The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-05-11

the state because their relatives
want to get rid Of them. If the
County Commission of Lunacy, as
sisted by the two physicians, and
upon the evidence offered, find that
the person suspected is insane and
ought to be treated in a hospital,
they will commit him; but upon the
trial before the commission the sus-
pected person is required to be as
sisted BY a guardian ad litem, who
will see that he has a fair hearing.
Before the person committed by
the County Commission can be reg
istered as a patient in any OF the
hospitals he is to have an examina-
Ition by the superintendent and the
assistant physicians of the hospital,
who will again pass upon his sanity,
and if he is insane will detain him
In the institution, and if he is not
insane will return him to the county.
Another excellent feature of the
new law is that it provides that per-
sons found insane shall be promptly
sent to al hospital. 1t is Of the ut
most importance that an insane
person should receive proper treat
ment at the earliest possible mo-
ment. 1t is a great mistake for
friends and relatives of insane to
keep them at1ome where they can
not be properly treated, for a few
days may cause an acute case to
become chronic, and render the aft
hicted person incurable.
Another humane provision of the
new law is the prohibition against
keeping insane persons in jail,
which the law hereafter forbids, ex-
cept in extremely violent cases.
Provision is made that the County
Commission may communicate with
the nearest hospital by telegraph or
telephone for the admission of in
sane persons.
Another feature. is that respect
ing voluntary patients. It provides
that any resident Of the state who
lis in the carly stages of insanity,
or believes himself about to become
insane, or any epileptic, person who
is not insane, may make application
Ito be treated as voluntary patient.
The application may he made On.
behalf Of any such person BY any
relative or friend or guardian, who
may also make application on be-
half Of any idiot, imbecile or other
Iincurable mental defective for his
care and treatment in state hos
pital as a voluntary patient. These
voluntary patients will be received.
into the hospitals upon such terms
and conditions as to the payment
for their treatment and maintenance
as may be agreed upon with the
State Board Of Control.
Provision is made for the dis
charge of patients from any of the
hospitals, and for their release on
parole or on bond or otherwise.
The law also makes full provision
that in case any person confined in
a hospital, or any relative or friend
of such person who believes that: he
is not insane, may have prompt ac-;
cess to the courts for relief.
No private hospital for the care
and treatment Of the insane for
compensation can be established
without the permission of the State
Board Of Control; any such private
Hospital shall be subject TO the inz
spection and control Of that Board,
which is given authority to revoke
1.-The permit for good cause after
reasonable notice
Another excellent provision to.
prohibit the railroading Of persons.
into the asy1ums for the insane is.
that Of laying heavy penaltySuporll
anyphysician who shall make acct
Itifcate respecting the O any
personSwittiout having made the ,ex-
animation as proYidedaby Law; and
who shall make any statement ia.
any such certificate maliciously for
the purpose of having nySperson
declaredsinsane andsalso upon any,
person who shall m~aliciously at
tempt 70 have any person declared!
insane.
The new laW2cotltains provisions
for the protection Of the patients
In the hospitals, andSofst grounds
labout them from trespassers, and.
the annoying Of patients by outs
siders. It also protects the female
patients in these institutions by
heaRy penalties andgrnakes offenses.
against them feloniess
nsisipro*ided that when any per-
tson Is Committed 10 an asylum tie