The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-04-27
MORE THAN $4,000
MENTAL DETECTIVES
IN STATE, DR.. SMITH

There are more than $4,000 mental
detectives in the state of Indiana, was
the astounding fact which was laid
bare by recent survey" stated DR..
S. E. Smith, superintendent of East
haven, in an address before members
of the Kiwanis club Thursday.
THAT number of mental detectives
is two and one-tenth percent of the
total population of Indiana OF the
total number of these people, $4,000
are feeble minded, 5000 are insane,
and 1000 are epileptics. This is the
actual result of the survey made by
the Indiana committee on mental de-
fectives. This committee has func-
toned in this work without much pub
licity, but it has surveyed the schools
and civic organizations and has made
a clean sweep of the state.
Expensive Survey
This survey was expensive to put
across, but the bare facts now lay be-
fore US and the big program of the
state is to continue and advance the
work in taking care of these people.
All these people are not in need of
care, but nearly $1,000 are in need of
constant care, and from 1000 to 1900
ton.
ITO get to the source of this great
defect and stop it in the making Is
the big program of the state"
DR.. Smith declared that So per cent
of the $4,000 cases could have been
prevented, inasmuch as the causes are
not so numerous. He stated that 20
per cent of the causes were from We
nereal diseases, a small per cent due
to alcoholism, and the other cases
were ones which must be individually
fought.
Worst Existing Conditions
"In the poor sections of the country
is where the worst of conditions exist.
The stronger boys and girls, men and
won en-, get out of the poorer districts,
n but the weak remain and are the ones
? which are subject to the awful de-
fects. That is one big reason for the
large number.
For the prevention Of advancement
of these defects, a venereal clinic is
established in the institution at East
haven"
The astonishing fact which DR.
Smith brought out in his talk, was the
fact that 200 cases of the immediate
community are under constant treat
me0L III the CllnlC dJ EdSIIdNCA.
DR. Smith declared, "The greatest
menace to civilization today, is the
mental defective. Last year, total
of 10000 cases were reported in the
United States"
Wants Marriage Provision
DIR. Smith emphasized the necessity
that no marriage license be granted
without a period of two weeks notice
before the marriage tie was made. In
this way, the doctors and officials
might be able to act to the best OF
their judgment, as to whether the mar
rage should be permitted.
At this time, Dr. Smith turned tc
the problem of caring for the children
of the state.
1.-THE James Whitcomb Riley hospi
tai for the children of Indiana will be
one of the greatest institutions in the
state It will give the best of care
to the children of Indiana who need at
tention. If, Wayne county sends
child to the hospital, a fee will be
charged for the attention, but il the
county does not send child. no
charge will be made against that coun.
ty for the support of the hospital"
"Y" Worker Speaks
Phillip Gillett, for Is years connect
ed with Y NJ. c. A. work in Marking
China, was called upon for short talk
and responded with an inspiring mes
- sage to the Kiwanians. He said:
y when you leave the coast of China
for the good old United States and
you near the country of the Stars an6
Stripes. it is one of the greatest feel
ings which any American can realize
When I landed at Seattle the noun
tains we're so beautiful that l could
never realize the wonders of God:
country The sight of the Stars anC
Stripes sent a tremor down my back
and the thought of home struck me-
with thrill.
81 urge you men of the Kiwanis clui
to avail yourselves of the wonderful
things which this country stands TO
and | want you to know that l an
proud of America and its wonderful