Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-08-08

mE hospital, on the grounds OF the
Hudson River State Hospital
n 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.
1t 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 cox
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 inf1am-
mable but the wooden floors and trim.
There are reception rooms, a main
dining-room and dormitories. 1t re
sembles a 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 a dungeon cell until
death came as a merciful relief. 1t
was only the other day that a con-
gresham, visiting the Hudson River
State Hospital for the Insane-t is
not called an asylum-asked to see
the letters and handouts used on the
patents. There isn't one.
1t is not prison; it is a 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 I 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
ahe past is this: A committee was ap-
pointed for your person Your estate
was taken in charge. You were regu-
larry passed upon by the physicians,
saEd commitment issued The next
thing you knew you found yourself in
san 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
cover your mental health Yet you feel
spretty 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 Gas they
choose to call 1t up there. You tell
your history aad 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
sor mistress-and few questions are
asked Perhaps a physician takes a
specimen OF your blood to ascertain
the condition of your health.
If your case demands 1t you are as
signed to quiet room furnished as
well as the Waldorf-Astoria and just
as clean, with hardwood floors, hand
some asaaEeled bed, bureau, chairs