Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-01-05

creased 235. They have been crowded
into rooms, wards and dormitories al
ready SO full as to violate the law OF
hygiene n Interfere sadly with the
rules of classification and the princi-
pies of scientific treatment.
'"rhe normal capacity of this
hospital IL 1900. In my annual re-
port of 1901 1 called attention to
the fact that the hospital then had
in 1t 1900 patients, and could not
he further taxed except by cndan-
gering the welfare of its entire
population. The year ending Oc-
tober. 1, 1909, closed with 2,O59 pa
tients in the hospital, or 459 in ex-
cess of its capacity. These IRE
plain facts which may easily he
understood.
How far can this o~vercrowding GO
without serious consequences such as
no state government desires? If two
years give an increase OF 235 patients,
at the same rate ten years will give
1,1f6. n this, added to the already ex-
listing surplus over the normal capacity,
will give 1884 patients in excess of the
itf'ipCA Iii hOSDAtdl 10 tdDdDlS OIL DIoD-
erly caring for. In dealing with this
proposition, it must be borne in mind
that the yearly increase is steadily
growing larger. Along with the States
rapidly increasing population we will
have the proportionate increase in the
umbe of insane to be cared for in our
State institutions.
THE State must build for this in
creasing insane populations; there is ne
way of avoiding it. The protection OF
society demands that insane persons
shall not be permitted at large. When
the State assumes the right of depriv.
ing insane persons of liberty, it assumes
the responsibility of properly caring 70,
them in accordance with the principles
of reasonable philanthropy and public
charity, n with due consideration fol-
the fact that they form a class of the
helpless sick, suffering with the most
serious of all maladies affecting the
human race.
THE solution of this problem, in my
opinion. should not he attempted by
erecting additional buildings on these
grounds. The grouping together o.
very large numbers remove them toe
far from the personal knowledge and
care of the Observation-Disclosures, robs
them of their individuality in treatment
highly importanc to them, and makes
the institution unwieldy from the adj
ministrative viewpoint"
Wants "a Separate Asylum.
Or. Evans says that the facilities a
Mora Plains are taxed to their utmost
capacity. Relief can most wisely bt
given by the establishment OF another
State institution for the insane in Tho
southern part OF the State, and the cree.
ton Of separate buildings for the con
Wet insane and insane criminals upor
the hospital property at Trenton"
During the year there were 500 adj
missions to Morris Plains, 270 men ant
239 m The greatest population a
one time was 1000. AT the close of tht
year there were 1,76l in the hospital.
DIR. Evans says that ward inspectors
have proved q great success in Morris
Plains, and that abuse OF inmates has
beer reduced to n minimum. He recon,
mends the isolation of insane suffering
with tuberculosis. in shacks and tents
Pay OF nurses. DR.. Evans says. Is toe
small. and to prove it he shows that 43(
nurses left the service or were dis.
missed during the last year. He says
his problem is a serious one, and de
serves Immediate attention. He favor.
trades schools in connection with insan,
institutions.