Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-19
DR. CLARK
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
His Testimony Before the OIcott
Committee Today. "a
ST. ELlZABETH'S CONDITION
Does Not Think a Larger Force Of At
tendants Needed.
THE FOOD SUPPLY PROBLEM
A Difficult One to Solve-Material ts
Fair, but the Cooking Not
So Good. f.

The Olcott special committee of the House
today resumed its inquiry into the Govern
ment Hospital for the Insane, across the
river. DR.. Clark. clinical director of the
hospital, was on the stand during the en-
tire morning session. He was questioned
at great length by committee members con-
cerning conditions in the institution But
little OF the testimony was of general in
terest.
DIR. Charles H. Clark, one of the physi-
Clans under DR.. White, at the Government
Hospital for the nsane was the first Wit
ness called before the committee today Or.
Clark, since April 1, 1906, has been clfni-
cal director Of the hospital The position
was created by the board Of visitors a its
iast meeting. Prior to his promotion DR..
Clark said he had been second assistant
physician Of the institution
In response to questions by Representa-
1--WE Smyser DR.. Clark said that the crsa-
ton OF the position had been under con-
sideratfon for several years. DR.. White had
recommended the creation of the position
In his annual report for 1904 DIR. Clark
told the committee the details of his duties
and was questioned at some length con-
corning them.
DIR. Clark said. during the course OF his
testimony. that when the board of charities
took up the matter some time ago there
were many nonresident insane In the hos
p1tal. There was an accumulation of White
House cranks dating back for years Most
OF these people had now been distributed
back to institutions In their respective dis
tricts.
Insane Criminals.
There were 40 insane criminals in St.
Elizabeth's. DIR. Clark said:
But are they really crazy?" asked Rep
reeentative Smyser.
Well replied the witness, II haven't
examined all of them. There may be sew
eral Individual cases of feigned insanity,
but most of them are really insane"
Dr. Clark said that before DIR. Whites
time very few clinical records were kept.
The present superintendent had inaugu-
rated q system Of keeping the records very
carefully.
st. Eiizabeth's had more bed-ridden pa-
uents. proportionately, than any other In
stftution In the country. This class num-
bered between $50 and 800.
AT one institution where DIR. Clark was
employed all the patients were compelled
to work. He did not think this could be
done at st. Elizabeths owing to the fact
that there were more than 200 patients at
the asylum over sixty years of age
DR.. Clark described various forms of in
sanity growing out of the use of alcohol
I see I've got to quit drinking" re-
marked Representative Smyser. gloomily.
BY the way. doctor. continued Mr.. Smy-
ser. ''did you see that article published In Q
local paper. stating that insanity increased
during the strawberry season.
NO. did not. replied DIR. Clark.
Guess I've got to cut out Strawberries,
too" said Mr.. Smyser shaking his head.
You seem to be nightly afraid OF going
to St Elizabeths," suggested Chairman o.
colt, amid general laughter.
No More Attendants Needed.
DR.. Clark said he didn't think any
more attendants were required at st. Eliza
beth's. There were more, proportionately.
at the asylum now than at most other in
stitutions.
At the Messallin State Hospital there
were 1,462 patients and eighty attendants,
ratio of one to eighteen. AT st. Eliza
was one to eight. At the Columbus State
Hospital there were l $50 patients and Il6
attendants, a ratio of one to fourteen. At
the Manhattan State Hospital of New York
there were 1876 patients, about 800 more
than In st. Eaizabeth's, although the Nam
haitian Hospital had only twelve more at
tendants than at st. Elizabeth's. DR.. Clark
gave other statistics along the same line.
DR.. Clark, continuing his testimony gave
the number of patients and attendants in
each ward.
Some complaints had been made to him
OF the harsh treatment of patients.
Such complaints had always been prompt
ly investigated and appropriate action
taken. Discharge always followed the
abuse of patients in any manner.
The Food Supply.
'1The food stuff at the hospital is a very
broad subject" said DR.. Clark. There were
seven distributing kitchens In the insti-
tuition He had inspected the food at vari-
GUS times and could only speak favorably
OF 1t. sometimes the food was poorly cook
ed In such cases the cook was usually
discharged The food was of fair quality
and plentiful in quantity.
I'VE use a great deal of milk In the in
stitution.' said DR.. Clark. IAN average OF
800 galf.ns OF milk a day Is used In the