The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1915-02-05


conditions or traditions. but with tho
hope and determination to sec condi-
tiOns AZ they actually exist today. and
to present to you only tho facts. and
to offer for your consideration Il con-
5tructive nnd practical plan for tho
future development OF this institu-
tion." says A. p. i]crring. NJ. d., sec
rotary OF tho Maryland Lunacy conf
mission. who was appointed by Gov.
Richard !. Manning to make Il careful
md unbiased report on conditions at
the State Hospital for the Insane. Tie
report was completed last week by Or.
Herring and has bccn sent to the gen-
arol assembly. DR.. Herring was sug-
| ,cstcd to Gov. Manning by Thomas W.
Salmon. director OF special studies Of
Tho national committee for mental
| hygiene. Both OF thcso physicians
have national reputation and thcir
! conclusions carry weight In medical
circles.
SUuth Has Been Backward.
In tho outset OF his special report.
which was presented after several
weeks OF investigation DIR. Herring
| says TINT. taken as whole. tho South
has been backward In making mod
ern provision In caring for the men
tally afflicted.
This, I take" says DR.. Herring,
| has boon due principally to financial
causes. and not from any want or lack
| OF sympathy or desire on tho part of
the people to do all in their power
| to relieyc tho suffering and promote
tho rcCo{ory OF thcRc unfortunates,
who have. been afflicted with tho most
distressing OF all diseases, namely, in
| sanity. There Is, am glad to say,
an awakening taking PLACE all over
the South on this subject. Maryland.
Virginia, North Carolina, Texas and
u few othor Southern States. have
! spent large sunni OF money In ercct-
Ing now buildings and In raising and
maintaining high standard OF caro-.
caualled only by tho most progres-
sive States Of the North and Middle
| West.
~. State Coming to tho Front.
South Carolina. In ,the care and
treatment OF tho insane, is just about
to emerge. 7 hone. from condition
that other States have had to face for
moro than so years. Tho conditions
now existing In the South Carolina
Sfatn hospital woro to be found In
New York and Massachusetts. and. In
| TACT. wrrc moro or less general
throughout tho country a hair century
nGo.
II am firmly convinced tha. now is
tho Oppor:une time. tho psychological
moment when, under your wise and
thoughtful leadership. tho conditions
! which wa all deplorc; and should
never conlnne. will no abolished and
South Carolina placed in her rightful
rosttion. The people OF. the State will
sccl very grateful to you. and tho
nicmbers of tho general assembly,
who should glvc frcoly. after careful
confederation, of tho State resources,
So as to afford theaH afflicted wards
! NJ the state every opportunity to re-
! cover, and, wchere this Is not possible,
| then to mako their remaining days as
happy and contnnted an possible un-
der tho circumstances"
| 4. Tho Report.
Tho report is presented under four
| i. Tho general requirements ro-
garding tho care and treatment Of
patients suffering from mental dis
eases.
| 9. The present conditions ut tho
State Hospital for tho Insane.
| 5. Suggestions for Improvement
4. Amendments to the lunacy law.
ScIcral pages or tho report arc
gIven up to the general requirements
regarding the care and treatment OF
patients suffering from mental dis
nascs. Dr.. Herring says that In maxi
Ing or suggesting any radical depart
urc from established custom. It Is Inn
portart that all have proper conceps
tion OF the fundamental principles re.
Sarding such changes and "that wa
plan wisely and we'll. and that these
| nj b Her
+ sene ,shonld ,copfOrms 10 the highest
standards known to the. medical pro
fesstoh;v 1.scg
The report says that the dictates or
humanity demand that the insane
shall be provided with 4 everything
! Which medical, aciencG. has determine
ed totbe essential 20 Tho recovery OF
those who are reG0yetable..a well as
for the proper care. & comfort aud
anielieratiorl ot those who remain nm
| recovered. 8. 8 ~ y. ~ -. = 4 & ~,
mo. system for the care ana treat
mont Of the dependent ,tns1ne," says
DR.. Herring, scan be successfully adj
minister ed which is not sustained ia
Its ordi nary operati ti0ns by the highest
oFder NJ human emotions; no system
can be fairy regarded as good which
directly or indirectly relies upon 10
! low order OF these emotions. Cnp,d.
ity and self interest, should have no
sway, where suffering Z humanity Is
concerned" !" II - z
St Discussing The human eide Sof the
Question DR.. Herring :aays that in-
sanitay k by! TAR the most widely prsv-
aient or diseases. He says that among
the dependent Insane are TO be found
Representatives Of all the PROFESSIONS,