The Washington times., 1906-06-01
Tells the Committee 1t
Would Be Costly and
Complicate Matters.
MUST RESTRAIN INMATES
Doctor Admits Use of Hydro
therapeutic Methods on
Patients.

DR.. William A. White. superintendent
OF the Government Hospital for the
Insane. continued his testimony today
before the special Congressional COM
mittee appointed to investigate the
asylum. and went on record as being
opposed 10 the appointing of a business
manager TO tighten his duties as head
OF the institution
He thougst such a step would be
detrimental TO efficient administration
He testified further that the Govern
ment gives him for his private use three
carriages. two horses. and two auto
mobiles.
These facts were brought out by Rep
resentative Wallace of Arkansas
Speaking Of the accommodations for
patients. Dr. White said there are two
smoking rooms for patients. which are
fireproof. Patients go TO them 10
smoke and play cards. Patients have
reading matter distributed to them
along the wards and can read in the
sitting rooms. There are 5000 volumes
any many current magazines for the
inmates.
What Is your idea OF employing pa
tients who are able to work?1 asked Mr..
Hay.
Il think" said Dr. White. 'That every
body who can work. whether he be sane
or insane. ought to have employment
It's better for him. Sevehty-five pa
tients work ont OF doors. That is ex-
trcmely beneficial"
Methods of Restraining Patients.
Doctor. what have you done to lessen
restraints cut on the patients?" asked
Mr.. Olcott.
II have issued an order absolutely
prohibiting the use OF the saddle. AS a
substitute FOR restraint. we use. in
many cases. hydro-therapeutIc methods
But I say there are some instances
when restraint is absolutely necessary
The other day We had a man who
persisted in trying TO gtouge out his
eyes. Any man who refused To restrain
that man 10 prevent his destroying his
eyesight would be unit to care for the
insane"
rs DR.. Haguer a patient at St Eliza
beth,s, among the insane criminals ?"
asked Mr.. Wallace
He is there. but he is not a criminal.
He has never been convicted"
is he on the pay roll2''
He gets nominal salary for work IN
the pathological department He is able
10 earn that pay"
Ought he TO be IN Maple ward IL he Is
Of the insane criminal class?"
He Is not criminal Every man is
presumed TO be Innocent until he is con
victed. He has been indicted, but not
convicted"
No Proof Against Marnchs.
Where is Foreman NIarnche. OF the
laundry. Dr. WhiteZ''
He is at home row on leave Of alb
sence. He left a very few days ago.
He came to my Office and I saw that he
was far from well. Seeing him in that
condition let him go home. where he
can stay as long as he likes"
why did you not discharge MT.
Marnche when charges of drunkenness
were preferred against him?r'
Il could not get evidence sufficient. in
nv opinion. to warrant such action on
nv part
What is DR.. Hagner indicted for?"
4 have no record of that / don't
know what the wording of the indict-
ment was"
Dir. White then explained that It would
hardly be feasible for another man. as
a business manager. and himself to con-
duct the institution with the satisfac-
tory results now achieved
Doctors Five Private Equipages.
How many carriages does the Gov
ernment provide for your personal use?"
pursued Mr.. Wallace.
Three"
How many horses?"
Two"
How many automobiles for your per-
sonal use?'
Two"
''Do you use butter or oleomargarIne
on your private table?''
Continued on Eleventh Page)