The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-10-15
INSANITY IN VERMONT
Superb .crdert Grout Says It Is Not
IN tie lncrease

trustees OF tne lHSllLullOH anu II 10
incorporated in the 18th biennial re-
port of the trustees to the governor.
The report covers the period from
July, 1910, to July 1, 1912. The daily
average number OF patients for the
period was 60409. OF this the report
says
This demonstrates the fact that the
number of patients is constantly in
creasing. The daily average for the
biennial term ending June 30, 1906,
was 513 plus; 1908 was 500 plus; 1910
was SIS plus and this term, GOA plus,
making an increase of nearly Is per
cent in six years.
The inference drawn from this by
one not conversant with conditions
would be that there had been almost
an alarming increase of insanity in
Vermont. | do not think that such is
the fact | doubt very much if there
has been any material increase dur
ing the past half century in the state
or for that matter in any state in the
Union, but not knowing positively the
conditions in other states, will limit
myself to Vermont.
only a few years ago, within the
memory of large proportion of Yer
monters, lunatic asylum was con-
sidered a place of last resort for the
few who could not possibly be cared
for elsewhere When a patient en-
tered an asylum all hope was aban-
doned by both patient and friends,
and the feeling was almost universal
that his doom was sealed.
Table " shows that since the
opening of the hospital (the term 'asy-
lum was changed to hospital by legal
enactment several years ago There
is not a 'lunatic asylum in Vermont
today, in August 1891, 1850 persons
have been admitted, including read
missions; 1871 have been discharged;
667 have died: 104 have been trans
ferred to the Brattleboro retreat for
want of room, and 622 remain in the
hospital.
Vermont, as compared with most
of the Union, is small. 1t would be
impractical and too expensive TO have
separate institutions for epileptics vic
lent imbeciles, chronic demented
cases, inebriates and drug addicts,
insane convicts and criminals, etc, as
is the case in the larger and more
populous states. Consequently they
are all sent here Another cause of
the apparent increase of insane cases
is the somewhat large number of
senle cases sent here. This number
is increasing from year TO year, and
in my opinion greatly to the benefit
of all concerned
The fact is easily demonstrated
that these cases do very much better
after having once become adjusted to
the new conditions, live longer, and
take more comfort than in their var
ious homes. II is almost surprising
how many of these are reluctant to re-
turn TO their homes.
Dangerous imbeciles' come here
in large numbers, and more should
come. Not alone those who are dan
gerous to life and property but those
who are dangerous to the morals of
the community in which they reside.
Gov Mead has an idea in view. which,
in my opinion, should be Endorsed by
! legal enactment, for the sterilization
OF these degenerates. | understand
that several states have recently en-
| acted laws covering this question in
various ways. In my opinion there
Vermont, and particularly its Legisla-
ture, that is of more consequence
than this.
THE apparent increase in insanity
in my opinion, is accounted for by the
change in the character of our lunatic
hospitals; change in legislation and
in public sentiment
Chronic inebriates, dipsomaniacs,
senile cases and dangerous imbeciles
and degenerates are more carefully
looked after than formerly. and as
they are sent here, it makes the casu-
al observer and statistician conclude
that there is an alarming increase in
insanity, which is not the case II is
possible, but not probable, that Yer
mont has a larger per cent of degen-
crates than formerly. The first gen
GRAFTON or two of these breed like
rais,' but usually the third or fourth
generation puts them out OF com
mission.
THE cruX, however, of the whole
problem of degeneration lies in the
segregation or sterilization of the
high-grade imbecile, and chiefly those
of the female sex.
THE Legislature of 1910 revised
the law and made il possible for
these cases when INDECENT, to be sent
here for treatment. for varying
periods. from four months to three
years, at state expense. Since the
enactment Of that law "a cases of
that kind have been sent here, viz:
20 men and s women. II is too early
to arrive at a conclusion as to results
but the history OF those who have
been here formerly demonstrates the
fact that fewer of the alcoholic cases
relapse than the drug cases, but
majority of both do so, whether they
are treated here or elsewhere.
objection has been raised to the
sending of these cases here. to asso-
ciate with the insane people. This OBJ
lection is purely from a theoretical
standpoint, demonstrated by the fact
that an interview with all OF the male
cases showed that without exception
they expressed the preference to be
sent to a hospital for treatment and
came rather than TO a farm for in
ebriates.' and claimed that in their
| opinion they we're not injured or hu-
inflated by association with the in
sane.