The Washington times., 1920-06-27

ton from the interior of the colon Very often scars are
found in the neghborhood of the infection.
Enlargement of the glands in the mesentery the proc
ess between the intestine and the abdominal wall often
mental disease These enlarged glands become
filled with colon bacli and other poisonous germs, and
their removal in many cases has restored patient to
sanity
The Xray has been found of great service in deter
mining the existence of conditions in the intestine that
lead to insanity For instance, barum solution is in.
jected in some cases into the intestine This produces
strong shadow in X-ray pictures These pictures are
taken at regular intervals and the rate at which the
barum is moving shows there abnormal retention in
the intestine and how serious it is.
Finally these authorities suggest that if the abdomi-
nal troubles are discovered and corrected in good time
child or young person may grow up perfectly healthy
and intelligent instead of running the dangers of insanity
and mental disturbance.
From the foregoing it is easy to see how very mpor
tant and advisable it to eradicate as soon as possible all
apparent infection before any mental symptoms occur
Tho treatment in order to be ecacious, should begin at
the first noticeable sign Of mental symptoms and in that
case it is undoubtedly true the above facts indicate
that the number of committed to the hospitals
for the insane could be materially reduced.
1t is true that in the past the teeth have been ex-
racted the tonsls have been removed and gastroes-
final analyses have been made but each was made sepa.
racy and with thought at the time of any OF them
being Of the possible of insanity II was not
until Dr. Cotton began assduously delvng into possible
causes that focal Infection through these agencies was
recognized in its relation to insanity And it was through
his efforts that this infection has been successfully traced
through the body into the stomach and intestinal tract
and its determination in many cases accomplished, as
a large number Of cases record will prove.
In order appreciate the blessings Of such scientific
modern treatment of the insane it interesting to recall
the history of the notorious British institution sometimes
called "Bedlam," which was the prototype Of the old
fashioned madhouse This institution originally an
ofshoot of monastic order at Bethlehem, in Palestine
An establishment of the order founded in London
and was known Bethlehem Hospital" An accepted
pronunciation Of Bethlehem" in England has always
been Behlem," while the more ierste have called 1t
"Bedlam" Hence from centuries Of association the lat
ter word has come to signify any oldfashioned insane
asylum and also the whole world of insane people
In early medieval times the monsstic order took care
of few mad persons In addition to its services to the
poor and unfortunate generally The records show that
as early 1877 there six madmen in the hospital
but it not then really msdhouse The insane pa
tents often treated with the crude bruttes char
acersc Of the middle ages but the systematic crueties
the srstsckes the maddening tortures did not reach
their fullest development until comparatively modern
times when the medical profession in complete con-
troll Of the institution.
Mediaeval treatment Of madmen based on the