Mexico weekly ledger., 1907-03-14
CONCERNING MIS-
souri, HOSPITALS.
THOSE HAVING MENTAL DIs0R-
DERs HAVE THE BEST OF AT
TENTIoE AT THE STATE
INSTITUTIONS CRED
TABLE ARTICLE
DETAILING
MANY MAT
TIERS OF
INTER
EST.
Homer Bassford, staff Writer for the
St. Louis Republic, Tells Of the
te,Elsemosy nary Institutions.

Homer Bassford, staff correspondent
of the st. Louis Republic, few days
Isince, published In bis paper most
Interesting and comprehensive article
in reference to the Asylums of Mis-
souri,, and we excerpt the following:
"The State spends vast sum an
nually for the support OF its insane
above three-quarters Of million dol
lars for maintenance alone.
When 1t becomes necessary to erect
a new building or enlarge the ground
of any one of the five institutions, the
appropriation grows to the extent Of
the additional sum secured for the
special purpose; and there is, Of cour-
Sc, a steady advance in the expenses
for mere support. The State grows
In population and with larger pop
ulation there comes the responsibility
Of larger number Of dependents.
1.-THE Oldest hospital for the insane
of Missouri is at Fulton. Galloway
county. 1t is known officially as
State Hospital No. /. 1t has been ski
ty years in operation, and at this time
there is in the male ward a patient
who has been in the hospital for most
OF that time. ***
There is a common impression that
hospitals for the insane are places of
terror. In some Of their aspects they
are all of this. The long corridors
with their silent figures in chairs
ranged along the wall, the vacant
stare the terrifying laugh or scream
of the haunted, the strange affliction
of the epileptic--all Of these things
are very sad very distressing, but, out
In the open, where the improving
ones work in the fresh air, here is
found the very spirit Of hope
Up at Fulton where Doctor P. e.
Williams is the resident superlnten-
dent, the management has something
like 600 acres of land. Captain Sum-
mers, who is steward Of the institu-
tion,iin the last year made profit for
the hospital Of s2l;4OO out Of the farm
garden and dairy. The patients like
the open air and the opportunity for
work given to them by the farm and
, garden demands.
| The place is everywhere clean. The
drives, through great reaches Of lawn,
under spreading trees, are solid under
foot and lovely to the eye. The lawns
Iare well kept. Walks lead in every
direction and are adequate from all
standpoints. Driving at night through
. the great park that spreads In front
, of the Hospital for the Insane, ,adjoin-
. ling similar campus about the State
, lSchool for Deaf, gives an impression
such as that of Forest Park at night,
with the difference that the lawns at
|, Fulton are seemingly in better condi-
ion than those at our great park.
INSANE HOSPITAL QUIET.
"The president Of the Fulton Board
Of Managers, R M White, Of Mexico,
said the other day that he believed q
we'll managed hospital for the insane
, the quietest place In the world. He
said that in pursuit of bis duties as .
, board member he has spent great
, deal Of time at the hospital, and new
er had he found conditions anything
lbut restful. Visitors, as a rule, are
looking for trouble when they visit
an asylum for the insane, and in cer-
/ tain Of the wards they can get what
they lare looking for; but there Is no
hint Of 1t In the administration build
ling, the great, white structure which
lis one of many at Fulton. The wide
halls are noiseless. The reception
n rooms, with the offices beyond are
generally deserted but for an attend
ant or one or two of the physicians in
lcharge. The attendants are cheer
lful lot. Cleanliness is everywhere.
The parlors are charmingly furnish
ed. In company with two or three
other visitors and the president Of the
board, / looked into them. Two OF
three young ladies were sitting in
Ieasy chairs intently reading.
"Poor thingsl" exclaimed a woman
: visitor, as we went out, "And they
! look normal, too"
: "They are normal" said the pres
: ident Of the board. "They are young
lady students from the colleges here
lin Fulton. They came over to the
hospital to study in quiet place. " -
r. The Fulton physicians who are as
e sistants to the superintendent are
DIFF Harrison, DR. e e Evans anc
b DrJC Lewis, Captain Summers Il
l. the steward and Miss Gore matron
5. The physicians Of this and othel
r hospitals for the insane are agreed
se that relatives should never delay
10 in submitting an unfortunate to thI
Iy sort Of expert treatment given at ;
r. high.class hospital for mental dlsor
h ders. Careful handling OF case in it
,e initial stages may mean the differencI
between a permanent cure and abso
lutte, irremedial insanity. There ar
~ numerous forms Of mental malad.
that are absolute incurable, progress
p ing to a fatal end; but there are othe
'' types Of the disorder that requir
prompt and expert treatment Will
the case is yet young
h 1t isto cure its durable insane, ami
a to care for the less fortunate incur
ables, that the State spends thou
sands annually and maintains plant
that are worth millions.
A. r. Hawley, balloon pilot, comm
3. to St. Louis next month, will joiI
lT.u.hort a, paris in Mav Tsa rna b