The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-09-11
THE HOSPITAL FOR INSANITY

Insanity is disease. Yet some states backward or benighted that they have laws auirng that the patients mental condition be testified to and passed upon by a jury. ThiS parading of the sick persons infirmities before the public is brutal and it reflects upon the in telligence of the people who tolerate such medieval practice. Barbarous tribes subject their mentally sick members to torture, neglect or death. Some of our states go about 1t with greater refinement but quite as effectively.
 In New York there are four ways in which patients may get into the state hospitals for the insane, and these hospitals are the very best places for such patients, no matter whether they have great wealth none. Here are the four ways: 1. Voluntary act of the person desiring treatment. In order to gain admission to the hospital the patient must be able to compre- hend that he is i'll and he must be able to member the details of his admission. I know two professional men who enter state hospitals in this way from time to time for treatment which they know is best given in these hospi- tas.
 ?. By physicians certificate on request of a lreative-the family doctor gives the certificate, in where the patient does not object to |entering the hospital but still does not under stand the details of voluntary admission or does not appreciate the necessity for hospital care.
 3. Emergency certificate of health officer upon which person can be detained for 30 days, for cases acutely ill requiring immediate care. This should obviate the wretched practice of keeping insane persons confined, even for a few days. in jais or police stations.
 A. Petition request of relative, eXamin- ation by two physicians and an order of com mitment by judge of any court of record.
 There is still prevalent among people wh9 are uninformed or whose ideas about insanity and its treatment are gained largely from ic- ton, a feeling that it is unfortunate tragic to enter a hospital or sanitarum for treatment of mental trouble. These institutions should courage more visiting by the public, for the wis., itor who for himself the atmosphere and the wholesome spirit in the hospital is to recognize the advantage of such care and treat ment for any one with mental disease.
 Too often the attitude of superintendents and other officers in these hospitals is lazy, callous indifference to the public opinion If not the medical superintendent or his medical staff, then some special representative of such an in- sttution ought to serve as good will officer and break down this harsh aloofness and childish horror, most of which is as silly the lurid fancies of the sucker from the sticks on his first sight of big town night life.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Dope
 Please tell me wha. soa think of the use of vcrona for insomnia. Has it toxic dosage, and if so what is it? co. \. ID
 Answer-I should not advise the use of any narcotic or hypnotic drug except under your physicians care.
 Weasel Turns White
 Dr Brady said he docs not believe there Is any such animal as a weasel that turns white in winter. Webstcr's Dictionary says the er- mine, weasel of northern Europe, assumes a pure white coat in winter except for the tip of the tail which remains jet black Evidently Dr Brady's knowledge of zoology is less complete than his knowledge of physiology. F. NJ. Wo
 ou Hni5Ht Siiy my kHOWieuSe Ol zoology is practically nil I still do not believe there is any such animal as an ermine. Webster was competent etymologist, but as a zoologist Noah never did shine.
 Lady Likes Celery
 I am B years old 64 inches tall and weigh 178 pounds. Aside from headaches my health Is excellent. For the past three months have taken extraordinary liking for celery. and eat from one 10 two punches daily. l can scarcely wait for the grocery man to deliver it n the morning. 1 cat it without even salt When the stalks are gone I eat the leaves. (Airs F. 4. C.I
 Answer-Fine. It's good for you
 Tobacco and Diabetes
 have had diabetes for f2 years. I now en- oy Q diet. with the aid of insuln. that would nave killed nie f2 years ago. Most of the men with diabetes that have met. smoke. 1 d0 not sni0isc for | was only 70 years old when dc- gcIoped diabetes. Bilt l believe % per cent of lduIf malc diabetes patients use tobacco. (s. z. M) Answer--rhank you for the observation. It rather weakens the fancy that smoking tends Q prevent diabetes.