LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26078, 3 April 1950, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

1. Letters sent to the Editor for printing must be written in ink on one side of the paper only, and writers must send in their names and addresses in full, whether they wish these to’ be printed or not. 2. Writers must say clearly whether or not their letters are being or have been sent to other papers. 3. The Editor -cannot return or keep any letter which for any reason is unsuitable for printing, nor can he acknowledge unsuitable letters, although this will be done where it seems to be needful, or enter into any correspondence about letters sent in. 4. Letters must not be of more than 150 words in length. v Pioneer’s Daughter—Sorry, too long. TREATMENT OF MENTAL PATIENTS Sir, —Before “Sunnyside” doctors are sent abroad for more scientific knowledge, let those inmates who should be released have the benefit of wise Christian ministers and assistants willing to visit the hospital daily, organising group and individual discussion on problems of the social and workaday world. And let the Government abolish the present laws of commitment. The custom whereby two doctors and a magistrate (who has a “chat” with him), or two doctors and a relative lock up for life a law-abiding citizen uninformed, of his fault and without trial, defence or chance of appeal is itself madness —and provocative of madness in its victims. Court trials similar to those afforded alleged criminals should be instituted, and without proof of attempted physical injury to himself or others, or proof of his incapacity to feed and clothe himself, no person should be locked up in a mental hospital.—Yours, etc., AWAKE. April 2, 1950.