New-York tribune., 1907-07-22
ASYLUM HORROR GROWS
4mong Insane TO BE Far
ther Investigated.

Trenton, July 81 (SpeciaD,-The scandalous and
revolving revelations concerning the outbreak oI
typhoid fever in State Hospital for the insane
here and the officials neglect to take ordinary pre-
cautions against the spread Of the disease as
brought out by John II. Backes. counsel for the
Assembly Investigating Committee last week
pointed the way for the committee to go on lhden-
nieIy without consultation or discussion as TO it's
legal standing In less than hour on FRIDAY
evidence enough had been taken to show that eA-
posures of the most horrible and disgusting CAdt-
acter existed in certain institutions OF the st'e
c Collateral testimony to the conuluoh VI u
fairs has collected by some or the newspapers
TINT adds strength and throws additional lshl upon
the scandals already brought out lhere IS aP-
raren+lv no excuse for the causes that portend
what promises TO be the greatest epidemic ti1a'
has ever existed In any Of the state institutions
That such foul and loathesome condltohs as re-
ported should have been permitted by a ooiird o'
managers and set OF officials TO exist IS nara 70
account for They should be succeeded, II tne
allegations prove to be true ny men VIZ 80 -
nav close attention TO the methods employed ana
who recognize the responsibility that shoulu it'.
upon those in charge of nearly thirteen HuliuLT
human beings especially where they are InehtaIIy
incapable Of making complaint Themselves
The scandal promises TO grow as ta Je
tiOn proceeds The next hearing OF the committees
will be on Wednesday next. Just before ADJOURN
nent occurred Friday there had been a clash
that will surely increase at the next meeting, -,
John c. Ward, the medical director OF the Nlsutu-
ton took direct issue with Or. Henry Mitchell
secretary Of the State Board of Health and INC
executive officers Of the asylum. DIT Aitchel
,ag emphatic IN stating that the pollution Of the
spring and the condition OF the dairy were the
direct cause Of the outbreak and spread ot the
fever He was corroborated by Or. Fell and Health
Inspector Mcguire.
Tr Ward said that neither the spring nor the
dairy was responsible. The trouble was all due 10
Il break in the sewer the grounds, and that Is
supposed 10 be furnished by the authorities or the
city OF Trenton. although DR. Ward did not refer
10 the city The wide difference 81 opinion on the
rart Of the authorities will probably compel the
committee TO analyze most thoroughly
II IS a grave question moreover whether the
state and local boards of health can escape con-
siderable Of the responsibility for the alarming
condition of affairs. DR. Mitchell testified on Fri
day that Or Hunt. hts assistant. and himself were
the only officials OF the state board who could mako
inspections His time. he said. fully occupied
with the regular duties OF tho board, and DR.. Hunt
could not cover the entire state. The Legislature
did not appropriate sufficient funds for the de-
partmcnt. he said.
This is not considered n reasonable excuse. how
over. An institution within whose walls are hud-
died 300 insane persons and where II is easy for
sanitary regulations TO be disregarded, IT is said.
should have prior attention over any other institu-
tiou.
The fact TINT proper precautions were not taken
10 prevent the disease Will not tend 10 alay the
anxiety Of the relatives and friends OF the numerous
inmates.