The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-02-15

DR.. Moore in his report for 1902
says in regard to the Institution:
eve much regret to have again
to report that this retreat for the In
sane is still made the unwilling re-
cipient of idots and epileptics. This
is especially to be deplored, as this
class Of hopeless imbeciles will nee
essarily require much of the time
and care that should be wholly de7o-
ted to the insane proper We trust
that the day is not far distant when
suitable quarters will be provided
for them elsewhere in the State.
H'Additions have been. made to
two or three of the buildings with a
view to increasing the capacity and
thus relieving the overcrowded con-
dition of the hospital. But notwith-
standing this, all the departments
and wards are still crowded to ex-
cess. The Taylor building for e2-
cited white men, which was erected
about two years ago; the Parker
building for negro men, which was
also completed a few years ago, and
afforded sufficient room at that time
for this class Of patients; the wards
for white women, and especially the
wards for negro women, are all ex-
cessively overerowdad. Not only
are all the beds and cots occupied,
but some of these patients are ac-
tually slowed away on pallets on the
floor. That these poor, helpless, at
ficted creatures should be placed IN
this sad plight is indeed a pitiable
spectacle. It is not only detrimental
to their physical well being, but it
is inhuman, unkind, unChristian, and
a reproaeh to us as a civilized people.
We do not intend any reelection
whatever upon the accomplished and
faithful superintendent, nor upon
the board Of regents, for these facts
clearly prove how their work Is en-
barrassed and frustrated by made
quate accommodations"
In the report for 1908, we find the
following language:
"We much regret to have to re-
port as follows from DR.. Babcock,
who says: NO change in classes of
patients admitted. Idiots, lnnatics,
epileptics, inebriates, cases Of old
age, Csaotards'') and alleged Grim
kinals-all are received. No prospect
Of >other receptacle On inquiry he
also states: Isolation Of the tuber-
i lous is practiced as far as possible,
but is not as thorough as it should
be- "
In the report for 1904, We find the
following in reference. to letter
from DR.. J. W. Babcock, the superin-
teldent:
| "We would desire to strongly and
earnestly emphasize what he says
concerning it's overcrowded condi-
ton, and the herding together Of all
classes -epileptics, idiots, and inebri-
ates. All hygienic precautions, how
ever, that conduee to the preserve
ton and perpetuation Of health are
observed as strictly as possible. But,
Notwithstanding, We much regret to
note that he geports the continued
prevalence and high mortality Of tu'
berlosis. This is, Of course, but a
legitimate result Of the crowded con-
dition to which we have just /allud-
ed"
The following is an extract from
letter Of DR.. Babeock, the superin-
tendent, directed to the chairman Of
the State board Of health which was
also submitted to the legislature:
"For this year the number Of ap-
plications for admission has been
503, and Of these 1853 have already
been received. The only applications