The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-03-03
IS INSANITY
 INCREASING?
Synopsis of Address by Dr. A. J. Givens of Stamford Hall Sanitarium-

question, ttIs Insanity Increasing?' pr. Amos J. Givens. proprietor Of Stam- ford Hall sanitariun1, of Stat32ford, in q paper read today, at the State con ference of Charities and Correction, gave an answer in the affirmative, and presented some facts which are of a startling nature, as well as a sug- gestion regarded as somewhat novel, thopE,h of obvious effectiveness, to lessen the number of the insane by striking at one of it's chief causes, overindulg gence in alcoholic drinks. Dr. Givens does not believe that prohibit ory legislation and high license neces- saTily lessen the consumption of alco- f1olic drinks. but he asserts that much of the harmful effects of strong drink might be averted through legislation which would prevent the sale of 1i- quors of quality now most commonly used. If it were insisted that whiskey should be at least ten years old. and beer at least six months, before being placed on sale, he said, those indu1g- ing in them would not be exposed to the deleterfous effects of injurious con- StituentS always present in liquors re- gently distilled or brewed.
 At the outset of his address. Dr. Givens showed that the foreign-born population furnishes the larger propor- ton of the insane Government sta tistics show that. of whites at least ten years of age. in the United States in 1900, S0.5 were natives and 19.5 per cent. were foreign-born, while of the white insane of known nativity emu merated in hospitals, 65.7 were native and 343 were foreign-born. To a na- tion receiving a million immi grants each year, he said. such a fact is of vast significance.
 pr: Gdvens spoke of the work which has been done by immigration fnspec- tors at the principal seaports in pre- venting the entrance of insane per sons: During a period of one year, 424 were deported from Ellis Island to various European countries. The inn migration laws are now strict, but it is plain that for many years defec- tive and unbalanced aliens have not only sought homes in this country, but perhaps have been Intentionally sent here.
 of arriving aliens are destined to a few large cities, he pointed out that change of environment brought about by concentration of population often leads to mental degeneracy.
 The first census of the United States, in 1790, gave only eight cities of 5000 cent. of the population. In 1900 there were 545 such cities, holding 33.1 per i cent. of the total population, while of this total number nearly 26 per cent. was in communities of 25.O00 or over. Urban life, he said. provides not only highly stimulating environment, but one in hygiene and housing least fa- vorab1e to the integrity of the nervous system.
 The increase in insanity in New York State is in excess of the growth of
 
 has reached 97 per cent while the pop ulation has increased in the same time 53 per cent. The ratio of insane to the general population in New York State is to $40. Statistics from other States show that this is something above the average for the country, though there is an impressive increase everywhere.
 In Great Britain. reports show that in 30 years insanity has risen from 1 to 523 of the population to 1 in 320. In England and Wales, in 1908. the proportion of insane to, the population was 1 in 293. For the previous year, it was estimated that the number who lost their minds in England and Wales was 23, 581. or about 800 a week. In 1904, the ratio had increa sed to ill every zS5 of tie population. In 1907, in Scotland it was reported that dur ing the last previous three years there had been a decrease in insane persons. occurred since 1858. During the whole period the increase amounted to 200 per cent. while the population in- creased only 56 per cent. Temporary decrease in the number of insane reg istered in asy1uns in Great Britain was explained by disinclination of peo- pie il; the upper classes to send the mentally diseased to public institutions an attitude the reverse of conditions in America.
 Referring to Connecticut he said been so marked here in State with a seaport like New York. but there is no doubt that there is steady, if relatively small, increase in our own State. The total number of insane persons under restraint in 1904 was 3.120; 1906 3,351; 1908. 3,603 In 190S. estimating the population at l. o25,00O. the ratio rose to 3.5 per thou- sand. Reports of the State hospitals of Connecticut show average in crease for 20 years preceding 1900 of 76; during. the next two year it rose to 90; in 1907 the number reached 134.
 ''We should be n1isled by these fig Ires, however, he explained, 'tdid we not make 1ue allowance for the accu- mutation of insane in hospitals and the commitment to them of cases for merly cared for elsewhere
 Dr. Givens said that the public dis position of the insane has undergone material changes in recent years, as insanity is better understood. and the possibilities of prevention and cure are realized. Many who were former 1y cared for at their own homes are now infinitely better cared for hv inc