The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1916-02-19
ASYLUM lNvEsTIaArioN.

series OF articles attacking the manage
mens of the East Louisiana Hospital
for the insane, at jackson. That paper
has published In each Issue since Sun
day an article OF the same tenor. giving
different phases Of the investigation
conducted by representative OF thai
paper.
This investigation Ia no news TO tbs
people Of the Feiieianas. w ]. Lep
pert, Who Ia writing the articles for the
Times. Pieayune, spent several weeks
At Jackson and vicinity. and made Mt
seere, of his mission. For this reason
many Of The statements. nov appearing
In print for the frat time. have been
known for some time,
II Is not The purpose of this paper
at the present time, TO treat this In
yestigatton from an editorial stand
point We prefer TO handle the inyestl
CATION as news story until II hat
been finished and DIR. Clarence pierson
superintendent OF the institution. pre-
SCENTS his side os the case
brief resume Of the charges made
by the Times, pEcayune against the
East Louisiana Hospital and Its man.
agemeni follows
The frat story. APT caring on Sun.
day. was largely human interest
story preparing the way for more
damaging statements against the con.
due, of the Institution, The point was
stressed that DIR. pierson tried to
hamper the investigation In every way
that he could
Mondays developments were OF 8
more sensational nature II vas brought
out that the cart used for carting off
yard sweepings. refuse and ofgal, to
bring vegetables to the kitchen. 10
carry beef from slaughter pen to
kitchen. Is also used az hearse. II Ia
also stated that no religious service of
any kind liz made at the burial of A
any kind Ia made al the burial nf de-.
ceased inmates, and when no claim liz
made for the body of deceased pa.
fieut, II Ia removed TO the dead house
where II is disseeted
The statement is made that none of
the assistant physicians have had suf.
feient experience to warrant their EN-.
nloyment In treating the insane.
The expose relates m operation of
skin grating In which ten square
Inches OF skin were removed from the
body of Ri insane girl patient and
placed on the body OF female relative
nf tr pierson who had been severely
burned The statement IL made that
the burned grit Was placed under com
plete anaegshesia and that only local
application OF cocaine was administer
I'd to the insane patient II is said that
his operation vas conducted without
he consent OF the insane girl or any
II her relatives.
Tuesdays story has to do, In the
main. with the personal relations OF
he investigator and DIR Plerson while
he Investigation was being carried on.
md has little to do with the main
ssues involved, though II was brought
mi that one of the assistant physicians
rad been discharged after a heated
with DIR. PIefson following
he assistants action In permitting the
newspaper man 10 inspect the insiitu.
lon, Caustie comments are made con.
erning some OF DR. Persons actions
lnring hts late campaign for governor, |
Wednesdays revelations concern san.
Iation, care OF patients and the danger
i fire to which the patients uf the |
are subjected. tina, some of |
he buildings are verltahle fire traps, |
hat Are drills are never held; that the |
and fire estingnishers and other Are.
ghtlng apparatus are not kept In
roper condition for instant and Ell. |
eient use, and that. In case OF fire,
| would be almost matter of I'm. |
disability to remove all the patients
D safety
II Ia further stated that bedhugs.
ats and reaches infest the institution,
nd horrible story Ia related wherein
40 attendants amused themselves by
wing string To rat and permitting
he rat to run across the body Of an
,aane male patient.
II Ii stated that Ice. straw berries.
laats OF all kinds, coal, gasoline,
'uck products and live stock are sold
ON this institution.
The statement In made that the fine
stemobile In which DR., pierson rides
as provided by the State and that
he State pays his chauffeur,
The story published Thursday morn.
an Ia La II |