New Britain herald., 1924-10-07
EVERYBODY CRAZY?
 ASK DR. R.L.,LEAK
Very Fine Distinction, Says Head Of MiddletoWn Asylum

A number Of patients in the state hospital for the insane at Middle town so to that institution voluntar- fly, according to a statement made by pr. R. l.. Leak, superintendent, in an address to the Lions club at the Burrit hotel today.
 fDr. Leak was the principal speak CT and followed a demonstration by Clarence Willard, ,"the man who grows" Robert Deming, state Americanization commissioner, was among the guests as was a Mir. Wal lace. a lyceum bureau salesman.
 The attendance prize, fashlight, was donated by Sidney Congdon and won by Harry G. Hancock.
 In opening his address, Dr. Leak said some people known how to get into an institution and some know how to get out again, but very few know how to get in soon enough 50 as to be sure of getting out again.
 He said many people come to the institution voluntarily, realizing that It is simply mental sickness. There are at that place now 319 criminal insane of the dangerous type. <
 He said the care and treatment of mental diseases is to a large extent a matter of mental hygiene, taking care of mental habits is the same as taking care of physical habits" He said there are 30 patients now at Middletown who either are murder CTS or have assaulted someone with intent to kill. Half of this number, or Is of the offenses, he said, could have been prevented. The families and sometimes even the communi- ties knew of the murderous tendency but did not take proper steps until 1t was too late.
 He reiterated a statement made a few weeks ago that such terms az bug house, loony, crazy or insane" are not used any more except in the case of legal documents the word "in- sane" sometimes is necessary. He said 1t is mental sickness"
 One time he said people thought that if person were crazy that was all there was to it. Now experts rec ognize P different types of mental sickness. One cause" he said differs from the other the same as one personality differs from anoth. CT"
 He said about 6S per cent are in. curable while about 25 per cent are discharged as cured or markedly improved.
 He repeated that there are no padded cells at Middletown, patients are not tied down to beds and left to scream and struggle nor are strait jackets ever used except where it is necessary to save patient from self destruction. There is not single patient locked in any room at any timc." he said. We have no locked doors. you can use the back door as well as the front"
 He said most patients are handled under "a gentleman's agreement" :" The craziest man in the institution today has charge of building a dam and has four employees and SO pa tients under his supervision. This man could be trusted anywhere in the United States if he gave his word of honor, the superintendent stated.
 He told of the hydro -therapy treatment, of immersing patients in lukewarm water when they become violent and said this treatment has proven so effective that many pa tients inclined to lose control of themselves, beg for the treatment.
 Because of lack of time Dr. Leak was unable to finish his talk and by unanimous vote was invited to come back again when he will be given a further opportunity.
 The Lions club directors have adopted a suggestion of starting a campaign to Know New Britain" and a committee consisting of George A. Quigley. Harry G. Han cock and C. W. Buckley will make plans.
 Dr. Leak was asked a few ques- tions after the meeting. One on the subject of surgical treatment for mental disease, in which he did not seem to have much faith. He also was asked if it were true that every one was more or less crazy. He laughed and replied. That is 6 question we do not like to think about, but the truth is we do not make the distinction we did a few years ago."