The Washington times., 1922-12-06
STEL|zAbETH'S 5
REPORT IS
FILED
Law Providing for Voluntary
Commitments Asked-6ig
improvements Noted.

Immediate change in the process
of commitment OF patients to st.
Elizabeth's Hospital Is asked by
Secretary of the Interior Albert B.
Fail In the section Of his annual
report devoted to that hospital. re.
leased today. He requests passage
of bill now pending in Congress
which provides:
First-Persons held for treatment
as alleged insane persons, upon
temporary commitments in accord
ance with the present procedure,
may be held SO long as Is necessary
for care and treatment without
formal trial in open court as now
required, unless such formal pro-
ceeding II demanded by the alleged
insane person. his, relative or friend,
the District Commissioners, or the
court. The present law provides
that such persons may be, held Tor
not to exceed thirty days, neces-
stating bringing the patient into
court to secure adequate treatment.
This process" It is stated. lis
harsh and unnecessary and in many
instances highly injurious to the
patient. The proposed law provides
such safeguards and opportunity for
public hearings that there Is no
danger thar persons would be
improperly committed and held"
Voluntary Commitment.
Second-A system of voluntary
commitment. by which a person
feeling himself to be in a condition
Of nervous or mental disturbance.
which requires supervision or treat
ment, may voluntarily apply for
treatment. Provision is made that
such persons may not be held more
than three days after applying for
release.
An increase of seventy-three
patients is reported for the year,
bringing the total to $500. The
total number Of patients under
treatment during the year was
4,67S and the number Of discharges.
including deaths, was 778. The
daily average population was $3.50.
an increase Of 141 over the previous
year. The total number Of admis-
sions was ISL. a decrease OF S4S,
and the number Of deaths 284, an
increase Of Is.
There has been steady improve
ment in the care and treatment OF
patients and the physical equipment
of the institution" the report states.
There were 1929 admissions to the
department Of internal medicines,
and 17,40S surgical dressings were
made and 212 operations performed
during the year. A bedside X-ray
equipment and new operating room
auuinpSQnt wera installed
The out-patient department has
under instruction the following
patients: Occupational. $40: in
dustrial. 325, and professional. S31.
a total OF 1926. .sr
"a Nurses Graduated.
The training school equipment has
been increased and twenty-four
nurses graduated.
A shop and storehouse building
have been completed and occupied.
a complete milk room installed, in
Guiding clarifying, pasteurizing, and
cooling apparatus. Two feed rooms
have been added to the COW barns
and two silos of 400 tons each are
being constructed.
The cold storage plant has been
remodeled.
Resurfacing Of much Of the road
in the grounds has been completed
and 14,400 square feet Of concrete
road laid from the fire engine house
TO the brick road at Hitchcock Hall.
Additional fire equipment has been
provided. r. .....
Installation Of q new automatic
telephone system. and a radio out.
fit for entertaining the patients.
have been completed.