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* ^ . y \ x k Asylum Investigation. Examination of Officials of Institution ?Some Unpleasant Disclosures--But Bad Conditions Appear to be Due to Lack of Sufficient Funds and Accommodations. Columbia gpecial in Charlotte Observer, May 8: A little row occurred in the asylum investi tiou meeting today between members of the committee oyer who should fiOItdll *t 111** ations, this beiug precipitated by Dr. Stwver, who had just re. turned from a trip to similar institutions North. Dr. Sawyer objected to Mr. Harrison conducting the examinations, contending that the previous understanding was that the questions were to bo asked by the lawyer members, Messrs. Carey and Bates. After some discussion a motion from Mr. Hardin prevailed to turn the examination ovor to Messrs. Carey and Bates. Mr. Harrison disclaimed any inten lion of being discourteous, and others explained that Mr. Harri son had got to asking questions from being specially interested in this branch of the investigation. Supervisor Mi'vhell resumed the stand this morning, but his evidence revealed nothing new ot importance, except perhaps the fact that his pay amounted to $55 a month. He has been tilling prescriptions tor the institution tor twenty years. Lie equipped himself in pharmacy by a correspondence course. DAKOKR FROM PIRK ORKAT. Dr. James L. Thompson, of the official family ?>t the State Hospital for the Insane management, was on the stand at the legislative investigation yesterday, and he disclosed some situations and conditions which are appalling. Among other things he said in answer to questions by members of the committee that there were no lire drills, no instructions with regard to tire except that the watchman was told to turn in the city alarm in case of tire. "In cage of tire", 6aid lie, "a panic would ensue and patients would burn like rats". He said the wards were provided with fire hose, but they bad not been used in a long time. v ? He said I he institution received almost every known form ol ( I disease in addition to insanity, ^ nd in some instances patients died between the station and the aeylum outer gate*. When pa.. tients come in a weak condition y* it is the custom to examine them > / and give them aid at once, but sometimes this w&- not accomjj plished as promptly a? it ought \ to be Thore ie no system of 7jr -charting the patients, and weighii ing has been abandoned. In f'j tact, there is no real modern f treatment of patients. Fresh air. \ dieting and restrain: and amueef meut were all that were used. '( A history book wa?kept in which } y the records of patieutt were kept. Fortwo yearabasebaU has been in use and this was encouraged ail it was possible to encourage. The women patients were taken to the games twice a week. There was no organized lorm of amuse V THE LAfrCAS men', except eat els and dancing, | A I except tl?a' 'he patients wore |tat<en on w.iks frequently with agenda is. NITHSKS 1'Onltl.Y I'AID. Dr Th'tmpso 1 wen* oyr the' I system ot employing and hand' iimr nur-seq. 'Plus revealed that ntusesare sopoorly paid that they | soon find oth?r jobs and ato lost. The result was that nuise? were 'discharged reluc'antly, as it was difficult to get others in their places. Two nurses in charge; ! of a patient, who, by the cireleseness of "e ot them, was allowed to mit suicide by cutting his '' ? with a ra/ >r, had never b'en discharged. Another he reported as beating a patient without cauje was retained lor six months. \)r. Thompson had not heard ot patients being buried two in a grave, out lie understood that! the institution'" plat at the ceme-1 ferv wis overcrowded and that' an ett ?rt was made to bury be-1 tween the present graves. 11 e ( understood that some bones were) due up Wi'ne-s s-dd he had charge of: do7 fpatient- in his ward. AI year ago ?i? e regents walked' through the place on an inspection tour, but did uo' look close- b ly at the b d and inspect other condition". He said the imtitu tion was doing all it could with the means at hand, but he could not call conli'ions good. 1 lie per capita allowed is only $109, whereas when ho went there in ISbl it $130 to $150, and should be at least $140 lie said the lack o! cleanliness was due to the lack of discipline and general lack ot system. The superintendent did not make regular visits to his ward aud he made no regular reports to him. Witness said patients often came to the institution from the jsds tilled with vermin. There were some hugs on the beds. ! They could not beregulaily sun , ned. About a year ago colored! women tooh all ihe beds out and! tboroDgblv tcrubbed them, but! he had never heard of this being done before or since. At the afternoon Hussion the| testimony of l)r. K. D. Sanders, ; as <o the conditions in tlie white female depart ment wa-j decidedly interesting. Nlis9 Sanders ;s a first honor graduate o! the Charleston Medical 0 dlege and has been with the institution over two years. That she has given, close study to (he conditions and \ has her department in excellent condition wan shown in her testi monv. Here it appears the arrangements are much better than on the while male ward and with a larger number of nurses and the pa ients classified the treatment cau be more easily attended and there are opportunities to improve conditions. There in no trace ot vermin although it has to be constantly fought. To Amber rut? It with whiten log iDoUtfticri with HKier Hint lastly with n little ollre oil luirt on nml waII polished off with n pleoo of Annuel. A Difficult Past. At a Ktw York hotel an out of town ' mm had 1 ? Tt lila tnnitlr ul.l.-h hurl _____ ftcvompsnted hltn to the rltj, in their j room* no long that tbej had bfcora*. iWl nn??*j About him. At lust be returned > JL. I to the roomx, ninl to the anvlouw In- j j qniry of bl* wife. "Where In the world J _ bare yon been i*> long?" he responded i f II | e?itn'>. "I've Ju?t been in (be otMpI | dor woi*lng pro and con." I >TER NEWS. MAY 12. I9G9 x The Guai m liin "RED Ri HOSI] For Men and I Every pair positive to give satis * We have iust open of these famous Soc ings and* the price 25< Coupons St with Cash Pt ? Lancaster VI 1 he News Offic< o-Date Job Pr - *3 ^ ranteed I e i > 1 LVEN" ERY Women ly guaranteed faction. ed a new line ? fks and Stockis only c Pair * ill Given I irehases. Sier. (o'py. ^ C/\l i rii+o TT^ S KJVllVitiS up inting. V\ v