Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-04-10
REPORT is OUT
ON ASYL UMS

Des Moines, April 9. = The house
today endorsed the special investigat-
ing committees sensational report on
cruelty to the inmates of the state
insane asylums, and denied the formal
request of the state board of control
to make a statement as to facts.
The Report.
The report follows:
For the inquiry we have made and
from the evidence taken by us it is evil
dent that abuses exist in the govern
ment and discipline of the institutions
at Mount Pleasant, Clarinda and In
dependence. The evidence discloses
that in many instances the force of at
tendants is inadequate to meet the de-
mands that are made upon them, that
there Is not a sufficient number of at
tendants to properly attend to the
wants Of the patients under their care.
In some instances we found that
from 127 to 140 patients were consign-
ed to the care of a single attendant
during the night time and of this num-
Der portion were sick and required
almost constant attention. The num-
Der of persons under the care of such
attendant rendered it impossible for
those who were i'll to receive such
care as their condition demanded.
Inmates Abused.
1--WE further find that there have
been many instances Of neglect and
cruelty by the attendants in charge;
that for example as the use Of harsh
and profane language towards pat
tents; in some instances the inmates
were kicked, struck and choked, some
are thrown upon the floor and towels,
saturated with soap and water were
applied to the nostrils and mouth I'M
til the patient was rendered uncon-
scious; the patients generally were
compelled to render the most mental
service.
eve find that whenever notice of
these abuses have been brought to-the
knowledge of the several superinten-
dents the attendants in fault have
been discharged, and in one institu-
ton we find that persons guilty of in
fraction of the rules, when discharged
had deduction made from the wages
due them, and we believe that most
of these abuses have escaped the
knowledge of the superintendent and
the members of the board of control
Secret Compact.
There appears to, be among the at
tendants at these different institu-
lions some agreement or understand
ing tacit or otherwise whereby as long
as they remain employees of the insti-
tuition they neglect to report the mis-
conduct of their fellows.
"The committee finds that the per
capita of $12 per month in made
quate, that more and better attendants
should be employed, that help should
be secured to perform the dirty and
mental service about the institution,
now done by some of the inmates
themselves, that the per capita should
be increased to S14 per month.
THAT the supervisors of the differ
ent wards should have their Offices up
| On the floors of the said wards that
they should be required to be there
during their working and Office hours.
Employ No Tramps.
THAT whenever an employe is dis
charged for having abused a patient
| he shall never again be employed in
any like institution and if any atten-
| dant violates the law in the mistreat-
ment Of a patient the superintendent
shall file information against him for
the crime committed We suggest that
no institution employ any of the class
of help known as hospital institution
tramps.
I'VE recommend a special commit
tee at each session of the Legislature
to look into the condition of the hos
pitfalls. We found the hospitals in ex-
cellent condition in all their depart
ments SO far as cleanliness and the
general arrangements are concerned
and we personally saw no instances of
lack of decorum on the part Of the
employees or attendants or lack of dis.
cipline on the part of the manage.
ment.''