New-York tribune., 1909-04-13
DOUBT MORE INSANITY
4SYLUMS IRE POPUL1R.
Ahenists ErpIain State Charities
Report Figures.

Although the annual report of the state Charities
Aid Association showed the largest increase OF
insane patients ever recorded for year in this
state, aHenists in this city are 10th to beheNe
that insanity is prevalent than usual Dr
Allen Fitch said yesterday that one form OF the
disease paresis. decreasing. and he agreed
with others that more perfect registration and
more confidence in the state asyIums wese prop
ably reSoonsihle for the incredse in the figures.
Greater willingness on the part Of relatives to
those afflicted in their families to the pubic
institutions DR.. Fitch said, has become appar-
eut in recent years. and Furthermore the longevity
of patients due to better-attention in the asylums
is a noteworthy fact Each of these would con-
tribute the apparent increase Patients are also
sent to asylums much sooner than formerly, be-
cause of the feeling that recovery IS more likely
from earlier treatment"
DR. Carlos T. Macdonald said that the popu-
larity of the state asylums had much to do with
the increased figures. The fact that treatment
there was free, he said another factor in the
reported overcrowdinE He did not believe that
the ratio to population would show much OF an
increase in the number Of cases, even taking all
other circumstances into consideration Many per
sons who did not really need asylum care he said,
were sent away now, where formerly they were
kept in their homes He pointed also to the con-
ditiou. more prevalent here than in any other
state. of a changing population. the incOmpetents
remaining here to be treated Or. Macdonald said
that because more persons wore eyeglasses now
than ever before was not due to more eye dis
but to greater care, and TINS greater care
he believed. practsed in all diseases
Dr. Frederick Peterson did not believe that the
figures Of the State Charities Aid Association
meant much. They certainly did not mean that
there was more insanity in the state than usual,
he said He agreed with Dr. Macdonald that there
was greater willingness to trust patients the
state asylums. but he believed that immigration
responsible for statistical increase of the
disease. Persons slightly afflicted with mental
trouble would come here and remain long enough
to be burdens the state when their disease be
came acute
The report referred to improper treatment Of
patients through police channels. and Or. Peterson
said this
The improper care is due the lack of recep-
tiOn facilities The insane cared for here and
Albany as they should he before being taken 70
the asyluWS, but there other places in the
state where there are adequate facilities They
are herded with criminals those i'll of other
diseases before being removed They have none Of
The peculiar care necessary in such cases. This
condition should be Temedied.'
II cannot exactly see to what an increase of in
sanity could be attributed, If there is increase
Or. Charles L. Dana said last night The social
conditions have not changed 10 such extent as
- he Responsible. nor has drinking lner~ased- 4
~ course bad economic conditions lead 10 eEcesSes
thought tlat with better facilities for caring for
The patients insanity would decrease and de-
to the better housing. which attracts more pa
a this city is Concerned makes almost impossible
tho impossihiIity - estimating correctly whether
insanity was increasing or teeTeASnS i N @ ms stfs E
tle goal for persons of al g'ndlio4s rom ] an over Yer
sanity when they arrive. and when the breakdo|n
%rn. ~ rha .fIfarfsts would say that there we're
any conditions that could ho held reSponsI bic for
made il appear that mental diseases were becom-
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