The New York herald., 1921-02-13


that is almost invariably successful.
Fifteen years ago New York state
adopted modern, humane methods of treat
ing the mentally and nervously sick. They
have proved all powerful. and in consequence
the horror has been taken out of the insane
hospitals
There is nothing new in. the treatment
by therapy spoken of by the Western super
intendent. II has been used effectively for
the time mentioned. And work OF an agree
able kind. preferably in the open air. and
light intellectual diversions have also been
ased to good effect in these years.
Il you that in my visits to the
nearby hospitals in meeting the patients.
either men on women. / meet nice, quiet per-
SONS who may arouse pity but not feeling
OF horror. II would be the in the
case Of the casual visitor. Conditions. in
fact, Of this pleasant kind are well nigh
invariable and they are due entirely to the
r odern methods OF cure for mind dis
cased"
Wards of the State the insane poor
and except for the brief period of time when
they are first placed under observation the
city's Department of Welfare has no per-
sonal concern with them. Yet even in this
brief time they receive the same humane
treatment. and before they sent TO the
various hospitals conducted by the State an
ameioration in their condition frequently IL
to be observed.
Commissioner Bird s. Coler was warm in
his encomiums of the prevailing methods Of
hospital treatment, as of certain physicians
in charge of hospitals for the insane who
have made advances in the therapeutics OF
mental maladies.
Commissioner Tells of Evils
Resulting From Old Mistakes
we have here" said the Welfare Com
missioner. "a hand the pulse Of these
persons In the letters we receive from their
relatives and friends. 1t used TO be Gus
tomary to get many complaints as TO the
condition and treatment OF patients Now
adays we get letters, to be sure, but they
are letters OF approval.
without going very deeply into the medi
cal side OF the question II may easily be
appreciated that In the old mistaken days ali
cases being grouped together persons OK
defective mentality or backward intellect
were harmed seriously by herding with the
genuinely insane. i have no doubt but that
persons were rendered insane by this con
tact. Now observation of high type. per
fectly scientific, separates the classes. and
the individual who can be cured by the
introduction of thyroid or other medicine to
Offset or remove a physical defect can be
restored TO reason. Indeed. know OF many
cases where they have been thus restored
"One such occurred with an acquaintance
Of my own. He had led a sedentary life and
overworked his brain. He began TO have
hallucinations. He appeared sane enough
until somebody would ask him 10 get on a
street car or other conveyance; then he abso.
lutely refused. II obliged 90 take a cab o.
a car he would tremble as if going before q
cannon's mouth. In month or more he
would have been adjudged crazy by the un-
scientific observer.
but as soon Ms he came under the obser
vation Of DIR. Marcus B. Heyman on Wards
Island that expert observer saw that nature
demanded food for the sufferers thyroid
gland This was administered. and In less
than six weeks he was restored to his family,
completely sensible and cured Of all illusions.
"Dr Heyman has been a profound student
of mental Diseases and In practical apphca
ton OF the knowledge he has gained while
holding important places under the state.
particularly I'm Central Islp he has shown
that he misses nothing that has been devel-
oped by famous men in these lines the world
over ! believe that he is as advanced In his
methods as any physician in this country"
The same reputation Is given DR.. Heyman
by specialists In mental diseases practising
in this city. Their Judgment OF him may
be summarized in the statement which sew
eral made in different words but with the
same meaning that he misses nothing and