The Survey, Volume 30, Number 1, April 5, 1913Various
History
The Survey, Volume 30, Number 1, April 5, 1913
Various
Charities -- Periodicals; Social problems -- Periodicals; United States -- Social conditions -- Periodicals
Within three months Mrs. B. was discharged from the insane hospital
in excellent condition, with the understanding that she should
report regularly at the clinic. Her improvement continues. She is
at present earning good wages as a housekeeper and looks forward in
the future to a little store and the re-establishment of a home for
her children.
Another illustration of this type is Mr. D., a German forty-eight
years old, who has been in the United States twenty years.
* * * * *
Mr. D. became known at the dispensary through his wife, who had
been a patient. The man went on periodic "sprees" at this time,
apparently because his work as an order clerk had occasioned
considerable nervous strain. Temporary financial assistance and a
new job outside of Boston, seemed to put the man on his feet again;
and, with a happier home life, his wife's health improved.
In a short time, however, distinct symptoms of mental disorder
began to manifest themselves. Mr. D. talked much to himself, and
was haunted by doubt in everything that he did. If he put on his
hat he was forced to step in front of the mirror several times to
be sure that the hat was really on his head. After completing a
piece of work, he returned many times to make sure that it was
really done. Occasionally he remained at home in bed, because his
fellow workmen, noting his peculiar actions, had laughed at him.
Upon this basis a fear of meeting people grew up, and he shunned
every one. Once or twice he approached his wife threateningly. The
superintendent feared to keep him at the factory any longer, and
discharged him. After a careful medical examination, the prognosis
for the patient was not very favorable. A possible outcome was an
active and incurable form of insanity. It seemed necessary, in
order to have a reasonable hope of cure, that a radical change of
life be made.
Therefore, Mr. D. was induced to go as a volunteer patient to a
hospital for the insane. There he remained six months, during which
time, with the assistance of the Associated Charities, suitable
quarters and light work were found for his wife. Mr. D. was allowed
to visit her weekly, until she became ill with an attack of
Bright's disease, which, complicated by cardiac symptoms,
occasioned her death. This loss retarded Mr. D's. recovery; but, at
the end of six months the hospital considered him sufficiently
improved to be discharged to the dispensary for continued
observation.
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