The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-13
NUMBER OF NEGRO INSANE
STEADILY INC R A SIN
superintendent w. Il. Drewry, OF
Central State Hospital Submits
Report to Governor.
-PEILAGRA SHOWS INCREASE
Recommends Thorough Study OF
Causes OF Insanity With Instruc-
ton on Preventive Measures in
Public Schools.

The ANNUAL report of the superin-
tendent ofNthe Central State Hospital,
at Petersburg. was submitted yester-
day 10 Governor Henry C. Stuart Con-
ditions at the hospital are in n general
sense, very satisfactory, Superintendent
William Francis Drcwry represents in
his report, which is addressed to the
Commissioners of State HOSPITALS and
the Special Board of Directors"
THE administration OF internal af-
fairs has proceeded pleasantly and har-
moniously," he says. Barring misfor-
tunes that befcll some OF our colabor-
crS In the work of the hospital. the
year has been without notable occur
rences. though full of activity. :.
"Numeri8iiy, the hospital has grown
more this Shst year than in any prev
louS year. Never before have SO many
unfortunates sought n haven here. The
number reached 1925, or sevcnty-nine
more than in any other year. OF these,
forty-iive did not reach the institution
on account OF death, recovering or re-
lection, the last being idiots. Eleven
men and two women were ordered by
:he court to the special department for
criminal insane. There remained
In the hospital, October l, 1913 1856
patients. There have been admitted
during tho year, $780, We have, there
fore, 2.13G under carc.t Tho aver
age age was 80 years.
In the 574 cases received, clio were
classed as incurable. There have been
discharged as recovered. 203; as i'm
proved, forty-nve, and ms not insane
when admitted, six. And 2S6 died.
DISCUSSES PREVAILING
CAUSES OF DEATH
Review of the mortuary list will
show that the prevailing causes of
death were organic brain diseases,
heart disease, Bright's disease, castro
intestinal diseases. pallagra, artetrio-
sclcrosis and tuberculosis.
1T is shown that the number OF
pellaEra cases is the largest on record
at the hospital. the total for the year
being fortytwo. At this time there
are only thc" cases in which the
symptoms are active"
Superintendent Drewry goes on 10
say There is not going, to be any
permanent decrease in the prevalence
of insanity. mental deficiency and de-
linquency, which arc yearly adding to
the burden of the Commonwealth and
TO families and individuals. until the
eptire subject is Systematically and
experts. as to the best prophylatic
methods. Through the public schools
and the medical profession. boards of
health, etc, the people may be so edu-
Gated and trained that as much thought
and attention will be given to this i'm
portant subject as is now being given
TO tuberculosis and typhoid fever
The resignation of John W. Old, Jr,
clerk and storekeeper is reported. 1t
took effect October 10, and j. Richard
Cooke. of Richmond. formerly of
Orange County. has been appointed to
succeed Mr.. Old
financial statement accompanies
4 m
ing the amount OF appropriations and
disbursements for the fiscal year Just
ended, improvements completed and
under way. and other like items per-
tanning To the conduct of the business
affairs of the institution.