The Press. THURSDAY, JULY 14, 1904. THE MENTAL HOSPITALS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11945, 14 July 1904, Page 4

The Press. THURSDAY, JULY 14, 1904. THE MENTAL HOSPITALS.

As is the case with several other passages .in the Budget, the reference to the hospitals for the mentally aiHicted in largely i a repetition of the paragraph dealing with i the same subject which appeared in last yew'e Budget. In the interval of twelve months practically nothing has been done, except to relieve the terrible overcrowding to which the attention of the country was so forcibly directed last year. There has been no classification of patients, and no attempt has been made to institute mental wards in connection with the ordinary hospitals, irliere caww of mental disease could be treated in the earliest stages. If this latter reform were effects, there is no doubt that numbers of persons, whose friends delay sending them to the mental hospitals until care is hopeless, would be taken to a mental ward at .in early stage of their trouble. It would soon be seen whether such cases were curable or not, and in the latter event they could then be removed to the mental hospital itself. If a cure -were effected, th* patient would return to ordinary life free from the stigma that unfortunately attaches to one who is

known to have teen a patient at *3_nnyeide, or at any other of the mental hospitals of the colony. Another desirable reform is tbe establishment of properlyequipped reception wards for now patients nt tlie mental hospitals, in which their ca*» could bo carefully studied. Mr HallJones told a flattering tale ilast session of all he intended to do, and a good deal more of what he hoped to do, but, as usual, his efforts do not seem to have gone beyond hopes) and good intentions, and the reform* which are needed to bring our eystem of treating the insaneup to the most modern standard have rtill to be carried out. The suggested transformation of the Waitati Inebriate Home into an additional mental hospital for the early treatment of persons who arc mentally afflicted, will not provide a proper alternative to mental wards, became tho "aaylum" stain would cling to such an institution, and would nullify the purpose for wheb it was designed. There is nothing new in the proposal to establish these mental wards. Looking through the annual Departmental reports we came upon a report written by Dr. Levingo aa far back as April, 1898, in which he urged the " establishment of some "intermediate place of early treatment be"tween the horn© and the asylum. . . . •' I think," he added, " such a place would "be best established in connection with a "general hospital, as an observation ward "or detached building." Treatment in such a place would greatly increase the prospect of recovery of persons slightly affected in their minds, and, as Dr. Lcvingc pointed out, "would prevent many "persons with temporary outburst* of ex•'citement from various causes being coin"mitted to asylums." There is no need for a Royal Commission to enquire into tho necessity for classification and other improvements in our system; all that is necessary could probably be obtained from tho reports of the Inspector-General and the various Superintendents, and if anything else is required tho Government might call theaa officials together and invite them to frame proposals. British legislation on the subject „ largely guided I, the opinions of the Medical Psychological Association, and tho New Zealand Government should avail itself of the expert advice that could be, and often has been, tendered to it by the Superintendents of our mental hospitals. Mr Seddon's urgent appeal in the Budget would suggest that his is the one voice raised in the House on behalf of the 'much-needed reforms, that (he is struggling against the indifference and apathy .of seventy-nine hard-hearted members. The Houso needs no convincing as to the necessity for reforms, but apparently some member or members of the Cabinet do, and jf Mr Seddon waa to urge in Cabinet, "with all the force in him," the measures he so emphatically advocates in the House, his efforts would be of more practical utility than has hitherto been the cage.