The New York herald., 1922-11-12
ASYLUM HEAD SAYS
RICH GIRL Is INSANE
DR.. Packard Ayers Dorothy
Gordon Is Properly Confined
at His Hospital.
DENIES UNChE'S CHARGES
Declares He Too Would Keep
Her in Institution-Calls
Guardian Kind.

Special Dispatch to THE New YoRK HEaALp.
BOSTON, Nov. 11.-Dorothy Davis
Gordon, whether she is insane in any
accepted meaning of the word, is a
suitable person for the Mclean Insane
Hospital at Waverley." and IL her uncle.
John Gardiner were to wrest guardian
ship away from William Jardine, he
would probably leave Dorothy where
she now is. at the Waverley hospital"
Such are statements by DIR. Frederick
III. Packard. superintendent OF the Nc
Lean Hospital and one OF the leading
neurologists and nerve specialists OF the
country.
The girl Is now In DR.. Packards
charge. The question of her guardian
ship is the subject of one OF sensa-
tional hearing. Counsel for the girls
uncle have intimated a contention that
she is the victim of greedy guardian,
Jardine, who. for personal gain. has
thrust her into an insane asylum to
prevent her from marrying and escap-
ing his guardianship.
The girl heiress to the fortune of
the late Frederick D. Gordon. Is in con-
finement at Waverley with due regard
to all necessary legal proceedings In
connection with the commitment OF a
patient to such an institution, Or.
Packard AYERS.
He asserts Dorothy's guardian treats
her with kindness, visits her frequently
at the hospital and appears to have
her interests at heart
In an interview DR.. Packard was
emphatic an saying he believed Dorothy
Gordon is now in the right place and
that she is neither being abused nor
being subjected to cruelty by her
guardian He also made it clear that
the girl, when she was taken to the
hospital for the second time. March
o. 1921. signed the voluntary applica-
tion for admission required of every
patient committed unless patient Is
admitted on a court order.
State records in this case-reports
made to the Department OF Mental
Diseases by DR.. Packard-show that
Dorothy was twice committed to the Nc
Lean Asylum. both times December,
1916. and March. 1921, signing the ap-
plication for her admission.
Records also disclose that shortly az
ter her first voluntary commitment she
was committed on the order of a court.
Two physicians competent to pass upon
her condition made a special study of
the girl and reported their finding to
the Judge.
Since her second voluntary commit
metn on March 22. 1921. there has been
no court commitment.
Dr. Packard said that neither Dorothy
Gordon nor any patient could be spirited
Into the Mclean Asylum. nor into any
reputable insane hospital. public or pri-
vate, in the State. All due legal formali-
ties, he said, had to be conformed with
and the hospital authorities satisfied
from the observation OF their own staff
specialists that the patient was fit
subject for hospital treatment and care.
Nor can patients remain at the Nc
Lean Asylum after they have regained
their health to such degree that asylum
authorities feel no further treatment Is
required. DIR. Packard made II clear
that Dorothy Gordon would be released
Just as soon as her need OF treatment
ended.
Commenting upon charges by the girls
uncle. Dr. Packard remarked:
'If the uncle feels that way. why
doesn't he go to the courts and seek TO
have the girl released? Why doesn't he
sue me?
"As understand Il. the girls estate,
which the uncle Is seeking 10 take over,
amounts TO between $4,000 and $780,
900. II consists OF the Gordon Towel
Supply Company. II the uncle were TO
acquire control OF this property and
guardianship of the girl I am rather in
cined TO believe that he would leave the
ward where she now is.'