Evening star., 1950-01-13
Continued From First Page.)

nave the support OF Healtn OIn-
Ger Daniel Seckinger in seeking
Improvements for the long criti-
cized psychiatric division. He
hopes, he said, to provide active
treatment for acutely Ill patients
so some of them will not have to
be shunted along to st. Elizabeths
for short-term care.
He plans to give shock treat
ments if he can get the equip
ment, establish a teaching course
for resident doctors and internes
in psychiatry, and perhaps try to
borrow some help from st. Eliza
bethS.
DR.. Gordon visited Washington
recently and conferred with Dis
trict officials. as we'll as authori-
ties at medical schools here.
His appointment will relieve
DR.. Joseph L. Gilbert of respon-
sibility for the Gallinger depart
ment, leaving him free for full
time service to his job as Dis
trict alienist.
In December, 1947, the Com
missioners voted to relieve DR..
Gilbert of the Gallinger job, and
establish the post of chief medical
officer in psychiatry. Congress
subsequently approved the posi-
ton. Since then, however, DR..
Gilbert has retained direction of
the department, owing to inability
of District officials to find a man
for the job. The low salary was
frequently cited as the reason.
DR.. Stebbing said salary for the
unclassifled job is $7,911. The
position, however, is now before
the District Personnel Board,
along with other top Gallinger
posts, with a recommendation
that 1t be classified under Civil
Service with higher pay ranges.
DR.. Winfred Overholser, super
intendent Of st. Elizabeths Hos
pital and professor of psychiatry
at the George Washington UNI
versity Medical School, praised
the long-awaited appointment as
an excellent move in the right
direction"
II hope now" he added, "the
Commissioners will follow up with
consideration of some Of the plans
submitted to improve the service. !"
One Of the greatest needs, DR..
Overholser said, Is for q new
building to replace the present
psychiatric structure. which he
said is wholly unsatisfactory" ]"
In development of a program, he
added, the present building could
be put to good use, but new con-
struction is urgently needed.
Until some steps were taken
Ito insure adequate supervision
Of training" In the Gallinger psy-
chiatric setup. DR.. Overholser
commented, medical schools here
didn't care to get involved"
II hope that by next year we
can work out something along
these lines" he added.
In addition to the chief medical
officer post. five psychiatrists are
on duty in the department. Spots
for only three resident training
jobs are authorized, however, and
only one Of them is filled, officials
said.
DR.. Joseph Fazekas, Gallinger
chief Of staff, said the appoint
ment will provide a director who
should set up an integrated pro-
gram to meet the entire needs"
One official said DR.. Gilbert has
done a conscientious job to i'm
prove conditions but was simply
overwhelmed by the pressure of
his job as District alienist."
Star Told of Conditions.
The Commissioners move to set
up the separate post two years
ago was made after The Star, in
series of articles terming the
service "a disgrace to Washing
ton," described conditions in the
psychiatric wards. The articles
pointed to manacling of patients
and other conditions resulting
from undertaking. poor equip
ment and inadequate facilities.
A short time later, DR.. Samuel
B. Wortis. psychiatry director of
New York's Bellevue Hospital, in
survey Of the department, like
wise branded it as a disgrace"
He proposed 26 specific recon-
mendations for improvement,
headed by the need for a new
building and substantial increases
in personnel.
Facilities Improved.
DR.. Stebbing said improvements
have been made in seclusion room
facilities and in continuous tubs
for soothing baths. but that not
enough personnel are available
to service them adequately.
Psychiatric department work.
ers, including nurses and attend
ants. were requested by the
Health Department for the 1851
fiscal year budget but were Topped
off in the Presidents request to
Congress.
Only provision for improvement
remaining in the budget, DR..
Stebbing said, calls for funds for
an elevator in the administration
building of the service.
IL