The morning journal-courier., 1908-03-16


 attack by two attendants. First I was knocked down" wrote MT. Beers: then for several minutes I was kick | ed around the room-struck, kneed and choked. My assailant even at
 tempted to grind his heel in my cheek. In this he failed for was then protected by a heavy beard. But my shins, elbows and back were cut by i his heavy shoes, and had I not in- stinctively drawn up my knees to my elbows for protection of my body I should have been seriously, perhaps fatally injured. As it was, I was se- yerely cut and bruised. When my strength was nearly gone I feigned unconsciousness This ruse alone saved me from further punishment for no premeditated assault is ever ended un- til the patient is mute and helpless. When they had accomplished their purpose they left me huddled in a cor ner to wear out the night as best I might-to live or die for all they cared.'
 Even while undergoing treatment at the state hospital the author appealed to Governor Chamberlain to take some action in behalf of the unfortu mates who were suffering there thruogh the cruelties of brutal attend ants and told of brutalities inflicted at the private asylum which he had left and at the state institutions. In order that the officials of the state hospital might not intercept his letter to the governor he left it addressed to the chief magistrate in a bookstore while on visit to that place with an at- tendant. Along with the letter was a request to the finder to mail the same, postage having been put on. In this round about fashion the missive final ly reached Governor Chamberlain at Hartford, who investigated the charges so far as the private asylum was concerned, but as far as known never took up the charges against the state institution.
 On September 10, 1903, the author was discharged from the state hospi- tai. He soon entered the employ of New York firm of contractors.
 Briefly, the remedy that MT. Beers proposes is as follows: "A permanent agency for reform and education in the field of nervous and mental dis eases. Such an agency-whatever it's form-could do in its own field what the National Society for Prevention of Tuberculosis has done, and is do- ing. in it's sphere of activity. Though the improvement of conditions among those actually insane, and confined should ever be an important factor in shaping the policy of an organization, its most important work would be the waging of an educative war against the prevailing ignorance re- garding insanity. This, to cure the disease by preventing it, is the only effective cure known Having prom ised q remedy. l dare to offer a def- nite recommendation based on the advice of interested supporters who, for years, have been actively engag- ed in successful works of reform and education. l suggest that a national committee tmodeled after the very efficient National Child Labor Com mittee') shall, without delay, be brought to working perfection. Such a committee could cooperate cies-and do so in such manner that representative men and women in each state may. when it takes shape, control the movement in their respec- tive communities.
 Tt is indeed high time that the United States of America should prove itself the vauntedly progressive na- ton it is supposed to he. by taking hold of the neglected problem of in- sanity and through it's several state legislatures, bringing into existence psychopathic hospitals of the type de- States consular report on the Munich clinic
 In concluding Mir Beers dealt the private run for gain institutions a savage blow. He rccounted specific and startling instances of abuse and lllHl SuIil tNHNllluilS dlf 'hlUHi'n iu private hospitals and sanatoriums of this class throughout the country. is indicated by an article written by Dr. N Allen Starr, professor at Colum- bia, which appears in the appendix of the book. Mir Beers parting shot at those conducting these run-for- gain hospitals. concluded: Knowing that the relatives of the Insane per son will seldom place him in public institution until their resources are completely exhausted, these owners proceed to drive almost as sharp a bargain as they would were they trading horses with a known trickster. The desire to succor distressed rela- lives is an emotion scarcely known to this type of man. Commercialism, not philanthrophy, is his passion. Pay the price or place your relative in a public institution is the burder of his discordant song before commitment Pay or get out is his iarring refrain when satisfied that he has exhausted the family resources"