Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-20
THESE CHARGES ARE OLD
ASYLUM INQUIRY MADE SEVEN
MONTHS AGO.
But if They Are Repeated There'll Be
Another-Condition Not
So add

The charges that insane patients at the
Washington Asylum Hospital have been
neglected and abused prior to their transfer
to st. Elizabeth were Investigated to the
satisfaction Of the Commissioners seven
months ago. according to a statement by
Commissioner Mcfarland today. The lat
ter has supervision Of the charity institu-
lions of the District He remarked that the
Information in the case was Of such q ma
ture that 1t could easily be made SEN
sational without regard to the true condi-
tons. Any additional charges made would
be promptly investigated.
Mr.. Mcfarland explained that he had
heard no charges against the care and
treatment of patients at the institut on
since last December. when information was
furnished to Commissioner West by a per-
/ son whose name has not been disclosed.
George s. Wilson, secretary of the board
of charities. said today that no further
charges have been made since December,
when a subcommittee of the board of char
tiles, consisting of DR.. George NJ Kober
and Charles P. NELL. commissioner of
labor. made a thorough investigation COW
ering period of four months.
Here Are the Charges.
According to the charges furnished to
Commissioner West, which were investi-
gated, patients at the asylum hospital
which Is the municipal hospital for the
poor were not properly cared for and were
permitted to remain unclean and infested
with vermin until transferred to the Gov
eminent Hospital for the Insane.
Drs. Roper and Neill, In their report
eXonerated the Washington asylum off,
Gals. Commissioner mcfarland explains
that neither before nor since the charges
of last winter have the officials of the
Government Hospital for the Insane noti-
fled the Commissioners that patients re-
ceived from the District were in bad
shape. although the board of charities
ha in ha
Hospital for the Insane had any reason
for complaint 1t should notify the board
of charities at once, so that prompt in
vestigation might be made.
The Washington Asylum Hospital is
under the direct supervision of Louis +.
Zinkhan, superintendent OF that institu-
ton and the District workhouse. DR.. d.
Percy Hickling Is the visiting physician
Drs. Kober and Nell in their report said
they found the rules for the admission
and care of patients rigid. thoroughly
understood and strictly enforced.
Much Exaggeration.
DR.. Hickling when seen today said that
while he is not responsible for the execu-
tive administration at the Washington Asy-
lum. but as visiting physician. he knows the
allegations made to Commissioner West
were exaggerated He stated that at times
when patients have been received at that
institution ne has exercised his own lawful
insane asylum when the occasion demanded
1t, and in some such cases the patients may
have been dirty. They were not detained a
the Washington Asylum long enough to be
treated or cleaned. He explained that the
officials of the Washington Asylum Hospital
are not obliged to receive insane or alleged
insane persons, and frequently when such
patients taken there they sent i'm
mediately to the insane asylum.
Commissioner Mcfarland. DR.. Hickling
and George s. Wilson all agree that condi-
tons at the Washington Asylum not
perfect, and that there are many things
that could be remedied. For several years
these facts have been set forth in annual
reports and estimates. but Congress has not
seen fit to appropriate money to correct the
undesirable conditions. DR.. Kicking ex
planned that within the last year new
wing had been added to the hospital, but
that there were no available funds to hire
nurses to care for the patients that may be
admitted to this new part of the hospital.
1t is understood that Information is to be
placed in the hands of Commissioner West
today charging that the alleged shocking
conditions previously complained of still
exist. If the charges are filed the Commits
sioners will call for another Investigation.