This working class, while too defective to take up the burden of life,
are yet appreciative of their surroundings and of most things that
make life happy to the people in the outside world. They require the
minimum amount of care and discipline and with this given they conduct
themselves as well, indeed, better, than the same number of sane men.
Some under this treatment recover that otherwise would not, but the
majority must remain under hospital care, this being their refuge and
their home. How much need therefore that every effort should be put
forth to make it pleasant to these afflicted men.
In general hospitals, in institutions for children, and in
reformatories we have a different class to deal with. A large number
under one roof is not so objectionable, but these cases of chronic
insanity are not children in whom the desire for a home is small, nor
are they malefactors in prison for punishment.
You will pardon a little digression, which, after all, leads to this
subject from another and a practical standpoint.
[Illustration: TWO COLONY BUILDINGS]
In North Carolina there are not less than 4,000 white insane; of
this number 1,500 are in two hospitals, leaving 2,500 uncared for by
the State. To properly house all these people means the expenditure
of a million dollars, and the annual cost of maintaining them will
be $500,000. It is well then to consider carefully how this burden
on the taxpayers may be lightened. Without discussing the question
of the increase of insanity, there can be no doubt that there is an
increased demand to have these persons cared for and properly so.
All insane persons are dangerous in some degree to their neighbors,
more so to themselves. Insanity is the cause of many suicides, while
sexual crimes, arson, assault, impostures, are often committed by those
mentally deranged.
[Illustration: PEACH ORCHARD AND GARDEN, SEEN FROM A COLONY PORCH]
Too often families are ruined by some insane member, the bread winner
having to devote his whole time to the control of wife or child, or a
crime is committed and every energy and the savings of a lifetime must
be devoted to the cost of courts. Whole communities are frequently
terrorized by an insane person and the lives of the women and children
made miserable.
Only a few recover at once or die, they live on for years not only
imbecile and helpless themselves, but a burden on the family and
community, a severe drain which must tend to weaken the general welfare
of the State.
There are sufficient reasons for you as physicians, men of standing in
your respective communities, not only to make yourselves familiar with
the disease in order that you may prescribe intelligently for those
suffering from it, but to use your influence, which is great, to see
that proper provision is made for them by the public.
[Illustration: PATIENTS PLAYING BASEBALL]
Much insanity is caused by alcohol and drugs. This touches you more
closely, for you are largely responsible for these habits. You may do
something by preventing unwise marriages of those whose heredity is not
good.
It should be your special province to recognize dangerous symptoms in
time and by prompt action prevent suicides and accidents and to send to
the hospitals at once these patients who have infinitely more chances
to recover when placed under the care of competent alienists.
[Illustration: MAKING FIRST BASE]