The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-01-22

.neIe Is an atmosphere of diSorgani-
zation, want Of cooperation with
those in authority, a feeling of apa-
thy and helplessness." That for sew
eral years there were daily confer
ences of the staff of physicians, but
they have for some time been discon-
tinued. That no reports are made
to the superintendent of the condi-
ton of individual patients, that the
/ women's ward is in much better con-
dit:on, and receives frequent visits
from the superintendent, and until e.
Gently he was visiting physician i'm
the negro women's ward, but has not
been in touch with the male wards in
years.
One by one the rules applying to
the superintendent are quoted and
neglect pointed out, even to the fact
that the superintendent had no office,
and is to be found, when needed, at
| his residence, from which he has but
rarely been absent during the long
ter..4 OF his superintendency, but the
| undergraduates Of such provisions is
pointed out strongly. The failure of
the treasurer and other officials to
keep detailed records and accounts is
| stressed particularly. There aeems
to be absolutely no system at all OF
office work, and the committee points
out the loss to the State through such
methods.
The farm seems 10 be the only de-
partment that can be commended.
| In the matter OF the burial of the
dead, shocking conditions are point
ed out. In fact, from the testimony,
the pictures and the conclusions of
the committee, 1t may be reasonably
assumed that the unfortunate in
mates of the institution are given lit
tie, II any, more consideration, dead
or alive, than SO many impounded
dogs. Bodies were buried on top
Of bodies at Elmwood cemetry
when the lot bcame crowded, until a
shocked humanity revolted. There
are no makers, and one man after
working for years to save money
enough to bring the body Of his dead
wife home for burial, could find no
trace OF her remains in the general
conglomeration Of bones and bo dies
piled up in the cemetery lot. The
next change was to a part of the
present farm property, and the chol-
era hogs and the dead are kept in
the same lot.
| The commission severely criticise.
the laws providing for patients being
carried to the hospital by the sheriff
or his deputies. pointing out how
| their being brought, often in shack
les, is serious detriment to their
case.
There are no clinical records kept
and no classification of patients.
Many of the patients are sane at in
tervals and many Of them are weak
minded or inebriates, and they are
made to stay In close wards with the
insane. Many attendants are report
ed tlliterate and brutal, many cases
OF brutality being reported, showing
lack OF discipline. There are not
enough attendants. and it seems to
have been fact recognized by the
management, but no effort was made
to. supply the deficiency. The wards
are infected with vermin, even the
white women's wards, which have re.
| cetved the greater part Of the atten-
ton. The male patients are allowed
to be unkempt and ragged; they are
palletted on bundles of straw in many
cases; there are no proper or ade-
quate bathing facilities, and the pic
lures Of the bath room show most
disgusting surroundings. far from
suggesting cleanliness.
Under the head Of Treatment for
Insanity" it is shown that the ad-
mittedly best methods of sanitation.
proper feeding and occupation are
every one disregarded. The food rs
badly prepared by cooks who never
| learned to cook, and the kitchens are
unsanitary, in the Easements will.
| leaky uoors above them, and no
screens food supply always the same.
service Of meals shocking, service
generally being in dirty, greasy, bat
tered tin plates, frequently set down
Tor sick patients in close proximity
to open and foul chamber pots Pa
tlents who ought to be occupied arc
shut up in close wards to NOPE, or
exercised in narrow yards, but the
drparN lifa nf o. In, L.