The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1907-03-22

An Interesting Letter From Miss JET
ferson Bell.
Special 10 the Ocala Banner:

the governor. comptroller. state health
officer and three other citizens of
this state. who shall be appointed by
the governor. who shall inspect. eX-
anime into. report and recommend 10
the next legislature whatever in their
opinion il necessary or requisite and
best suited TO the welfare of the in
sane in this state in every way, includ-
ing a change of location in whole or
part. that the hospital for the insane
NAV be placed in the highest plane
and an keeping with the most adyanc-
H and improved methods for the care
of such institutions together with the
most approved method of treatment
of insane persons" met in Tallahas-
see this week TO make its report DR.
7. Y Porter. of the state board of
health. DIR. Lois De NJ. Blocker. OF
Pensacola. Mr.. ;. b. Cameron. of
Barlow. and Rev DR. w f Boggs. of
jacksonville. made a visit to the hos
pital a. ChattahoOchee early in Jan
uary
owing 10 the general interest in
matters relating 10 the care and vel
far. OF the insane in Florida the re-
port. although lengthy. is here given
in fun.
Il. Each of us has personally Wis
tied the hospital for the INDECENT in
sane ri Florida. al ChattahoOchee. and
has investigated fully the conditions
therein.
= The institution is now maintain
cd by the state. is a combined asy-
asm for the physically infirm. and for
variety of mentally disturbed per
sons. as well As for those who are
truly and really inasne.
''$. Ii the state proposes TO main
tain a hospital for the INDECENT in
SAN Of Florida. in accordance with
chapter 545i. then the legislature
q should enact laws 10 that effect. We.
sour commissioners. are fully assur-
- thar the best interests of the in
sane and the carrying out of the pur-
pose ~ chapter 545l. require the re-
moyal of those who are insane from
the present locality TO some other suit
able placo in the state.
.i some of tnc older buildings now
ia usc. being soaked with filth. par
ticularly in the flooring. should be
condemned and the floors torn out 10
d. replaced with new material. or al
tpscthcr RACED 10 the ground and built
arp anrw and this state of facts, in
orr judgment. render II more easy
I'D more economical that the insane
Ati,uis should all he taken to new
fA-alitN
e. IL, establishment; for such an
ASYLUM for The insane a. Is COntem-
plated In tho chapter from which our
. uuyta-iun - made contemplates
changes i'm our present methods Of ad-
fudglu- an individual insane. as well
ira nae, method al conveying him or her
10 Tho asylum. w recommend there
fore. tha' You require that ample
sm. H- taken 40 thoroughly investi-
~. -rr condition 9f persons who
give evidence ri natural disturbance;
that tna investigation he held in the
county court: that jury of six per
sons shall bc impanelcd 20 try the
cause and that a commission OF three,
avp al them being physicians. shall
D. required To examine the patients
- testify 10 the court with regard
IT his or her insanity. and that the
examination shall not Ice deemed COM
nleto ,mtil all reasonable doubts as
IN his or her condition shall be entire
% removed.
To further recommend that the
county Judge hr empowered 10 order
the paNment of whatever services have
been necessary In conveying the pa
tipnt d,contly ana orderly To the court,
from such funds OF the county as are
up1 otherwise appropriated. ana the
insanity ut the patients having been
thus carefully established. We recon-
mend that the superintendent of the
b.Spiral for he insane be required on
due notification. "a send one or more
attendants from this institution 10
hrina The patient with due care and
Fecepcv To the institution. The nee
q sary expense for his nr her transpor-
aiion being certified 10 The county
fudce IN the superintendent OF the
besnital and hN him ordered paid
from The funds Of the county
IL Your commissioners find that
nm convictions a. To the needs OF
.,cb treatment of the insane as Is
cantemplc-o3 by our appointment Is 81
well exnr,. ed in a report made Toy a
,.,,,-,iff,-e of the legislature in l9oj,
that W. take the liberty TO quote large
Il, from il thereby giving you the pen
eft of our personal convictions ou'
also of the convictions of a commit
;e. If the legislature itself on LOT
rner occasion
The committee very careiuilN CON
sidered in minute detail:
i First: That the general purpose
for which the state hospital Tor the
i,sicsnr insane was instituted. ana.
second. Such revision of laws. reg
ulations of rules. for. and oil the NUS
-, : - ,a,d in the future 10 4