Evening journal., 1920-07-22
INSANITY IN
OUIJA BOARD
Spread of Affiction Feared
If Interest in Occult
Continues
JERSEY ALREADY
y HAS MANY INSANE

TRENTON, July 22.-Unless popular
taste does not soon turn to some more
wholesome diversion than the 0uija
board or what has become a pro-
nounced interest in occult and ply
chic phenomena, the Slate hospitals
for the insane are destined 10 receive
a new influx OF patients. That opln-
ion was expressed by DR.. Marcus A.
Curry, chief executive oilicer and med
ical director Of the Morris Plains State
Hospital, in his annual report sub
mitted to the Department Of lns,itu-
tions and Agencies.
To a certain extent, Doctor Curry
said the theory Is that "a State hos
pital must always reflect any varia-
tion from normal conditions, such as
periods OF financial panic, war con-
ditiOns, religious revivals and many
OF the Fighter fads and fancies' OF
tho people which result in mental
lbreakdOwns.
"The people who seize upon spirit
ualism In its various forms" Doctor
Curry reports, "are too often either
hose who are naturally OF a highly
krung, neurOtic tendency, or who
@ve Just passed through some great
1Sle, which has temporarily de-
wlehem Of normal resistance. The
>, ltions OF mystery and emotional
strain which surround the seances
are particularly dangerous for people
OF this type. Their minds are fixed
on unhealthful topics; they are in
diced to make every effort TO feel
sensations, to hear voices and receive
messages from the world Of spirits.
In individuals OF neurOtic or hys-
terical makeup the step Is an too
short from the seance 10 actual illus
ions Of sight. touch and hearing. and
from the idea OF direction by some
dead friend through the medium OF
the .ouiia board TO definite deluslons
Of innuence and guidance. In fact, Il
/ Would be difficult TO imagine condi-
tions more favorable FOR the develop
ment Of a psychosis than those fur
i nished by repeated visits 10 MEDIUMS
and seances with constant morbid
dwelling upon supernatural manifes-
'ations, and II popular taste does not
/ soon swing TO some more wholesome
/ diversion, the State hospitals are des-
tined to receive "a new influx OF
Numerous soldiers and sailors
whose mental disease is attributable
20 their service for the country were
admitted 10 the institution. according
10 tne report. several or the cases
showed rapid improvement and were
discharged as recovered, while Others
hess satisfactory, were discharged as
improved. leaving about thirty pa
tients In the institution at the end Ol
the year. some with prospects Of re.
eovery, but the majority undoubtedl,
destined TO become permanent instr
tuition cases. Either the strain OF wal
conditions or inability 90 readius
themselves to meet civil life require
ments after their discharge is hcl,
\ to have been the cause Of commitmen
Of these patients.
The problem or help has been al
1 puzzlIng in this Institution as II
4 others. Stresslng the fact that tn
patients are not only unable to car
for themselves but that among then
are n-0sy cases with highly dangerou
hOmlcldal and suicidal tendencies IN
report states that. while one attend
| ant 20 every ten patlens is considerel
a low ratio by most authorities
Morris PLANES day nurses are a
present responsible for from twenty
ave 10 one hundred patients. Will
there are only twenty-six night nurse