Evening star., 1939-06-25

brought to an end by wrapping per-
sons in cold sheets, by sedatives,
etc.
Gallinger has very few of these
facilities. 1t was never intended
for the type of persons who need
them.
attendants Trained.
st. Elizabeth's has nurses and at
tendants trained in scientific ways
OF handling a maniacal person.
They don't engage in fisticuffs or
wrestling matches. A broken bone
is almost unheard of. Instead. a
patient is brought under perfect
control in few seconds without in
f1icting pain and with no physical
injuries.
Gallinger has no such facilities
But it must keep its patients some
how under restraint.
DR.. Gilbert and his staff psychia-
trists are frankly ashamed of the
methods used. but they do not know
what else to do. They are methods
frowned upon by phychiatry for so
years.
The violent are put under sheet
restraint"--tied to their beds with
sheets so that they are unable to
move arms or legs. They struggle
violently. The night scene in a
ward might be an enactment of a
scene in inferno. The bonds mage
cruel abrasions on arms and legs
The doctors must be constantly on
the lookout for infections from
these abrasions.
Even so the method is not safe
Some OF the insane are possessed of
almost superhuman strength. They
can break loose. Others seem to
nave the skill of Houdini in split
ting through all sorts of knots and
TWISTS. Some are devilishly cum
nlng. They get themselves free and
lay motionless, waiting to po1nce
on an unsuspecting nurse or guard.
Leather Cuffs Devised,
Dr. Gilbert and his assistants have
tried to modify the rigors of the
system. They have lately devised
leather leg and arm cuffs which are
less cruel-but the violent patients
break them.
During the past year there have
been at least 20 serious accidents
to nurses, attendants. other patients
and the maniacs themselves.
Inc other patients are terrified.
especially at night. They have no
murderous impulses. They know
they may be pounced upon at al
most any time.
Nurses have been beaten almost
to death. One elderly lady, a vet
eran on the Gallinger nursing staf1,
was beaten over the head with a
1eeding cup and owes her. life only
to peaceful patients in the ward
who managed to pull her out of the
clutches of the maniac. The in
sane themselves have suffered brok-
en- bones from the efforts to restrain
them.
Most Of the year the psychiatric
wards are crowded far beyond
capacity. The limit provided for
is 1853. At one time during the
winter there were 210. Now there
are only 1876, partly due to the fact
tnat a psychiatric population al
ways drops off in summer due to
many factors-greater ease of car
ing for them in the home. scattering
OF the general population, etc.
Decrease Only Temporary,
The decrease is only temporary.
DR.. Gilbert is sure. Under the old
system he used to shift at least 20
per cent OF his patients to st. Eliza
beth's within u hours. Now Gal
inger must keep them and handle
them as best it can-in a manner
reminiscent of the insane hospitals
OF the Middle Ages.
What If patient suddenly goes
mad and becomes violent in the
home?
Formerly all thesfamily need do
was summon the family physician.
He got another doctor to sign a
commitment certificate and called
Tor the police wagon. Now nothing
can be done due to the complicated
legal machinery which requires an
order from the court to the United
States marshal.
OF course, If the family can per-
suade q violent patient to 70 to
Gallineer voluntarily 1t is all right.