The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1908-07-31

NV for the
.EW YORK states new Acute
hospital, on the grounds Of the
Hudson River State Hospital
for the Insane, at Poughkeep-
D sic. which will be opened next
o,ohor represents the newest de-
s-ure in the treatment Of mental
faults"
inv man or woman may go there of
y. or her free will and ask to be OBJ
yrred. 1t will be done free OF charge
i the patient cannot pay, II he or
4. ran the charge will run from So
cents to ten dollars a week.
Eis TO be refuge for those who fear
tbpy are going mad, to be observed
gd treated before it is too late. II
royides the chance to get we'll after
, nervous breakdown or mental col
hse without undergoing the stigma
sBsanity. If there is nothing wrong
no musicians will return the patient
the world without comment; II
here Is any sign of incipient insanity
No uatient will be properly treated
II hp treatment fails he or she will
b committed in the regulation way
sit It's done now.
The building is completed now at a
cost Of 100000. Only the interior
remains to be finished. 1t is absolute
il freproof; there is nothing inflam
nsble but the wooden floors and trim
There are reception rooms, a malr
ihingroom and dormitories. 1t re
!embles well-conducted summer hote
more than an insane asylum.
No More Fetters or Handouts.
Acentury ago an insane person was
at once put in chains and manacle'
and cast into a dungeon cell unit
Death came as a merciful relief. l
4 Eas only the other day that a con
Uessman, visiting the Hudson Rive
State Hospital for the 1nsane-lt /
i not called an asylum-asked to Sc
q he letters and handouts used on tn
Rielts. There isn't one.
It Is not prison; 1t is a place I
cure Times have changed.
Here is the situation today: 70
have had a great shock; you haV
been immensely worried and you fee
bat something is going to snap; 70
he afraid there is screw zoos
NmeWhere."
Am l going mad?" you ask you
at,
It Is then time to visit the Acut
AOspital.
Suppose you really are insane, tn
say you would have been treated
ue past Is this: A committee was a
Mated for your person. Your esta'
vas taken in charge. You were reg
aly passed upon by the physician
20 commitment issued. The ne!
Jung you knew you found yourself
u insane asylum with no chance
CITING out unless the doctors sa
l0u were cured.
But how is this done now?
lou feel that something is wron
lou Ind that you can't collect yo
@ughts. Your memory fails yo
'0u are peevish, nervous, excitabI
nelahcholy. You are in great distre
Wef your mental health. Yet you te
Mly sure you are not insane, thoui
nus may shake their heads behll
.OI back and some of your be
alelds may remark that you are n
gourself
what is there to do? Just take t
VAN to Poughkeepsie, ask for |
varies W, Pilgrim, superintendent
y Hudson River Hospital for the
ale, and tell him what is the matt
The First Treatment.
iou are conducted to the Acute h
sA4 or Psychopathic ward las tn
.aVOse to call it up there. You
~ history and what you fear is
-slef, You are asked to step insi
epton room. No attendants
sSaI, and you are your own master
Mlstress-and a few questions
ssa Perhaps a physician takes
Smen of your blood to ascert
eondition of your health.
your case demands it you are
saeO to quiet room furnished
Is as the Waldorf-Astoria and ]
s'san, with hardwood floors, a ha
enameled bed, bureau, cha