The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-05-28

building WAS forced 10 work: in fact.
it was a rule of the institution not to
allow an attendant to force a patient
to work. There was a large number
that wanted to do 50, however, and
these were encouraged.
Here an adjournment was taken un-
til the afternoon.
The Afternoon Session.
At the afternoon session DR.. Bah
cock resumed his testimony.
He recalled the release Of patient
! who has testified before the commit
tee. This patient had employed Mr..
Hunter A. Gibbes Of this city for
habeas corpus proceedings and went
out over the protest Of the authorities
on account of the methods employed.
He told of a case Of negro man
and his wife, who, after going crazy
over religion. cut their chlld'S throat
under the idea that it would come
back TO life in few days. This cou-
pie was now much better, almost cur
ed.
He would recommend that cases Of
this kind be committed by order of the
circuit judge and released only on or
der Of the general assembly. He
thought the couple might be released.
They have not had another attack
and might be given trial on the out
side. This was about the only case
he knew of where a release might be
beneficial.
He referred to a case where a
young woman was released on fur
lough against the advice of the au-
thorities Of the institution and af-
terwards drowned herself.
No Determinations.
So far as possible there was no dis
crimjnation as to patients on the
basis of pay. There had been no
reports Of this kind made to him. Of
course a physician in making the
rounds might display an interest in
certain cases and often some Of these
were of a pathetic nature that called
forth special notice.
He thought that with more physl-
clans more attention might be given
clinical work. This of course would
facilitate the efficiency Of the institu-
ton. In his opinion when a person
lost his mind even after the brain
was restored the person should not be
exposed to the wear and tear Of the
world until there was complete rest.
All asylums made the mistake of
sending out patients too soon. OF
course the furlough system relieved
pressure on the institution but it
could not be called an ideal one.
The percentage of recovery here
was 20 to 25 per cent.
The Annual Report.
The report of the institution was
delayed on his own account. There
were a number of special matters he
wished to bring out in this report. 1t
would be out very soon now.
He had asked for $l80,00O for
maintenance. 100000 for improve
ments and repairs. $1,000 for the
equipment of a building and other
items. The $4,000 was cut down to
$4,000, the house cutting out the item
altogether and the money being IN
serted by the finance committee OF
the senate and given.
Erecting the Buildings.
DR.. Babcock told Of the efforts to
erect new buildings. The brick at
first was made on the place, after
wards the convicts at the penitentlary
being used in the work. Finally, IN
1897, the legislature gave $1,000 to
erect the Parker building. 1t was
about half completed when the mon
ey gave out. Gov. Ellerbe being told
of the emergency arranged to have
$4,000 additional advanced and
promised to aid him in getting this
repair by the general assembly, which
was done.
He also planned the Taylor, Talley
and the north buildings. The Taylor
h,;ld;no cos+ S25 600. the Tallev
building cost $4,000, the new north
building about 100000. There will
be accommodations for about 100 pa
tents in the new building. It was
two-story structure on account OF the
fire risk. The asylum had employed
as far as possible the labor of pa
tients, thus saving the institution con-
siderable money. The buildings were
worked from the ''inside" standpoint
+bo+ ;c from tho view of A physician