The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-18
CTTY's 'INCURABLEs'
SUFFER UNCARED FOR
WHAT TO DO WITH UNFoRTU-
MATES PUZZLES CITIZENS.
Denied Refuge in State Asylums Vic
Tins Of Dread Maladies Need Care,
Think OFFICIALS City Physician
Beckman Suggests Completion Of
City Hospital to Harbor Sufferers.

What can be done with ttincurables =
who are unable to pay the high prices
demanded for nursing and proper ac-5
commodations is one of the most inn
portant problems that is bothering
local authorities, workers in charitable
organizations and public-spirited citi-
zens in general. That there is cry
ing need in Minneapolis for some refuge
for the unfortunates who can never
hope to recover from the dread ravages
Of terrible diseases has been acknoWl-
edged for some time. The special sig
nifcance Of that need has been brought
home recently by several cases.
One Of these unfortunates is an
elderly woman who was sent to ths
several years ago. She was later taken
by her relatives in Mankato and after
wards sent to st. Peter. Recently 81
was discharged from the st. Peter in
stitution on the ground that she was
not violent, tho. she was incurable, and
sent back to her relatives, who now live
in Minneapolis.
She came to live with her daughter,
who has family Of four snail chill
dren. The old woman refused to wee
any clothes. She tore up, the garments
given her to wear and was continually
| laughing, talking and singing. The
effect upon the family was terrible, and
| vet they did not know what to do with
her.
May Be Returned.
The neighbors finally complained tc
the Minneapolis Humane society. The
officers Of that organization took the
case in hand, and after a great dea
Of trouble finally succeeded IN having
her re-committed to the st. Peter hos
pital. 4, !,
said Harlan P. Roberts, president Q
the Humane society. ssWe have man,
pitiful cases where persons are suffer
1 ing from incurable diseases and hav
not the means to secure proper care
That a city Of this size has no plac
for them is shame. -
Mayor David P. Jones has expressed
himself as heartily in favor Of an.
move that would alleviate the condi
ton Of the unfortuAates. A number o
physicians were seen and expressed
knowledge Of the ,deplorable condition
and stated that they were ready to d
all in their power to help along an
plan that would provide a home fl
'incurables. 6 s. a. ="
/ Mrs. Haskell Active.
Mrs. Olga Won. W. Haskell has take
great interest in this work and hi
; decided to call a meeting of those il
: tterested at her house in the near f
! ture, Ways and means will be di
:, cussed and some plan Of campaign d
= cided upon.
y3E st1The fact is slndeniable that Mi
q 11neapolis is in great need of some meal
g Eof caring for INDECENT incurables,
y said City Physician b. II. Beekma
P HThere are now, I suppose, IN MINI
"a apois, from fifty to 100 persons SUITE
e ing from incurable diseases who a
e unable to secure proper care and wi
/ should be afforded some place
q refuge. There is q crying necessity t
70 some place for them. Where and he
II. are the questions that are to be
swered. ~ ~ers
r sEfThe idea Of raising money enouI
to build separate home for incurabl
" seems to me to be an extravaganza OF
IS To erect suitable building, proper
n equipped, would require not less tn
is 100000. Then there would be the &C
,r tinual expense Of providing light, hei
le ianitor service, nurses, doctors, etc.
- Use City Hospital.
III tsThe only feasible way Of prep'
m ing a place for the care Of incurabl
IN it seems to me, is to complete the CT
hospital. After the completion Of
o ADMINISTRATION building already p
/ vided for and to be built next spri1
/ it would cost about $4,000 to compl,
/ the city hospital as originally plann
! That addition Of the west wing wol
! give us room to care for about
+ patients and with that addition
would be able to give a ward to
r curables that would care for all Il
{ should be given help for the next
teen years.