The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1914-11-10
Institution Makes
Its First Report
Hospital Farm At Willmar Making
COmmendable Record In Fight
Against Drunkenness
Undertakes GIVEN TREATMENT
Aims To Fit Patients For Fighting
Evil Habits Acquired And To Live
Useful Lives
(From Fairfax Standard.)

(From Fairfax Standard)
A state institution of unusual in
terest, because Of the experience char
acter of its work, is the hospital farm
for inebriates located at Willmar
This hospital, with farm of about
600 acres attached, was opened about
eighteen months ago and is mostly
maintained by two per cent tax or
ALL retail liquor licenses issued in the
state.
With an existence period of less
than two years to its credit and much
of that given over to getting the farm
and buildings in shape, conclusive re-
suits are hardly obtainable at this
time, but that the Willmar hospital
farm will eventually show satisfac-
tory returns is without question. This
year the institution makes it's first
biennial report.
Many Cared For
Since the Willmar institution was
opened a total of 241 committed and
Fl voluntary patients have been cared
for. Of the patients a little over
thirteen per cent were women. Seven
were discharged as insane and 30
were released under bond in care of
relatives. Nine patients were dis
charged as not proper subjects, eth
er incorrigible or so mentally incapa-
citated as to render treatment use
less.
With the work entrusted to it
largely experimental and the treat
ment of those confined in the insti-
tuition a matter of individual study
progress has been more or less slow.
In no sense a penal institution, but
with every patient enjoying the full
est freedom, escapes have been fire.
quent and problems covering discip-
line and treatment many. Each diff
Guilty has had to be met by the
board of control, which is in charge,
and the medical staff at the farm,
and each corrected with view to
future uniformity in the matter of
treatment and control.
Many Have Escaped
One of the annoying things has
been the matter of escapes. In all
there have been 10S listed, of which
one was women. This large num-
Der of escapes is explained by the
fact that a number left the institu-
ion without permission several times.
When returned these escaped patients
still enjoyed the privileges that those
who obeyed shared in. This feature
Of the institution to date has been
very discouraging to those in charge,
but corrective measures are now be-
ng planned which it is hoped will re-
iuce the number of escapes to the
minimum.
Where family conditions demand
It or cure is made patients are re-
eased under bond and so far this plan
has worked fairly satisfactory. They
Are placed in the care of relatives or
friends. and the knowledge that these
persons are responsible for their fu-
lure sobriety has had beneficial eff
'ect. AS showing what the inebriate
hospital has done, out of % alcoholic
and drug victims admitted Fl were
so far relieved that their transfer to
he insane institutions of the state
we're prevented. Each when admitted
showing decided mental disturbance,
out as a result of the treatments
given them the number named was
prevented from becoming a further
charge on the tax payers.
Not a Drink Cure
Because of the newness of the Will
mar hospital-in fact it has really
been in operation less than a year as
far as treatment for those alcoholicly
is concerned-there is much
ignorance throughout the state con-
corning even its existence. Its real
purposes are not understood by many.
1t should not be confused with drink
cure establishments of advertised
fame, Quoting those in charge: at
is not alone the present condition of
patients brought to the institution
that is involved, but the future. The
treatment of the immediate effect of
Or drug indulgence is the
easiest part of the work, and the
Willmar institution directs its ener-
gies to building up the system through
the medium Of baths and substantial
food. These together with a certain
amount of daily labor, act as a tonic
and soon the desire for alcohol or its
drug substitutes is gone. Sometimes
drugs are necessary when the pat
lent is in a bad way, but their use