Michigan Asylum for the Insane, there to be supported at the expense of the county of ...,and having taken the depositions of. ....and.. two respectable physicians, and... ...creditable witnesses, and having duly notified the prosecuting attorney of the time and place of hearing of said examination, and having fully investigated the facts, and it satisfactorily appearing that the said is insane, and has no estate in possession or held in trust for........... sufficient for the support of......self (and family), under the visitation of insanity: Therefore It is ordered, That the said.. under and according to the provisions of section 24 of "An act, etc., approved February 14th, 1859," and amendments thereto, be admitted to the Michigan Asylum for the Insane, at Kalamazoo, there to be supported at the expense of the county of... ...until restored to soundness of mind, if effected within two years, and until removed by order of the Board of Supervisors of said county of.. STATE OF MICHIGAN, ---County. Judge of Probate. I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original order made by me. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Probate Court, at.. ..this.... ...day of...... ..A. D. 187.. L. S. Judge of Probate. A subsequent section provides for those who, though admitted and treated for a time at private expense, subsequently find themselves so straightened in means as to require aid: "SEC. 27. When an insane person in indigent circumstances shall have been sent to the Asylum by his friends, who have paid his bills therein for six months, if the Superintendent shall certify that he is a fit patient, and likely to be benefited by remaining in the Institution, the supervisors of the county of his residence are authorized and required, upon an application made under oath in his behalf, to raise a sum of money sufficient to defray the expenses of his remaining there another year, and pay the same to the treasurer of the Asylum, and they shall repeat the same for the two succeeding years, upon like application and the production of a new certificate each succeeding year, of like import, from the Medical Superintendent." It should be noted that the law is most liberal and comprehensive in its provisions. The Judges of Probate and County Superintendents of the Poor are permitted to act in every case as their own judgment may suggest. If, therefore an order of admission is ever refused to an insane person whose estate is insufficient to meet the expense of treatment; or if the friends of any patient in the Asy'um, are burdened by the cost of maintenance, it must be due to a failure on the part of these officers to comply with the law. Even should a Board of Supervisors refuse or neglect to vote moneys for the payment of bills, it matters not, orders of admission may still be granted, as the State provides for enforcing payment. Although there is no direct provision for the treatment at the Institution. of individuals at personal expense, the trustees have directed, under the power vested in them by the act of organization, that: "When there are vacancies in the Asylum, pay patients may be admitted on a certificate of insanity from a respectable physician, a bond obligating the payment of expenses, duly executed by two persons of certified responsibility, and the payment of thirteen weeks' board in advance; and no private patient shall, in any case, be received without such certificate, bond, and payment." The minimum rate of board for private patients will be five dollars per week. Blanks, of which the following is a copy, will be furnished to applicants: WHEREAS, ....of the town of.......... ..in the county of.. an insane person, has been admitted as a patient into the Michigan Asylum for the Insane, at Kalamazoo; "Now, therefore, We the undersigned, in consideration thereof, bind ourselves to F. W. Curtenius, Treasurer of said Asylum, to pay him and his successors in office, the sum of ...dollars.. -cents per week, for the care and board of said insane person, so long as he shall continue in said Asylum, with such extra charges as may be occasioned by his requiring more than ordinary care and attention, and also to provide him with suitable clothing, and pay for all such necessary articles of clothing as shall be procured for him by the Steward of the Asylum, and to remove him whenever the room occupied by him shall be required by a class of patients having preference by law, and also to pay, not exceeding twenty dollars per quarter, for all damages he may do to the furniture or other property of said Asylum, and for reasonable charges in case of elopement, funeral charges in case of death; such payments for board and clothing to be made quarterly in advance. In witness whereof, We have hereunto set our names this, the..... .day of in the year 18.... I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with.. .and.. signers of the within bond, and consider either of them fully responsible for the prompt dicharge of its obligations. The medical certificate must bear even date with this bond, and, when it is deemed necessary, must be accompanied by satisfactory references as to professional standing. In conveying a patient to the Asylum, let it never be done by deception. Truth should not be compromised by proposing a visit to the institution, and on arrival, suggesting to the patient the idea of staying, when his admission had already been decided upon; nor should patients be induced to come and "stay a few days, to see how they like it," under the impression that they can leave at pleasure. Such treachery not only destroys confidence in friends, but also, too often, in us, by the seeming conspiracy to which we are naturally supposed to be a party, than which there can scarcely be a greater barrier to improvement. Removal to the Asylum should never be attempted when the patient is much prostrated, or laboring under severe bodily illness, and care should be taken that the excitement attending acute mental disease be not mistaken for physical strength. The Trustees would not presume to dictate to county officers the manner in which patients be brought to the Asylum, but would suggest that whenever admissible, some immediate friend accompany them. In the case of a female, for instance, it is much better, for reasons obvious enough, that she be placed, if circumstances allow, in the care of her husband, or some relative, rather than in custody of the sheriff or a constable. Their attention is also particularly requested to the requirements of Sec. 39, in reference to the personal cleanliness, etc., of those presented for admission. Every patient should be supplied with at least two suits of clothing, and several changes of under-garments. The outfit should be liberal when circumstances permit. As nearly all of the patients will be taken out for drives and walks, it is desirable that they be furnished with clothing of a character to enable them to do so, and also to appear at little social gatherings. When desired, articles of clothing, etc., will be furnished at the institution. All letters concerning patients, from individuals having the right to make inquiry, will be answered at once; and friends are promptly advised of any severe illness, accident, or event of moment or interest. The postoffice and telegraphic address of one correspondent in each case is recorded, to whom such communications are sent. Letters are frequently received to which replies cannot be mailed, for the reason that the postoffice address is not clearly given. A little care on the part of friends will often save them disappointment, and the Asylum unmerited censure. Information concerning inmates will not be given to casual visitors, except at the written request of friends. Application for admission should invariably be made before the patient is brought to the Asylum, in reply to which any desired information will be cheerfully furnished. All correspondence in reference to patients may be addressed to Dr. Van Deusen, Michigan Asylum, Kalamazoo. |
