Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-09
rs A CITY OF FOOLS
A BELGIAN TOWN POPULATED BY
LUNATICS.
Ghecl, Near Antwerp, Has This Unique
Distinction - Unfor Inmates
Well Cared For.
From the London Telegraph.

l have recently visited one of the most re-
markable institutions on the continent, stu
ated not far from Antwerp where the de
mented are cared for as tenderiy as little
children. under the supervision of the Bel
gian government
IL is TO be doubted whether the little town
of Gheel has been heard OF frequently out
side of Belgium or by others than those d.
rectly interested In its institutions I am
quite sure that the nature of the munich
paiity is quite ignored by all who are not
more or less connected with the care of the
insane.
Gheel. then. is literally a 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
SO about their daily routine with perhaps
more common sense than a great many
worthy citizens who bear the reputation OF
being healthy in mind as well as body. The
township shelters about f,G0 lunattcs. who
are taken as dodgers by the townsfolk.
though all dangerous cases are passed on TO
outlying villages or confined in the asylum.
Gheel harboring only the harmless. The
treatment OF the patients is but moral
one. cures being due TO the kindness and
tact OF the townsfolk. The fees for taking
in the ''innocents," as they are called, vary
from tl2 to $40 per annum, according to
the degree of luxury I'm which the patient Is
kept No matter how much he pays, how
ever, he is the spoiled one OF the family, for
the people of Gheel understand the manage
ment of insane people better than any other
known community institution. This is
due to hundreds of years of experience
handed down from father to son. The pa
tient is really the guest of the house. He Is
given the armchair and the best scat at the
table and enjoys the most attention, so that
lie goes to value the esteem in which he is
held TO such an extent that he Will ma se the
greatest efforts to master his disease lest
he should forfeit his privileges The chill
49,, sl,a1I ths,ta Iar fFnyr
their contact with their elders in years.
though their equals in brains Dozens OF
children may be seen walking about hand
In hand with great robust men, to whom
they chatter in the most familiar manner.
In fact, the boarder patient is often told of
to take care of the baby of the household
and in most cases he makes an excellent
nurse. OF course. Gheel goes ahead of Lon
don, Paris, or Berlin a residence for
"emperors." kings" queens, million
aires" "popes." 'archbishops." "pashas
etc, all of whom are fully honored and
given full license to their fancies. one
king informs all newcomers that he has
two left legs and is Obliged to have his boots
and trousers made accordingly. Another
old gentleman, who thinks himself the pope
of Rome. says he is perfectly able to fly to
Heaven, but that for the moment he
too fast His landlord humors him to the
extent of Offering to assist him in making a
start from the second-hoor window, but
warns him that he might fall and break his
neck, whereupon the pope thinks better
of his project and prefers to walt until
after tea" One younger man is always
OF the lookout for Ratchet. 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-kncwn character accosts stran-
gers 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 seed and asks To
10
not blow him away. Not long ago one of
the 'unUcents' in A terrible way be
cause he fancied himself mustard seed
and that the birds were sure To swallow
him. His landlord demonstrates by saying.
Have | not told you that you are safe, be-
cause birds eat only hemp seed2" and so the
unfortunate man becomes quite calm. The
Queen of Holland" is there in all her imag-
mary glory. When we called upon her she
received us with great pomp, said she re-
GREETED that the troops had not been called
out in our honor. and then began 10 sing
airs from the best-known operas at the top
of her voice. AS left she went to her
window, gave commands to an imaginary
chamberlain and pointed to the regiments OF
imaginary troops passing by She is the
daughter of a 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 to-
ward the ''innocents," humoring all their
fancies, and often appearing to carry out
the realization of some Of their wild fan
cies. The spectacle is a curious one and a
visit to wonderland.
While ii has its amusing side, there is the
pitiful is well. and the tenderness, tact and
good will shown to the supplemented folk,
the entire absence of all restraint. would
astonish our own latest and up-to-date asy-
lum arrangements.
Mind specialists are visiting Gheel now
from all over the world, and patients are
there from far away as New York. Many
come from Germany, France and Holland,
and all doctors who have visited the insti-
tuition are deeply impressed by the efficacy
of the treatment. which is one of mere kind
ness and tact. Many cures are pronounced,
and during treatment all the patients APP
pear perfectly contented. l have talked
with many who express the greatest affec-
ton for their hosts and sing nothing but
praise OF the town in which they live. There
is in the town a well-appointed asylum for
dangerous cases under the supervision of
state doctors. who also regularly visit every
boarder taken in the town by the duly Ii
censed keepers.