know that there averages but on
This means that Hennepin county i
sending more than 300 patients ever.
year to the insane asylums.