Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1902 — A MODEL HOSPITAL [ARTICLE]

A MODEL HOSPITAL

Is the Institution For the Care of the Insane Near Logansport. SUPERINTENDENT IS A DEMOCRAT Retained Under a Republican State Administration Devoted to the Principle of Non-Partisan Management of Btate Institutions—Modern Methods In a Wonderful Institution. The vicious and cool prostitution of these (state penal and benevolent] institutions to partisan ends by the present administration merits condemnation by the people of the state. The above quotation from the platform of the reorganized Democracy of Indiana comes properly under the classification: “Important, If true.” The charge made is a serious one, but it will be noted that it is accompanied by no specifications, and the truth is that it was insincerely made and is entirely unsupported by facta. It may be seriously questioned whether a political leadership which through the medium of a state platform, makes public charges of this character without other justification than the demands of party expediency, may claim credit for a sincere devotion to the policy of nonpartisan management now In operation in the public institutions of Indiana. It is perhaps not unfair, in this connecton, to call to mind the statement of the Indianapolis Sentinel on March 9, 1889, in reference to the management of the state institutions under the last era of Democratic control in this state: “The men who were selected by the Democratic party have brought everlasting disgrace to the party that has honored them. They have proved recreant to the trust committed to them, and have robbed the state with a free hand.” One of the typical state institutions Is the Northern Indiana Hospital for the Insane near Logansport. A Democrat, P. A. Young, contributes to the South Bend Times, a Democratic paper, a well-written description of this great asylum and its management. It will be noted that the superintendent of the institution is a Democrat, as is the case in several other Indiana state institutions at this time —a condition which hardly squares with the Democratic state platform statement that these institutions have been “prostituted” to partisan ends. Mr. Young writes: A Wonderful Institution. Closely allied with the name of an Insane hospital In the minds of a vast majority are scenes of horror, imaginary creations of conditions aptly described by the word hideous. The thought of an institution where the unfortunate mentally afflicted are confined conjures vivid pictures of padded cells, of rude keepers, filthy quarters, devices of torture supposed to be essential in the care of the violently Insane. If such methods were ever utilized they have become obsolete, at least In Northern Indiana hospital— Longcliff—at Logansport. As complete was the surprise of the newspaper man, so would also be the astonishment of thousands of others should they be permitted to pass through a modern hospital for those who no longer retain their mental powers. Some days ago it was the rare privilege of the Times reporter to gain access to every department of the second thirty-four counties are directly interested in the conduct of Longcliff, and hospital in point of size in Indiana. Inasmuch as hundreds of persons in as thousands of taxpayers are indirectly concerned In the management of the hospital, the presentation of the impressions acquired by the reporter may not be annoying to readers.

The 81te a Beautiful One. Whatever may be the status of the Eastern, the Central or the Southern hospitals for the insane, Longcliff is a wonderful institution. Three hundred acres are contained In the tract, that number being reached a few years ago when the state purchased a piece ot ground to prevent the establishment of a roadhouse at the very portals of one of its benevolent Institutions. Of this great parcel 160 acres are in timber. The institution proper is composed of twenty-seven separate buildings located on a cliff, the soil being rock. The structures are surrounded by a complete “windbreak” of trees, and overlook the Wabash, famed, through the song “On the Banks.” A scenic approach to thef hospital is known as the “cliff road,” and it was by this route that the newspaper man was ushered into the presence of Dr. Joseph G. Rogers, superintendent of Longcliff and recognized as one of the leading authorities in America on treatment of the insane. Dr. Rogers is president of the American MedicoPsychological association and a Democrat who has been faithful to the trust

