The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-13
VISIT ID GHEEL
 A CITY OF FOOLS Remarkable Town Where Lu- naticS are Cared For "INNOCENIS" ARE HUNDRED Treatment Consists of Kindness and Pleasant Environment-Prov
 Very Successful in
 Long Run.
"INNOCENISH ARE HUNDRED
rom the London Telegraph.

From the London Telegraph.
 have recently visited one of the most remarkable institutions on the conti- nent, situated not far from Antwerp. where the demented are cared for as tenderly as little children. under the supervision of the Belgian government. It Is to be doubted whether the little town of Gheel has been heard of fre- quently outside of Belgium or by others than those directly interested in it's in- stitutions. l am quite sure that the na- ture of the municipality Is quite ignored by all who are not more or less con nected with the care of the insane.
 Gheel, then, is literally town of fools, a town where fools dwell in peace with each other, stroll about the streets, take their monday refreshment at the cafes and go about their daily routine with perhaps more common sense than great many worthy citizens who bear the reputation of being healthy in mind as well as body. The township shelters 1 about 1500 lunatics, who are taken as lodgers by the townsfolk, though all dangerous cases are passed on to out lying villages or confined in the asylum,
 
 treatment of the patients Is but moral one, cures being due to the kindness and tact of the townsfolk. The fees for talk | ing the .innocents, as they are called, I vary from s12 to sl2O per annum, according to the degree of luxury in which the patti ent Is kept. No matter how much he pays, however, he Is the spoiled one of the family. for the people of Gheel under stand the management of insane people better than any other known community or institution. This is due to hundreds of years of experience handed down from father to son. The patient is really the guest of the house. He Is given the arm chair and the best seat at the table, and enjoys the most attention, so that he goes to value the esteem in which he is held to such an extent that he will make the greatest efforts to master hts privileges.
 Children Seem Wise.
 The children of Gheel seem wiser than others. from their contact with their eld- CTS in years, though their equals in brains. Dozens of children may be seen walk ing about hand in hand with great TO- bust men, to whom they chatter in the most familiar manner. In fact. the boarder patient is often told off to take care of the baby of the household, and in most cases he makes an excellent I nurse. Of course, Gheel goes ahead of
 
 dence for "emperors," Kings queens" 'mlllionaires." ''popes, 'archbishops,' gpashas etc., all of whom are fully honored, and given full license to their fancies. One king informs all new corners that he has two left legs, and Is obliged to have his boots and trousers made accordingly. Another old gentle man who thinks himself the Pope of Rome says he Is perfectly able to fly to heaven but that for the moment he was too fast. His landlord humors him to the extent of offering to assist him in making d start from the second floor window, but warns him that he might fall and break his neck, whereupon the Pope" thinks better of his project, and prefers to wait until after tea One younger man Is always on the lookout for q hatchet, because he says he has suddenly grown so stout that he must cut away the doorway in order to get in and out.
 One well-known character accosts strangers in the streets of Gheel with tears in his eyes, asking for protection from some horrible butterfly of gigantic proportions about to attack him and eat his brains out. Another fancies himself d seed and asks to be put into your pocket that the wind may not blow him away Not long ago one of the inno- comets" was in a terrible way because he fancied himself a mustard seed and that the birds were sure to swallow him. His landlord remonstrates by saying Have not told you that you are safe, be- cause birds only eat hemp seed?' and so the unfortunate man becomes quite calm.
 The "oueen of Holland"
 The "Queen of Holland is there in all her imaginary glory When we called l upon her she received us with great pomp, said she regretted that the troops had not been called out in our honor. and then began to sing airs from the best-known operas at the top or her voice. As we left she went to her win dow. gave commands to an imaginary Chamberlain, and pointed to the regi- ments of imaginary troops passing by She is the daughter of high state | functionary in Holland. Another patient thinks himself glass, and so brittle that he avoids coming In contact with any object for fear of breaking.
 At the Gheel inns the landlords show the greatest politeness and consideration toward the 'innocents.' humoring all their fancies and often appearing to carry out the realization of some of their wild fancies. The spectacle Is curious one, and a visit to Gheei as strange as Alices visit to Wonderland
 While 1t has it's amusing side there Is the pitiful as we'll and the tenderness, tact and good will shown to the simple minded folk, the entire absence of all restraint. would astonish our own latest and up-to-date asylum arrangements. Mind specialists are visiting Gheei now from all over the world, and partients are there from as far away as New York Many come from Germany, France and Holland, and all doctors who have visit ed the institution are deeply impressed by the efficacy of the treatment. which is one of mere kindness and tact Many cpres are pronounced, and during treat ment all the patients appear perfectly contented I have talked with many who express the greatest affection TOT their hosts, and sing nothing but praise of the town in which they live. There IS in the town q well-appointed asylum Tor dangerous cases under the supervision of state doctors, who also regularly Visi'