Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-08-04


A new laundry building. a brick
milk house, a brick vestibule added
to the south wing, and many farm
buildings were additions made to the
institution during 1898 and 1894,
the panicky years. a new three-story
wing, with open fire places ornament
ing it and large verandas surround
ing the front and a portion of the
side, was constructed at cost of
S55, 900. The big railroad strike de-
layed the work somewhat.
In 1893 the first dangerous attack
made by a patient was made by a
convict, who had homicidal tenden-
cies, and who succeeded in removing
the transom from his bedroom door
and, after wrenching an Oaken handle
from door rubber, awaited the APP
proach of the night Waterman. When
the latter opened the door he was
felled by blow on the head. The
patient, in his fury, continued for a
time to strike his PROSTATE victim,
making several deep and serious
wounds.
1t was noticeable that the proper
ton of melancholics to the whole
number treated was less, and the
number of maniacs relatively higher
in this hospital. Careful study re-
vealed no other reason for this con-
dition than the difference in climate
The belief was that it was due, in a
measure at least, to the exhilarating
effect of the clear and dry atmos-
phere which obtains in the region
lying between the Cascade and Rocky
mountains.
Shock Restores Reason.
Shock is not uncommonly given as
a cause for insanity, but only rarely
is it chronicled as an element in recov-
cry. Such case happened at this
hospital. M. NJ, 33 years of age,
married; a case of lactational insan-
ity; had been profoundly depressed
and greatly agitated for months; re-
fused food and medicine much of the
time, and only replied to questions at
long intervals; while in the airing
court climbed tree, and on reaching
the top began swinging backward
and forward. The upper limb broke
and she fell about rs feet, striking
on her right side. No bones were
broken, but her hip and head were.
badly bruised. She became uncon-
scious and remained so for nearly an
hour. When consciousness returned
the patient answered questions read
lily. The following day she talked
freely and cheerfully, and described
the decisions which had influenced
her actions. Improvement went on
to recovery.
A hosecart house, bakery, plumber
shop and straw barn were added to
the institution In 1856, and a be-
was made towards beautify-
ing the grounds by planting 400
maple and elm trees.
All prisoners who became insane at
the state penitentiary were trans
ferred to this hospital, and are known
as the convict insane, and as no sep
arate ward had been built for them
up to this time, many escapes &C.
Cured.
In 1897 the board of trustees of
this institution was abolished and on
April l of that year the newly created
state board of audit and control as
sumed jurisdiction.
On the night of December 20, 1896,
one of the boilers at this institution
exploded, running one other boiler
and almost completely demolishing
the boiler house. Fortunately, no
lives were lost, the only person in
jured being the fireman in charge.
An appropriation of $4,000 was made
by the 1897 legislature to rebuild the
boiler house, which was built with
walls of granite.
Music and dancing have been from
time immemorial employed as adju-
wants to the treatment of the insane,
for the melancholic. On
the other hand the excitement of the
dance usually disturbs the cases of
mania. Every Wednesday evening a
dance is given. Most patients look
forward to the night of the dance
with a degree of pleasure. Moving
pictures are also one of the treats for
the patients, and during the holidays
an amateur dramatic company usual
ly gives an entertainment, much ap-
preciated by them.
In the summer about 80 per cent
Of the patients are employed in va
rious ways. That which they accom-
plish as laborers is not to be despised,
but the health-giying effects of out