The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-03-08

this. MT Harrington, can only be brought about by every single per- son in Waterbury becoming con scious of the crying need for hav- ing here an adequate clinic.
 As l said before, to my personal knowledge there are many cases on the waiting list which is very long. and when an emergency arises we have to take the patients over to New Haven which takes time and money. If Waterbury had clinical facilities, the lot of the social worker would be much easier. I am confident that this movement to raise funds for this purpose will be successful.
 Preparation for physciatric ex- animation takes much time and study. I may tell you that the very first step Is thorough physical examination which very often shows up major difficulties which sometimes are contributing causes of the nervous condition of the pa tient. Treatment is long and costly. The patient Is kept under observation and Is studied .intens- ively by the physciatrist and social worker. Frequent visits are made to the clinic and home conditions are improved where necessary. Recreational outlets are an import ant part of the treatment.
 Benefits
 In the case of children, an ef- fort is made to interpret the child's difficulties to the parents.
 You ask what 1t would mean to 1aaNIo 1x,I,o 1,ox,n $bn honofif of fhlc treatment. We'll, very often 1t means the difference between hap piness and unhappiness, success and failure, because as we all know, an individual who cannot adjust himself to everyday life is bound to have a very rough road to travel.
 If you take the long view. this movement ought to save lot or money, inasmuch as the city In the future will not have to pay TOT so many patients in state institu- tions. You know the old saying "Prevention is better than cure. We'll, this is where timely treat ment will bear fruit in eyars 10 come.
 Mental hygiene is.l indeed pre-. ventive because the symptoms oi emotional maladjustment, If rec. ognized in time, can be controlled and in many cases comptete break down Is, averted.
 I think we all agree that tne treatment of crime and depn- auency has been entirely changed for the better in the last Iew years. The motivation or Scrime and particularly of juvenile denh' ouency is a very complex aIialr, and great authorities have voiceo the opinion that the legal macnIn-' tiyeness when it takes ex-Governor cry will function with real eiiec. Smiths advice that a physciatr,sL should prescribe treatment TOT criminals before trial.
 MT Harrington, must not set out of my depth for this really 's not my subject. and for souno opinion I would refer you to the probation department where sucn problems are coming up daily.
 Causes
 It is difficult to give a direct answer as to whether youths pr adults are principally affected. As YOU know the difficult or what ,s known as the problem" child cer- tainly seems to come to our atten- tion with increasing frequency! put this may be explained perhaps py the teachers, most of whom have had physciatric training, are quick to detect symptoms.
 Now as to adults; if we. had n well equipped mental, hygiene clinic, many adults could be trea.so because you will readily realize the last five years have caused many frustrations and neuroses. Fnmi- lies. where there was a regular III, come and a comfortable standard of living, have been reduced to dire poverty through the. depres- sion, and a. man who has seen ms savings, his house, and even ms insurance go, is likely to have nttie physical or mental strength ielt. Here is where the most importanl work can be done in rehabiltatins mentally and physically the man or woman who has been buiieteu about and has lost his initiative 10 plan for himself.
 Speaking for my own prolession. I can say definitely that physciatry is of first importance, as indeed U is for anyone who has to deal With human beings. We social worNers are constantly meeting people Who ,