The sun., 1915-10-18
Preventing Of Mental Disease.

The increasing prevalence Of mental
disease has directed attention Of sani-
tarians to methods Of prevention that
have hitherto been neglected. There
are few physical maladies that are
less amenable to curative treatment,
IL we may judge from the statistics
of our best institutions.
Many years ago DIR. WEIR MITCHELL
addressed meeting OF superintcnd
ents Of asylums on the crying need
for more positive curative methods
pointing out the pathetic fact that
scarcely any advance had been made
in this direction. and urging the eStab-
lishment of Laboratories and the study
of mental prophylaxis. The labora-
tories have become quite numerous,
although the practical results have
not vet been encouraging.
An article in the Medical Record
by DR.. J. r. Ernst Of the Government
Hospital for Insane IN Washington
offers abundant food for reflection to
citizens who understand the fearful
menace TO the community presented
by mental depreciation and disca 80.
lIercdity being the principal factor.
the doctor very properly emphasizes
the need OF removing this cause by
educating the people with regard 10
l.. tat t.xs
legislators have been justly criticised
because they attempt to prescribe,
as In the Wisconsin statute. certain
practically impossible conditions.
A little common sense applied to
the matrimonial subject would bring
better results than all the BrieuN
plays and eugenic laws Certainly Il
cannot be difficult 10 ascertain the
mental heredity OF men or women
If they have been residing in com
munity. or II they are recent comers
energetic inquiry may at least eStab
lish the mental integrity Of the marital
candidate. The burden OF proof should
Ilt with tlP fanlluhttS.
Dr. ERNST holds thar the present
public school system exercises a per
nicious influence upon the child by
reason Of It's crowded curriculum
Particularly Is this true, he ayers. in
the education of girls. He makes the
startling statement that higher eiu.
cation Is an additional factor in the
mental breakdown OF The female pa
tient, and that institution statistics
have shown that the majority Of
women patients are those who have
attempted difficult mental tasks and
have pursued II course of study much
better suited to the ma asculne mind +"
So serious an arraignment of The
higher education of women must meet
with scepticism at a time when they
are striving with might and main to
demonstrate equal mental ability with
men and equal capacity to enter into
any vocation.
Another important factor Of incrcas-
ing mental disorders is the imperfect
Segregat tion of undesirables in the i'm
migration office. To remedy this de-
feet Dr. ERNST recommends what THE
SUN has hitherto urged, namely. 4
larger number of trained experts To
scrutiniZe more closely the mentality
Of immigrants. the number of which
in ordinary times is beyond the ca
pacity of the United States Public
Health Service and of the State ey-
perts; and that each ship should carry
medical officers and nurses for this
purpose. and that all doubtful cases
should be detained for observation.
with the time for deportation on ac.
count of mental diseases heightened
TO five years.
II is incumbent upon those Ia whom
the community looks for guidance and
instruction TO heed these words Of
warning. Especially is II the duty of
every parent to investigate the men
tai antecedents OF marital asprants
and sternly to reject those who are
not free from taint. That Is the only
way to avoid ruined prospects and
blasted lives for long line of help,
less descendants.