The Washington herald., 1907-12-24

Commissioner Macfarland and Commis-
siouer West both issued statements yes
terday regarding the report Of the CON-
mittee on the treatment OF the insane,
appointed by the Society Of Nervous and
Mental Diseases.
In substance, the Commissioners both
seem to believe that there IS something to
be said in keeping with the report which
they discussed. Commissioner MacfarIand
said.
The Commissioners three years ago
asked the Board Of Charities 10 make A
special investigation and report on the
subject Of the insane. and later asked
three physicians 70 give professional ad-
vice and technical information on tbs
subject, and IL is for the fnaI reports
from the physicians that the Beard OF
Charities is now waiting Meantime, how
ever the Board OF Charities, in dealing
with the actual work OF caring for the in
sane. especially at the Washington
Asylum Hospital, has had 70 anticipate
its special report in order TO meet press
ing conditions.
Advocates New Hospital.
we have been working 10 get a decent.
modern municipal hospital far removed
from the workhouse and the Jail, where
the sick who are also INDECENT may have
proper treatment IN respectable surround
ings- We got fine site on BrightwOod
avenue. We got admirable plans through
a competition of architects and by one
OF the leading firms Of architects, but
inertia in some quarters and a selfish and
misguided opposition in other quarters
has prevented the execution Of those
tuberculosis cases provided for and We'll
advanced
The phrase. It IS a disgrace 70 the
District is employed so thoughtlessly
and so often about trivial matters that
il has lost considerable force. but I viii
say what 1 have said 10 the COMMITTEES
OF Congress, that IL IS a shame that We
have not a suitable municipal hospital
Ger those who cannot be cared for in the
private hospitals. including the chronic
and cOnvalescent and the nOncriminal In
sane. or those suspected OF insanity. 7
wish that some OF the energy which has
been expended upon much less important
objects here had been put behind the
I commissioners eiLOrtS ali these years 70
take the sick people away from the work
house 10 the beautiful site on BrightwOod
avenue However. I am hopeful that We
shall make great progress II this matter
at this Congress
The Commissioners have recommended
on the advice Of the Board OF Charities.
wards for chronic and convalescent cases
and a psychOpathic pavilion for the OBJ
servatiOn OF nCncriminal cases Of sus-
pected insanity and the treatment OF mild
and temporary insanity.
I hope that at least this much may be
provided. together with an extension %
the tuberculosis accommodations. Then
the altered WOrkhOuse and finally the
Washington Asylum Hospital plant can
be used for inebrlates and criminal in
sane. under proper detention laws. which
the Commissioners have recommended"
Mr.. VESTS Views.
Commissioner West said.
the recommendation for a revision OF
the lunacy legislation made by the special
committee appointed by the Society OF
Nervous and Mental Diseases meets with
my hearty approval. Ever since I have
been Commissioner. the question Of the
commitment and care OF insane persons
has appealed 20 me very strongly, not
only because I believe the laws are not
framed with a due regard for all cir
cUmstances. but also because Il seems
10 me that the prevalence OF insanity IN
the District OF Columbia is dispropOrtion-
ate 10 the population