reposed in him by Democratic publican administrations. A Remarkable Man. In a foregoing paragraph the writer applies to Longcliff the term “wonderful. The word is not extravagant. No public or private institution of like magnitude is conducted on principles more thorough, sound and creditable than is Longcliff. At its head is a man of remarkable executive ability, of nagnificent mental development and es brilliant scientific attainments. In proof of this assertion the reporter will state that Dr. Rogers possesses knowledge of every underground pipe or main of overhead electrical connections? of every well and pump on the grounds; that he can tell in a second the number of cattle on the place, amount of pounds of milk secured from a cow during the milking season; that he is in a position to report in a very few minutes on the number of acres cultivated in any year since he entered upon the superintendency; the kind of crops planted in any 100-foot strip, the number of bushels realized and the cash value of the various products thus harvested. He knows the capacity of boilers, of the engines, of air compressors, of dynamos and water lifts. He receives reports from every department and every ward each morning, knows how many patients are ill, gives his personal attention to serious cases in consultation with the head phys._ian, Dr. Darnell, and in a few minutes can report on the number of deaths, the causes, names of the deceased, residence and places of interment for any year the interviewer may name. Construction of Ward Buildings. The primary classification of those confined at Longcliff is regarded as follows: The noisy and violent; disturbed and disturbing; the quiet nonworkers; the suicidal and epileptic; the quiet working class; the sick and infirm, and the neat, quiet, mutually agreeable class. The wards occupied by these enumerated in the above seven classes are models of cleanliness. Not even a speck of dust can be discerned.* The visitor is surprised at this condition. The floors are as highly polished as are those in the finest dancing hall; the ceilings are steel; the walls of adamantine; the stairways of iron and the steps of black polished slate. The buildings are fireproof, dis-ease-proof and neat. The epileptics are confined by themselves, and in the tuberculosis wards the poor, emaciated consumptives are isolated. They have special bath, lavatory and fireplace; the floors are impervious vitrified tile and the walls are enameled. The expected disagreeable odors are lacking in all departments, and in the sleeping rooms, where scores of single beds with the best of springs and mattresses stand within a yard of one another, * the coverlets are as stainless as can be found in the most scrupulous housewife’s apartments in the city. Every room has perfect ventialtlon, the fresh air in winter being obtained from conduits opening funnel-shaped about twenty feet from the base of the buildings. Each ward Is fitted with a spacious loggia wire screened in the summer and glass-covered in the winter, so that patients can look upon nature as she changes her garb at all seasons. Hospital wards are provided for patients and employes and each is fitted in hygienic style, operating chairs and surgical appliances being conveniently placed. In' the various wards patients can be seen playing cards, checkers, billiards or pool; in the female wards the organ or piano, while the sewing and knitting needle from a part of the paraphernalia and some very fancy creations issue from these departments. Others read newspapers, magazines and books and are remarkably well informed upon the most important topics of the day., Female Inmates play and can read music. Methods Conducive to Longevity. The methods employed at Longcliff are conducive to good physical health and longevity. Any of those confined there, if left at home, would long ago have been lowered into the grave. Regularity in eating and sleeping, with pure air and exercise, are responsible for the general health, not a single case of sickness being recorded out of the 837 patients confined within the hospital when the reporter visited the place. The treatment is humane and scientific. No brute force is displayed, no blows struck, no matter how violent or unruly may be the unfortunate man or woman. Science has revealed means to conquer what in past ages may have required brute strength and manacles. None in the advanced wards ever attempt suicide. •Many appear happy and are unwilling to leave the institution. A fact which even the physicians are not competent to account for is found In the declaration that few patients, no matter how advanced their mental decline, fail to recognize the significance of the magic word “home.” A Complete Institution. Aside from the ward and administration buildings the writer gained access to the assembly hall, the power house with its immense boilers, engines, motors, air-compressing machines and dynamos; the kitchen, cold storage plant, bakery, pharmacy and “mortuary.” All belong to one great system. Ice is cut on an artificial pond and when summer approaches the water is turned out of this basin to avoid the dangers arising from stagnant, diseasebreeding pools and the land is used for the cultivation of potatoes or some other product. With the Trustees. . . An hour spent at the session of the board ,of control convinced the reporter that the same systematic, honest and careful inethods noticeable about the grounds also govern the actions of

the trustees. Absolute harmony/ was characteristic. *No contracts for inferior foodstuffs or supplies were let, and the suggestions of Mr. Zahrt, the clever and far-seeing purchasing agent, who understands the conditions of the market as thoroughly as any operator on ’change are generally acted upon with the result that thousands of dollars are saved by buying when quotations are low. Judging every department, every method and every act of trustees, superintendent, physicians and attendants, the writer must still admit that Longcliff is Indeed a wonderful institution. No state can show its superior.

newland.

Miss Mamie Ahlers, of Francesville, visited friends here Satunday. Mrs. Frank Holser, of Aydelotte, is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Caster here this week. 9 Several from here vent to Kersey Sunday fishing. They report a good time. T. M. Calahan visited friends in Chicago andattendee ;..e ostmagters’ convention at Hammond last week. John Burris has purchased a new buggy. Get on the good side of him girls. Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Caster spent Sunday with their daughter, Mrs. Pearl Davis, near Gifford. William Long has been working for Chas. Bussell at Della this week. Thos. Hendrix and family have moved to one of William Burris’ farms near Valma. John Richmond went to Medaryville Saturday on business. Harry Gifford and wife did shopping at Rensselaer Saturday. Clarence Armstrong, of Della, visited his brother near here over Sunday. We saw a piece in one of the papers last week claiming B. J. Gifford could not rent all his farms this year. That is a mistake. He has most all of his farms rented already and could rent fifty more if he had them. Of course some tenants will leave but that is no more than customary every place where farms are rented. Some of them could not stay if they wanted to and they are the ones that generally make the- biggest howl when they leave.