Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-19

bly, who are absolutely sane, but who, II
permitted to remain with their associates
there and have to encounter the depressing
and maddening influences, will eventually
become insane themselves, Commission
er West will recommend to the other
two Commissioners that they appoint
special commission to investigate
the conditions at the asylum and to make
special and thorough examination of every
patient in the institution particularly those
who were committed prior to the present
lunacy law, which has only been In opera
ton d little over a year. Before that time
the laws were lax, it is declared. and 1t
would not be looked upon as at all startling
or unusual that person suffering from ex-
treme nervousness or intoxication has been
committed to the asylum as insane.
Composed Of Experts.
This commission will be composed OF
three physicians who are experts upon
nervous and mental diseases. and will. 1t
Is said, be headed by DR.. William L. Ro-
bins, who was appointed by the Commits
sioners more than year ago to 1nvesti-
gate the insanity conditions In the District
to determine why the prevalence Of insan-
ity is so high and to offer remedies.
The commission will take up each case
separately when examining the inmates OF
the asylum, and will devote time and
study to the physical condition of each
patient, Win a view Oh learning LILO ul6lOTy
of each before the unfortunate was COM
mitted to the asylum.
When seen at his home today and asked
about the practicability Of such commits
sion will be recommended by Commits
sioner West, DIR. Robins stated that 1t will
be one of the best and most effective steps
ever taken by the local government. When
asked IL he thought there Is possibility
Of any sane person being held among the
lunatics at St. Elizabeth, as has been sug-
gested to Commissioner West, he said with
out the slightest hesitation that he Is Of
Mr.. Vests opinion. He added that he Is
satisfied that before this commission. II
appointed, gets through it will develop that
many sane persons have been put through
the terrible ordeal Of living with the insane
patients at the local asylum.
Changes to Be Recommended.
Three important changes in the laws gov
erning the examination and commitment Of
persons to the insane asylum to be
recommended by Commissioner West to-
morrow. He Is satisfied that the laws need
to be amended, and he Is determined that
there shall be no flaws in a law which
deals with such an important question and
which If not properly carried out may
bring ruin and suffering to innocent per-
sons.
Mr.. West said today that if the law can
be twisted around so that sane person
can be railroaded to the asylum, either
intentionally or accidentally, he wants that
law amended.
There should be no tri1ing with such
NATTER he said.
One Of the most important and urgent
amendments to this law, in his opinion, and
which he will recommend to the board Of
Commissioners at an executive session to-
morrow morning, will be the modification OF
the medical certificate furnished the police
department and sanitary officer Under
the present law it is necessary for three
physicians to sign affldavits to the effect
that they examined the patient and found
the same to be insane. II is Mr.. Vests
idea to have this changed by making 1t
necessary for the physicians before Sign
ing to swear to having examined the per-
son within forty-eight hours prior to the
signing
This is looked upon as imperative by the
Commissioner from the fact that the physi-
clans may not have examined the person
for several years prior to the signing. In
West says. he has been told that she alleges
that one of the physicians who signed the
affidavit in her case had not seen her in
two years.
Proposes Another Amendment.
Another important change he will recon-
mend will be that Of requiring all physi-
clans signing these aff1davits to state what
year they graduated from a medical school.
The law provides that physicians signing
these affidavts must have graduated three
years prior to the signing. Commissioner
West says he is informed that little atten-
ton Is paid to this provision. and that he
is told that many violations have occurred,
but no one has been brought to account.