Paroled patients made 5,102 of these, discharged patients 265 and others who had no connection with the hospitals at all, 1,836. In addition to this the hospital social workers made 3,496 visits to paroled patients as well as four hundred and sixty-two visits to other patients for the purpose of preventing mental diseases. Situations were obtained for one hundred and sixty-seven discharged patients. An enormous amount of work was also done in history taking, etc. Numerous clinics have been established in Massachusetts by the Department of Mental Diseases.[28] During the year ending November 30, 1919, a total of 4,333 visits were reported. Of these 3,057 were first visits. The number reported by the various hospitals was as follows:—Worcester State Hospital 1,278, Taunton State Hospital 182, Northampton State Hospital 458, Danvers State Hospital 282, Westborough State Hospital 177, Grafton State Hospital 129, Gardner Colony 65, Monson State Hospital 70, Foxborough State Hospital 27, Massachusetts School for the Feebleminded 541, Boston State Hospital (Psychopathic Department) 2,112. Clinics were maintained in the following localities:—Athol, Boston, Brockton, Danvers, Fitchburg, Foxborough, Gardner, Grafton, Gloucester, Greenfield, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lynn, Malden, Medfield, Monson, New Bedford, Newburyport, Northampton, Pittsfield, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Waverley, Westborough, Worcester and Wrentham. This is a gratifying evidence of progress. There are indications of an awakening. The hospital treatment of mental diseases will eventually be conducted on a much higher plane and along lines more nearly comparable to those of the general hospital. A study of legislation relating to mental disease shows that efforts are being made very generally to make their treatment a medical problem rather than a legal question. It has been no easy matter to obtain treatment for mental diseases, assuming a desire on the part of the individual to take advantage of such an opportunity. A review of our legal enactments shows that as a general rule it means a formal application, properly verified, an elaborate examination by two qualified physicians, an order of commitment by the judge of a court of record, a legal notice and an opportunity for a hearing if one is demanded. Pennsylvania as early as 1883 made provision for the immediate admission of such cases as required it, pending the usual court procedure. As has been shown in another chapter, arrangements have been legalized in many states for the emergency reception of mental cases, at least for those persons who are known to be dangerous to themselves or others. Temporary care enactments have been written into the law in various communities, making it possible to keep mental cases under observation for a limited period of time. In a large number of states it is now possible for a person requesting treatment voluntarily to receive it on his own application without any other legal formalities.