Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-15
ROT1IBTTION FAILS TO CHANGE
NUMBER OF ALCOHOLIC CASES
Same Average of One Day Continues at
Washington Asylum Hospital.
Many odd Timers

Prohibition has failed to increase or
decrease the number of alcoholics sent
to the Washington Asylum Hospital for
treatment, and with amazing regularity
the same old average of one per day
the institution.
The only difference noted is that
while alcoholics. suffering from a dose
of very-much- too-m pure whisky
used to be brought to the hospital, the
cases treated now vary from the
patients who have been imbibing con-
centrated lemon extract or perhaps vol
let perfume to those who have given
pure wood alcohol a trial. The results
from the latter are more serious ana
require longer treatment.
Washington Asylum Hospital has no
ambulance service and does not go out
fof it's way to look for patients. The
cincts. where they are taken after be-
ing picked up in varying conditions on
the streets. The cases usually arrive
at night, although there is no scheduled
time Of arrival
90 Per Cent "Old-Timers."
An interesting feature in the treat
ment of alcoholics at the Washington
Asylum is the fact that approximately
go per cent of the patients received are
"old customers" those who arrive, re-
ceive treatment and rest and are sent
on their way sober-only to return
weeks, or perhaps months, later to go
through the same process.
Prohibition was expected to ac-
complish many things, and it did
failed to reduce that class Of alcohol
les who naturally would receive treat
ment at the municipal institution.
These, it is stated, are afflicted with
a form of mental disease which seems
to require periodical stimulant from
alcohol.
It is safe to say this class will de-
part this earth in time, and the COM
ing generation will be free from the
affiiction. Then the cases might di-
minish.
Contrary to another popular belief,
prohibition has failed to increase the
number of drug addicts in Washing
ton. Proof, if it is such, is furnish ed
by the local asylum hospital, for
addicts are brought there for treat
ment as used to come before the dry
laws went into effect. This may dis
prove theory that the person ac-
customed to taking stimulant Of one
sort relies upon another when his
favorite is withdrawn.
Gathering Place OF Lunatics.
The Washington Asylum Hospital
has one class of patients to deal with
which probably is characteristic of
this institution alone. The capital
seems to be the gathering place for
lunatics, for they come here with
amazing regularity and are picked up
on the streets and sent to the hospital
for mental observation.
The reason is simple. according to
physicians. Washington perhaps is
the best known city in the United
States and is the seat of the national
government. Hundreds of lunatics
are afflicted with the belief it is their
duty to correct what they think is
mismanagement of the nations af-
fairs. and to Washington they come.
Many of them come to see the Presi-
dent himself, though number be-
lieve their mission lies with Congress
and HE, to the Capitol. An average
of two a day arrive at Union station
and are either, picked up by a police
man, from whom they request in
formation, or else at the White House
or the Capitol.
p Their plight Is pitffut, and the
tragic side. is far mora in evidence