Norwich bulletin., 1916-03-04
THE PSYCROPATHIC HOSPITAL
By Dr. Frank K. Halock, Cromwell Hall, Cromwell Member of Executive Committee of Connecticut Society For Mental Hygiene

In conserving the nervous and men, tai health of the citizens of Connecti- cut, the most pressing need to-day is the establishment of Psychopathic hospitals. In several states, single large, centralizing institutes have been erected, but I would advocate the es- tablishment of Psychopathic Hospitals as separate annexes or departments of both the state institutions at Middle town and Norwich, and of the general hospitals in our large cities. This latter plan may not conduce to such a high degree of expert study of nerv- ous and mental problems. but for practical, widespread and satisfactory results, it has much to recommend il. As an integral part of the already ex- isting institutions, the economic op- eratiOn of the separate anneXt is readily provided for and the service | tive, is spread over a wider territory. The Psychopathic hospital may be defined as an institution which stands | midway on the road from sound men, | tai health to actual insanity. It's func- | ton is to receive, study, and treat | those who are threatened with or have shown signs of impending mental dis order. Its great object is to rescue | and happily, if may be, turn back to | mental integrity those entering its | doors who otherwise might continue
 their progress toward hospitals for | the insane.
 Purposes of Such an Institution. l Among the purposes which such an institution would fulfill are these: - First, as a reception hospital for the following classes of cases:
 i. For all those of doubtful nature requiring study and observation away from the home environment.
 2. Causes which have come before i the court, but whose commitment is pending luther development of symp-
 toms. The disposition of this class
 of cases, I am told, is enEa ging the
 serious attention of the probate assO-
 citation of our state.
 3. Certain types of cases of acute
 or definite mental disorder which
 need active treatment and are unmis-
 takably curable.
 4. For certain special cases. sucf
 as the paranoiac or crank type. IT
 statements made by Doctor Stewar
 Patton and Dr. L. F. Barker in the New York Times, to the effect that
 available psychOpathiC hospital:
 would undoubtedly be one of the chic means of detecting and preVenIinE
 the dangerous proclivities of such per. sons as Schran5 and Gallagher. tn, assailants of Col Roosevelt and O i Mayor GaynOr; also if such institU
 tions had existed at the time, they might have figured largely in avertin!
 the loss of our three Presidents whC
 were assassinated within the last nal
 century.
 Second-the psychopathic hospitai } would serve a humane purpose of th
 highest order.
 |, l. Such a hospital, if operated il - connection with a general hospital
 as preferably it should be- would b
 a great factor in dissipating the un fortunate and unjustified stigma at tached to residence in an institution
 for the insane. People in genera ' would learn that mental disturbanc is only one form of sickness anon many others, and that il is unfair am
 scientifically incorrect to separate so completely from every other il 3 which affiicts us. 9 2. The comfort, satisfaction. an 9 beneficial effect to the individual an 3 to his family to have such an insti ? tuition to enter. would be inCalCulablC . 3. Its humane and helpful influenC 5 would also be extended to those case
 which might be affected adversely placed among large groups of patient 2 in the institutions whose function i of necessity largely cUstodial. 2 Third-the personal and ecOnomi value of the PsyChOpathic Hospital. 1. The preventive or prOphylacti value is very considerable. AIOder , scientific methods have only latcl been applied to the inciuient cases c | insanity, but already the promise c l good results is being fulfilled. It 8 largely the psyChopathic hospital s abroad and in few of our own state f which have made possible the medica - and psychological investigations no7 k filling with hope the minds of stu | dents of psychiatry that at last some y thing definite can be accomplished.
 2. The prevention or recovery of
 single patient has a value not easy {
 calculate in all it's bearings. Firs