Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-15
SEEKING FEDERAL AID
TO CARE FOR PATIENTS
Virginia Will Appeal to Government
Authorities for $4,000 to
Complete Buildings.
WILL INCREASE CAPACITY
Western Hospital at Staui ION and
Another at Marion VIZ BE En-
iargcd TO Accommodate Moro
Insane People.

With information in hand tina, there
are $4,000 cases OF insanity now under
observation in tho army, plans arc UNI
der way for Virginia TO take care of
1000 OF them At the various state hos
pitfalls. In order that this may he done
without delay. {. Il. Kelley. OF the
Virginia Council Of Defense. will go
TO Washington this morning in the CT
fort to secure approximately $5O.0OU
plctc buildings nov in process Of con-
StruCtiop at the Southwestern state
Hospital. Marion. and the Western
state Hospital, Staunton.
The sum of 100000 has already been
expended on Il new structure at Marion.
and $4,000 on tho one ut Stanton.
for. the completion of each OF these
buildings. Superintendent Drcwry. Of
the Central state Hospital for colored
PERSONS. located at Petersburg: has
will also try /" get the same amour;
from tho United states. max ing for the
three institutions a total OF $4,000
NEW BUILDINGS Will.
GREATLY INCREASE: CAPACITY
Al present the Southwestern state
Hospital and the Western state Hos
pitnl can each accommodate ia pa
tents. The new buildings will IN
crease their capacity 30 i65. The East
crn state Hospital can accommodate
Twenty-Five soldiers. aud the new build
fifty. So far there have been but
fourteen shell-shock cases treated in
NirEnia, and all Of them have re.
covered Eight of them received
treatment at Staunton.
This matter was brought to the at
tention of Governor Davis about two
Charles =: Banks chief medical cx
aminer, Washington. relating to the
accommodation OF insane. soldiers and
sailors discharged from the service, in
which the unofficial statement was
made that there were already $4,000
mental cases under observation. and
corning the capacity of Virginia TO
help meet the situation. The Governor
referred the matter to the Council of
Defense. of which c. K. Kelley is en-
ecutivc secretary.
MANY MORE CASES
MUST I'll; CARED FOR
with the disqualification Of persons
discharged from the military and naval
rapidly procceding." wrote Mr.. Banks.
there will be discharged "a large mum
Der of persons suffering from mental
disease. and it will be "a problem for
the Bureau of War Risk Insurance.
which is responsible for furnishing
such cases medical and hospital treat
in suitable institutions. 1t is con
sidered highly desirable that they be
ret, not only to their own States.
$4,000 MENTAL CASES
NOW UNDER OBSERVATION
Mr.. Banks then stated that many Of
the $4,000 mental cases under oDser-
walton might be temporary alterations
or mild cases. yet that this could not
be predicted as final judgment. He
then inquired of the availa BILE hospital
facilities in Virginia and of the posi-
biity OF the next Asscmbly's making
appropriations to meet the situation.
He concluded with this statement:
10 I,A u 49, Il T..
these cases are charge upon the
government of the United States
through the Bureau of War Risk In
Surance. which is obliged TO furnish
hospital treatment for disa blcd. dis
charged soldiers and sailors. and that
payment for their care in State in
rates charged the public for such serv-
ices"
MIR. Kelley stated that Virginia
would ask 500 Il month for the treat
mcnt of the patients.