Evening star., 1938-12-28
Progress Is Reported
In New Drug Use
Al St. EIizabeth's
DR.. OverhoIser Tells of
Psychiotry Advances;
Reports Bed Shortage

Medical scientists at St. Eliza
beth's Hospital are continuing to
make progress in the employment of
new drugs in treating mental cases,
field in which the Government
hospital pioneered, DR.. Winfred
Overholser, superintendent, said to-
day in his annual report for the
fiscal year ending last June 80.
A special ward for insulin and
metrazol therapy was operated from
September l to June l and about 100
patients were treated. Prior to the
starting of the insulin therapy, Ror-
schach tests were made on patients
and will be checked again after COM
pletion of therapy
Suspended in Summer.
DR.. Overholser reported the in
sulln treatments were discontinued
during the summer heat but were to
have been resumed in the fall.
Psychiatry has progressed far since
st. Elizabeth's was established in
1855, DR.. Overholser said, and the
institution is making contributions
to new remedies and displaying a
willingness to accept the discoveries
and findings of others. The hospital
was one of the pioneers in this coun-
try in the use of hydrotherapy. and
was the first in the United States to
employ the malarial treatment of
general paresis developed by Wag-
ner-Jauregg.
Whatever the scientific develop
ment in the fields of psychiatry,
however" DR.. Overholser said, "one
old and sound principle will always
be adhered to; that of kindness, con-
sideration and courtesy in dealing
with patients -"
Other Drugs Investigated.
Among other studies being carried
on in the medical department is
one concerning the effects of benze-
drine suPhate in depressions, and of
amniotin and theolin in the depres-
sions of later life. Investigations of
the significance of hyperostosis from
tails interna also are under way.
DR.. Overholser also referred to
studies begun of the relationship
between hearing defects and para
mold tendencies, as well as the effect
Of a new drug, dilantin, upon epilep-
tic convulsions
The malarial treatment of pa
retics has proceeded as usual, with
periodic inoculations. The type of
malaria used during the last year
has been exclusively the quartan
type. Toward the end of the year,
however, arrangements were made
for reintroducing the use of tertian
malaria to be used with those pa
tients who did not successfully take
quartan malaria.
Hip Fracture Technique Improved.
Some time ago the hospitals
surgical clinic was equipped for the
use of the Smith Peterson nail in
the treatment and mending of frac-
lures of the hip. Since then, the
report said, greater efficiency and
better reslts have been noted.
DR.. Overholser pointed out that
the functions of a public mental
hospital do not end with "the most
humane care and enlightened cura-
tive treatment of its patients
Such an institution, he said, owes
an obligation to the scientific world
in spreading knowledge and in car
rying on research activities.
An estimate of $1,251, ,720 for the
support, clothing and treatment OF
patients at St. Elizabeth's is rec
commended for the next fiscal year
Admissions to the hospital continue
to increase, and there is still q
shortage of beds. DR.. Overholser
estimated $50 extra beds should be
provided to cover immediate needs
and to include the replacement OF
temporary buildings erected in 1918
This group of buildings, which has
$50 beds, is in dilapidated con.
dition and not thoroughly f1reproof
The patient population increased
800 in the past year, and 1t is neces-
sary to put additional beds into
crowded wards to take care of new
patients.