The Pensacola journal., 1907-03-19

Aucut- l. ne cOKu0llle6 uuQS tGaL IHGTe
| is lack of careful classification of
the inmates OF the hospital and non-
separation into groups of those suffer
ing from different types of insanity,
from others of diseased and feeble
minds but who are not insane This
fact has already been alluded to but
is referred to again because it is be-
lieyed that classification on admis-
sion would tend to at once bring to
the notice of the Board Of State In
stitutions the commitment of those
who although of disordered mind are
not insane, and not properly the wards
OF the state in this particular. The
committee finds that the buildings are
not constructed with a view of eff
cheney in treating the insane. The new
structures are comfortable, but that is
about all that can be said in their
favor.
THE committee finds that the gem
eral hospital facilities for treatment
OF ordinary, acute and other ailments,
which insane persons aBe as liable to
equally with persons of sound mind,
are not sufficient, nor are the wards
now used for the purpose well
equipped or arranged. This is due
TO no fault Of the superintendent or
the physician of the hospital, but to
lack of appropriation by the legis-
lature Of funds for the purchase of in
struments and appliances which the
committee deem absolutely needful
in hospital of this nature.
.fThe committee is impressed from
observation and other means which it
has acquired, that patients in the in
sane hospital are kindly and humane
ly treated by both officers and attend
ants and that every effort is made
for comfort and happiness, therefore
any criticism of management which
the committee makes, it is desired
shall be understood to be directed
against faulty methods which are due
TO the statute laws and not against
the officials of the institution The
committee submits for the careful
consideration of the legislature of
1908, the following:
"The committee believes that too
often. through Indifferent and careless
methods of examination a commit
ment is made to the insane hospital
of those whose condition does not war
rant the confinement, and that in
many instances unworthy persons are
admitted as free patients, when either
their own financial condition or that
of relatives is abundantly able to re-
lieve the state of this charity"
Home for the Needy.
Your committee would suggest that
the buildings and grounds at Chatta-
hoochee, with proper repairs and bet
terments from time to time, might be
used as a home for such needy per-
sons as have been above mentioned,
who are not themselves insane In
view of all these facts, your commits
sion continues to quote with approba-
ton from the report of 1908:
THE committee recommends the
separation of the violently insane from
those of peaceful and harmless ten
denotes.
''The committee also recommends
the separation of the criminal class
of insane from each other and from
all other inmates.
'The committee recommends such
revision of the postal rules of the hos
pital as shall give the superintendent
supervision over correspondence, but
which in no wise viii permit him to
or prevent the same.
The committee especially recon-
mends revision of the statute laws
of the state relating to adjudging per-
the hospital for the insane, as will !
protect the individual from unjust con-
dnement or personal wrong.
The committee recommends that |
the superintendent of the hospital |
With the physician of the hospital |
shall constitute a final and determin- /
ing board on each and every case |
committed by the courts, before being |
admitted to the hospital as patient
In order to bring these matters to |
the attention of the several commit |
tees of the legislature and to both |
senate and house, the committee |
recommends action by the legislature |
on the following subjects:
First An act to amend procedure |
in cases of supposed insanity
Second. An act to provide a home |
for INDECENT epileptics, idiots, feeble |
etc.
Third An act to provide for a |
hospital for general purposes Of sick
ness of an acute type, or <other all
ments not necessarily mental, at the |
home above indicated.
Although not charged as specific |
duty in the resolution under this re.
port is made, yet as being pertinent |
TO the subject of inquirty and recon-
mendation which the resolution calls
for, the committee has had under
a measure which II Is |
thought will materially simplify the
of the insane hospital as
well as other similar institutions, and |
those supported in part or in whole /
from the states treasury, and will re- /
lieve the Board of State Institutions |
from much work and interruption in |
the duties of Office which bear direct |
" upon the officials who compose the |
Board of State Institutions
The committee recommends that |
the legislature of 1908 shall establish |
a Commission of State Charities and |
Correction, which board shall have |
control and management of the state |
institutions of a charitable nature, to- |
gether with all educational and elee- |
organizations which are |
in whole or in part by the |
state"
Immediate Action Ured.
Your present commission have thor /
oughly satisfied themselves that the |