The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-04-02
CONGESTION AT
STATE ASYLUM
PRESENT QUARTERS AT THE
STATE HOSPITAL FOR TIE m
SANE BADLY OVER CROWDED
IMPERATIVE NEED or MORE
BUILDINGS.

jamestown Democrat: Taking into
consideration the proportionate in
crease in population. there has been
an increase of insanity in the United
States OF from % to rs per cent in
the last few years. The following will
give an idea OF the increase as 1t re-
lates to North Dakota and the state
hospital for the insane:
From 1909 to 1911 inclusive. the
gain In population was So inmates,
From Jan. /, 1911, to Jan. !, 1912,
there was a gain in population Of SO,
or almost as many as In the two pre-
ceeding years. From Jan. 1, 1912, to
March /, 1912, there were S6 admis-
sions to the institution. Almost as
many in the two months as had been
committed in the year previous.
The normal capacity Of the institu-
ton, as regards sanitary conditions,
is 500, while the present population
is S04.
1t has been necessary to transform
Easements and attics into wards, jn
order to afford accommodation to the
increasing population. One building
intended to house 5, has 1913 patients
on its three wards. Two patients are
put in one bed, and all rooms intend
ed for only n patient, have two
beds in them.
There are no means of se~gregating
the male tubercular patients from the
other patients, and several cases are
known to have recovered their normal
mentality, and later become afflicted
with tuberculosis, without a doubt
contracted because of their having
been associated with patients so af-
fected.
Since work was commenced on the
new ward building, now under con-
s%truction, there has been admitted to
the institution more patients than it
will accommodate. and it will in no
way relieve the existing congestion in
the institution.
There has not been a report on the
condition of the institution, since 1890
that has not called attention to the
fact that mare buildings were neces-
sary for the incoming population, but
50 far, there have been no more grant
ed than keeps the situation about
the some:-(More patients admitted
during the time of it's construction
that would be accommodated by the
building on it's completion). There is
always a congestion in population.
Minnesota, a comparatively new
state, has i've state institutions for
the insane, with a population Of APP
proximately 5000. Iowa, another new
state, not much older than North Da-
kota, has five state institutions, with
approximately 5000 insane. Showing
that comparatively the burden for the
care of the insane, is not so very
heavy in North Dakota as compared
with adjacent state, at least, not sc
much so, that adequate accommoda.
lions should not be provided for these
wards of the state. Over crowding ii
not conducive to best results In the
4 care of the insane. Their mental con.
dition many times being due to SOM
such unsanitary surroundings pre-.
vious to their becoming afflicted.
The state hospital for the insane 1!
not a local institution in any sense
of the word, as it's population is made
up of residents from every county ii
the state. and the people, generally
should interest themselves in til
wants and requirements. A state in.
stitution is usually an object of which
the people are justly proud, and will
the outlay of a little additional money
this one can be made as complete anC
up-to-date as any in the country.
1t is hoped that our next legisla,
ture will take full cognizance Of thu
existing conditions vand make bette.
provisions for these u~nfortunates, wis
through no fault of their own, ar,
deprived of their reason.
The full capacity Of the institution
will have been reached in from eigh'
to ten years at the present rate o.
increase, and will necessitate the
building of seven more buildings il
the present plans are carried out.
North Dakota is justly proud %
her educational institutions, let he
also be proud of the institutions tina
care for those whose darkened menta
vision make them dependent on tn
well and strong. 1t pl-inly is a dut.
of those blessed with a sound min,
and body to care for these unfortun
ates in the best possible manner a
regards quarters and care.