Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-19

wander away. climb over the walls, get run
over on the railroad tracks or injure them
selves by falling with attacks Of epiieptic
fits
There are no high and gloomy walls
about the so-called bull pen, as has been
stated, but the buildings occupied by the
epileptics and others who cannot be trust
ed in the open are surrounded by orna-
mental paling fences not more than five
feet high. and in the Enclosure are foun-
tains, flowers, settees. ETC.
TT is a question of allowing the I'M
fortunates / have described to have daily
walks and fresh air in this Enclosure or
else keep them confined indoors The
criminal insane are not confined with
these In the misnamed bull pen,' but are
segregated in the building known as
Howard Hall. where they are kept In con-
fnement."
In conclusion DR.. White said he would
welcome the investigation, as he declared
he had nothing to fear
Commissioner Macfarland's Comment.
In commenting this morning on the re-
port made by the Medco-Legal Society on
the Government Hospital for the Insane,
Commissioner Macfarland said:
The Commissioners, of course, have
nothing to do with the administration of
the Government Hospital for the Insane,
which Is under the supervision of the In
terror Department and of a board of WIS.,
itors appointed by the national govern
ment Our relation to the institution is
confined to sending INDECENT District pa
TENTS there under the act of Congress-
and at a certain per capita charged. How
ever. our board of charities has been con-
sdering for some time at my instance the
question as to whether 1t would not be
better to have separate institution for
the District insane and also provision for
epileptics and the fee5le-Ininded of and
similar classes not adequately pro-
vided for. ard also the question to the
cost of caring for our patients at the Gov
eminent Hospital for the Insane. No con-
clusion has yet been reached The ques- |
ton of the manner of commitment of Dis |
trict patients is under consideration in the
committees of Congress.
Declines to Talk.
United States District Attorney Daniel |
w Baker today declined to make any
statement in reference to the disclosures |
respecting the alleged improper condition
of affairs at the Government Hospital for |
the Insane. Mr.. Baker said that he knew |
nothing about the matter except from pub |
lshed accounts.
Summary of the Charges.
After disclaiming any intention of reflect |
ing on the ability of DR.. William y. White, |
the superintendent of the Government Hos |
ptal for the Insane, alienist or on his |
personal integrity, the committee makes
allegations of which the following is sum-
mary:
That straight jackets and handouts are
frequently used on patients; that a contri-
vance called a saddle, upon which patients
are bound hand, foot and neck in a re-
clinng position, and in such position that
they unable to move, is frequently used,
in which condition patients are frequently
left for several hours a a time; that tubes
have been frequently thrust from the nos
trils into the mouth of patients, and they
va hnn fnH in hot was
as a matter of necessity and for the pur-
pose of discipline; that 1t is net an I'M
common practice to fasten towels, both wet
and dry, about the neck of a patient and
to twist them from behind until the patient
falls in semi-conscious condition; that
soap is often placed in the mouth of pa
tents: that kicking and cutting of the in
mates not al all uncommon, and that
it is done for very minor offenses an Incl
dent being that an attendant knocked a pa
tient down, and injuring his hand in
for the reason, alleged, that
the patient disturbed his sleep. Another !
attendant, it is charged, broke the leg of
a patient in an effort to discipline him.
The Recommendations
"The committee recommends that the
Medico-Legal Society take action with the
view of securing legislation to effect the
objects:
First. That the insane criminals. and
those charged with crime, be transferred
elsewhere for custody and treatment and
that further commitments of the criminal
insane in St Elizabeth b eprohibited
second. That the patients in St Eliza
beth shall have the personal service and at
tention of an experienced and expert alien
st. as a medical director, who shall not be |
charged with administrative details of
buildings, finances, etc.
Third. That an effective system of in
spection of conditions and methods prevail
ing in the Government Hospital for the In
sane in this District land all other similar |
and for an auditing of the ex-
penditures and accounts thereof by Off
cials independent Of and uuconnected with
said hospital, be provided
Fourth. That provision be made for an
inquisition by jury into sanity of all ex-
soldiers, sailors and marines transferred
from soldiers homes to St. Elizabeth
after thirty days from and after their com
of such patient or of his friends or attorney |
filed with the clerk Of the Supreme Court
of the District of Columbia and within
five days after the fling of such request
Fifth. That distinction of accommo-
dattons and food shall be permitted among
the male patients in St Elizabeth civil or
military, and that their food shall be in
every respect equal TO that enjoyed by the
attendants.
Sixth. That a hospital be established |
under separate control, for reception and
treatment of cases of inebrety and the drug |
habit, before commitment to St Elizabeth: |
and that no commitments of patients suf- |
fering from such causes shall be for |
longer continuous period than six months
Seventh. That an institution for the care
and education of feeble minded children of |
the District of Columbia, now sent else
where at great expense be established in
this District.
Regarding Pension Money
Eighth. That the pension money of all
ex-soldiers, sailors and marines be not |
for any board or maintenance
ON account of their treatment and conffne-
ment in ST. Elizabeth, but that such pen
sion shall be held for their benefit in the |
same manner as now held by the soldiers
homes.
Ninth That no fees commissions
shall be allowed or paid out of any pension
money to any committee or guardian of any
pensioner while he shall remain an inmate
Of said hospital for any alleged services
rendered as such committee or guardian;
nor any fees be paid to physicians or others
with said hospital for testifying
on question of such pensioners sanity.
Tenth. That the maximum per capita
cost of maintenance of a District patient
In ST. Elizabeth shall not exceed S1a0 per
long the total number of
patients In the hospital shall be in excess
of 800.