The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1908-09-17


Hudson River State Hospital
II for the Insane, at Poughkeep-
sic, which will be opened next
October, represents the newest de-
parture in the treatment of mental
faults
Any man or woman may go there of
his or her free will and ask to be OBJ
served. 1t will be done free of charge
if the patient cannot pay. If he or
she can, the charge will run from so
cents TO ten dollars a week.
II is TO be refuge for those who fear
they are going mad, to be observed
and treated before it is too late. 1t
provides the chance to get well after
a nervous breakdown or mental col
lapse without undergoing the stigma
of insanity. If there is nothing wrong
the physicians will return the patient
to the world without comment; if
there is any sign of incipient insanity
the patient will be properly treated
If the treatment fails he or she will
be committed in the regulation way,
as it is done now.
The building is completed now at
cost of 100000. Only the interior
remains to be finished 1t is absolute
ly fireproof; there is nothing infam-
mable but the wooden floors and trim.
There are reception rooms. a main
dining-room and dormitories. 1t re-
sembles well.conducted summer hotel
more than an insane asylum.
No More Fetters or Handouts.
A century ago an insane person was
at once put in chains and manacles
and cast into q dungeon cell until
death came as a merciful relief. 1t
was only the other day that a con-
gressman, visiting the Hudson River
State Hospital for the Insane-it is
not called an asylum-asked to see
the fetters and handouts used on the
patents. There isn't one.
1t is not prison; 1t is place to
cure. Times have changed.
Here is the situation to-day: You
have had a great shock; you have
been immensely worried and you feel
that something is going to snap; you
are afraid "there is a screw loose
somewhere!"
Am l going mad?" you ask your
SELF
1t is then time to visit the Acute
hospital.
Suppose you really are insane, the
way you would have been treated in
the past is this: A committee was APP
pointed for your person. Your estate
was taken in charge. You were regu-
larly passed upon by the physicians,
and a commitment issued. The next
thing you knew you found yourself in
an insane asylum with no chance of
getting out unless the doctors said
you were cured.
But how is this done now?
You feel that something is wrong.
You find that you can't collect your
thoughts. Your memory fails you.
You are peevish nervous, excitable,
melancholy. You are in great distress
over your mental health. Yet you feel
pretty sure you are not insane, though
folks may shake their heads behind
your back and some of your best
friends may remark that you are not
yourself.
What is there to do? Just take the
train to Poughkeepsie, ask for DR..
Charles w. Pilgrim, superintendent OF
the Hudson River Hospital for the In
sane, and tell him what is the matter.
The First Treatment.
You are conducted to the Acute hos
pital, or Psychopathic ward Cas they
choose to call 1t up there. You tell
your history and what you fear is the
matter. You are asked to step inside
a reception room. No attendants are
about, and you are your own master
or mistress-and a few questions are
asked. Perhaps a physician takes
specimen of your blood to ascertain
the condition Of your health.
II your case demands 1t you are as
signed to a quiet room furnished as
we'll as the Waldorf-Astoria and Just
as clean, with hardwood floors, hand
some enameled bed. bureau, chairs