Last fall the press often seemed to indicate a startling increase
of insanity among the inmates of the New York State prisons, and it
aroused scientific discussion. As the number was larger from those
prisons where work was silent, it was held that the want of exercise
was the cause. But when it was shown that from the Elmira Reformatory,
where work is constant, 65 were transferred to the State Hospital at
Matteawan, the State prison authorities cannot account for the sudden
increase. Over 700 the past year were sent to this hospital from penal
institutions.
Who can measure the value of services to those restored as producers,
and who would lower the standard of care, if it would result in
preventing a single recovery? Many live in hospitals surrounded with
everything necessary to their comfort and who may never fully recover,
but their burdens are lightened and lives sweetened so far as it is
possible to do so.
Hospital treatment of the insane in this country has made great strides
in the right direction past few years, by substituting proper and
healthful employment in place of mechanical restraint, thus stimulating
a return in the patient to normal conditions, and naturally improving
the prospect of final recovery.
The hospital of to-day is not a prison. It is a place where those
skilled in the treatment of mental and nervous diseases continually
minister to those affected; where health-promoting vocations are
encouraged; where books, magazines, music and entertainments contribute
to the pleasure and restoration to health of patients.
It is a startling fact that of those who were discharged as recovered
nearly one-half had been received at the hospitals within a month or
two after the affliction, and most all of them were afflicted less than
a year prior to their admission.
In view of this fact, it becomes the duty of friends and persons
afflicted with insanity (whether in prison or out of it) to see to it
that they are early placed in the hospitals, for the probabilities of
recovery are greatly in their favor.
Music both vocal and instrumental, has been found to be exceedingly
valuable to restoring unbalanced minds; even brass bands and orchestras
have been an untold help.
The people of our State have a right to expect that its insane who
are cared for at its hospitals, shall have the best medical skill
and attention, and the best care that can be given them; pleasant
surroundings and good dietary. To this end let us continually labor to
always maintain the highest standard of care for those unfortunates.