Show Appreciation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MAKING FIRST BASE