The Ely miner., 1914-09-11
ASYLUM CHARGES
UPHELD IN REPORT
STATE OFFICIALS SUSTAIN MRS.
CAW'S ARRAIGNMENT OF CON.
DITIONS AT HASTINGS.
ASSERT VERMIN DOES EXIST
Sanitation Is Found Lacking and 9th
sr DeplorabIe Conditions Are Cited
Causes Are Given-Remedies
Being Applied.


Being Applied.
st. Paul.-The report Of the two
members of the state board Of visi-
tors ON conditions at the Hastings
asylum FOR the insane has been filed.
Probe Follows Charges.
The two members made their inves-
tigation at the instigation of the gov
ernor, following charges made by Mrs.
John d. Cav of Chatfield after visiting
her father, E. NJ. Douglas, in the asy-
lum. These charges were supplement-
ed by DR.. H. M. Bracken, executive
secretary of the state board of health.
Chief among the findings of the
two members of the board are declara-
tions that vermin were found to exist
in numbers in the main building and
in cottages 1 and 2; that tubercular
patients have not been properly seq
regated; that the asylum authorities
have failed to comply with the law
be reported, and that the superintend-
ent and other heads placed too much
confidence in subOrdinates.
Basis of the Inquiry.
The state board of control was given
opportunity to examine the report of
the two members of the board of visi-
tors and to accompany the report of
the board of visitors with a statement.
w. A. Nolan and Rev. E. j. Nystrom
were the two members of the board
ton. Their expenses were paid out of
the governors contingent fund and
they were given authorization to carry
their investigation where they might.
E. M. Douglas, father of Mrs. Cav,
died shortly after she made complaint
of the treatment given him. Tuber-
culosis was the cause of death.
Findings as Reported.
The report of the board of visitors
is divided into three sections, classified
as Findings" Causes and Recon-
mendations." The findings in brief
are:
That vermin does exist in the
main building and cottages 1 and
2 and still existed on later visit
though efforts had been made to
eradicate it.
That care of the sick is improp-
er and open to severe criticism.
That tubercular patients are not
properly segregated.
That tubercular cases have not
been reported according to law.
That the cottages below the
hill' are in good shape and in no
way open to criticism.
That the kitchen, utensils, stores
and food supplies are in good
shape, fresh and clean.
Causes of Conditions.
Under causes" the two members
report:
Laxity in supervision on the part of
superintendent Yanz and his assist
ants and Over-confidence in subordi-
mates and taking too much for grant.
ed; carelessness and negligence on
the part of attendants, especially on
the part of Chief Attendant Bolton
of Cottage 1, who is reported to have
left the state the day before the board
arrived, and transfer of patients af-
flicted with communicable diseases
from other institutions.
Recommendation Are Made.
Under recommendation" the board
suggests:
A permanent resident physician to
supplant the town doctor who receives
$500 a year for answering asylum
calls.
A hospital for care of patients with
communicable diseases.
That no patient be received without
medical examination, and until hos
pital is established, that no patient
with such disease be received.
That tubercular patients now at the
institution be segregated and given
better care and diet.
That the old building be remodeled.
fireproofed and put in sanitary condi-
ton.
Remedies Already Applied.
In it's statement the board of con.
troll says number of the conditions
complained of already have been rem
edied. That the board of control plans
to retain superintendent Yanz is evil
denced in it's reply.