New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-22
For Early Treatment of Insanity.

The State Hospital Commission is said
to have secured the support of the Gov
ernor in a project for discovering and
treating early cases OF insanity before
they reach an aggravated stage" and it
is promised that "henceforth some of the
thousands of the several millions spent
yearly on the insane in this state will be
expended on prevention"
An amendment to the lunacy law was
passed two years ago enabling the super
intendents of the several state hospitals to
establish out-patient departments and TO
appoint field agents, but it appears thar
so far the opportunity has not been turned
to full account. At present only half Of
the hospitals have such departments only
three have field agents, and OF the three
two employ one agent in common. If the
new system is Of value it ought obviously
to be extended further.
Now, there can be very little doubt
about the value of out-patient depart
ments. Putting all other considerations
aside, this state is not adequately equipped
for the care of its insane. The capacity
Of our state hospitals is nominally suffi-
Gent for the housing Of $4,000 patients.
The actual number of patients is now
about 81 900. The number is increasing,
and further accommodation is undoubtedly
necessary, nor must the out-patient plan
be regarded as in any sense a makeshift
or an emergency measure intended TO meet
occasional requirements. On that score,
however, its merits are worthy of con-
sideration when it is remembered that
every patient cared for in his own home
means a saving TO the state of S208. In
this way the cost Of maintenance last year
was reduced by more than $4,000.
A more important point in the use of
the out-patient department is that it rep
resents a further departure from the asy
lum system. The old notion of shutting up
those who are mentally afflicted, of dealing
with them simply as a public menace, IS
out Of dare and unenlightened. In a very
large proportion of mental cases institu-
tional care is undoubtedly desirable when
not absolutely essential, but whatever tends
TO intelligent treatment rather than mere
custody is to be welcomed, and every re
form should be encouraged that mitigates
The stigma popularity associated with men
tai disorder.
Above all. experience shows that many
patients hitherto confined under institu-
tional care might very well be left in the
hands Of their friends. under expert super
vision. and that by an intelligent use Of
dispensaries threatened mental break
downs might often be prevented. 1t is
difficult. and it will he a long and tedious
task, TO overcome popular superstitions
and preiudices with regard to mental i'll.
ness, but the plan now on foot should
lead to a more intelligent and more hope
ful method of dealing with such cases.
II is not at all inconceivable that in
time the project will even be EXTENDED
further and that psychiatric clinics will
ultimately be established in some Of the
general hospitals. That cannot be ex-
pected for some time TO come, but il would
greatly increase the chances Of early de-
lection in mental disorders Considering
the matter without traditional preconcep-
tons. it is a strange thing that n large
class of ailments should be entirely out
side the sphere Of the general hospital