The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-01-19

ACutS w SpcC1al COurSeS OF Treat.
ment.
Columbia, Jan. 15.-"Upon assum-
Ing the duties Of superintendent on
May ], 1915, a study was immediate
~ begun to ascertain the most urgent
needs of the hospital and how to meet
them. In contemplating this prob
lem, two objects have been kept prom
inently in view, namely, the better
care and treatment of the patients
and the conserving Of the appropria-
ton for gross maintenance, expend-
ing it to. the greatest advantage pos
sible for the patients"
This paragraph at the outset of the
|annuai report Of DR.. c. Fred Williams,
superintendent of the State Hospital
for the Insane, is the keynote of the
entire report, which is 16 printed
pages. and is accompanied by the re-
port Of the board Of regents and the
architect and the statistical matter
covering something like 100 pages ad-
ditional.
Dr. Williams tells Of visiting hos
pitals in other sections of the coun-
ty and finding that the undesirable
features of the South Carolina State
Hospital contrasted strongly with the
better features OF the hospitals visit
ed. and the needs Of our hospital were
very apparent" He enumerates over
crowding, dark unhygienic wards, in
adequate sanitary arrangements, etc.
After a careful consideration, the
most urgent needs appeared first to be
the remodelling Of the wards for white
male patients where the lack of bath
ing and toilet facilities and the neces-
sity for open wards and day rooms
was clearly seen; second. a congre-
fgate dining room for white women pa
ltients, thus relieving, to large ex-
tent the overcrowded condition in
a6akA aanyerfips
the numerous small ward dining
rooms into ward space. also giving a
more economical and efficient method
OF feeding the patients; fourth. the
need of sanitary dairy; fifth, a CEN
trail heating plant and modern laun-
dry machinery.
Er. Williams then enumerates some
Of the difficulties encountered in car
rying into effect the policy stated.
First was the serious drawback Of the
lack of water at State Park, necessi-
tating the removal of 100 patients to
the main hospital until that deficiency
could be corrected. He also describes
the expense necessitated in trying to
improve the conditions. He declares
that much Of the furniture was dilap-
idated and that there was a. general
atmosphere Of barrenness ahd that the
patients had to use their beds for
lounging places in the day, making
the wards untidy and increasing the
ONPCASC VI lllc
The patients have lived up to the
word patient and have cooperated with
the management and have endured all
fardships rendered necessary by the
crowded conditions
DR.. Williams after reciting briefly
the progress in the last 100 years in
the treatment of mental disorders.
tells of the reorganization of the med
ical staff Of the hospital and describes
the daily meetings of the medical Of
ficers of the State hospital. All en-
trance examinations are typewriter
and are submitted at these meetings
for discussion as 20 the proper treat
ment for the patients. The progress
and possible cure Of the individual
patients are also discussed and the
hospital has systematic way of ac-
knowledging letters from relatives Of
inmates. This requires a great
amount Of time.
The hospital is getting away from
the use Of drugs and requires patients
to rest as much as possible and hydro
therapy or the use Of hot and cold
water packs, congresses and baths is
also practiced to a great extent. The
question of diet is also given great
consideration. especially with pella-
grins.
Cases of pulmonary troubles are
isolated and treated apart from the
other patients and major operations
are performed without charge by sur
Geons who are called in for that pur-
pose. One Of the most important