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VOL. XVI, NO. L
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER It, 7.7t9
ESTABLISHED IN ISSi!
Kindness the Keynote
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It is Working Wonders Toward Making Easier the
Lot and Happier the Lives of the Unfortunate In
mates at the Lincoln Hospital for the Insane
DR. J L. GREENE
Unalloyed and unremittent kindness
is the keynote of the elaborate system
of treatment by which the disordered
fancies of the inmates of the Lincoln
hospital for the insane are combated.
The completion of the new wing to the
asylum makes the institution one of the
best equipped In the west and especial
attention is paid to the careful training-
of the attendants.
Under the administration of Superin
tendent J. L. Greene many innovations
have been brought about. Chief among
them is the patient treatment of the
unfortunate by the attendants. One
cross remark addressed to a patient
by a nurse brings a reprimand; for the
second offense the penalty is dismissal.
No matter how fretful or trying an
inmate may be the attendant in charge
must be cheerful, firm and kind. Foi
bles and pet fancies of the sufferers
must be scrupulously regarded. Anger
or loss of temper by the employes
makes the patients fretful and ctoss
as well as dissatisfied. For this rea
son Dr. Greene has insisted on kind
treatment under all circumstances.
Female attendants are now required
to dress In the regulation nurse uni
form. This consists of a dress of blue
and white material. A white apron
and white collar are worn as well as
a white lace cap If preferable.
At present the attendants, both male
and female, are required to study then
Patients closely and are given a course
f Instruction by Superintendent
Greene, in addition to the advice they
receive from their superiors. Inexper
ienced help, afterwards properl
drilled, is preferred and faithfulness
and ability will lead to their retention.
It has been found that raw material
Is more susceptible to instruction and
more eager to learn the duties re
quired. At the Lincoln asylum there are six
wards for men and six for women. In
addition there is an infirmary or hos
pital for the sick or ailing of each sex
besides a separate ward for the in
curables. Rigid and unsparing are the efforts
of all employes of the asylum to main-
the parlors of the new wing large rugs
will be provided for the center of the
rooms.
In the kitchen the cleanliness Is most
striking. All the tables upon which
carving or serving is done, are zinc
covered. These are washed off with
scalding hot water after each meal.
Milk cans are subjected to a sterializ
ing process after the contents have
been removed. The large steel range
has been moved out from the wall and
an opening made so that the accumula
tion of dirt behind the stove may be
prevented. The kitchen has been pro
vided with the latest Improvements in
the way of steam cooking. From the
kitchen the food Is transported to the
serving room of the dining halls
through tunnels on small cars.
The new wing of the asylum Is built
on the south side of the main build
ing and Is one of the best equipped In
the west. In each ward there is a
large parlor where the patients spend
the day. Each inmate has a rocking
chair provided and Mowers are kept on
the tables all the time. These are
raised in the asylum greenhouse in suf
ficient quantity to supply the various
wards.
Adjoining the parlor Is the dormitory
is perfect and the sanitary equipment
faultless. The atmosphere of the par
lor and dormitory is almost as pure as
the air out of doors. In the matter of
plumbing the state has secured excel
lent service.
In the bastment of the new wing Is
the dining room where the women eat.
At the tap of the bell they fall In line
and march to the tables. They remain
standing until the second ringing of the
bell. Then supper begins.
Wholesome food, well cooked, unlim
ited in quantity, is furnished to all.
.Milk toast and beef tea Is always at
hand to tempt the appetites of the deli
cate. The attendants watch the pa
tients closely and urge them to eat.
When the meal Is finished the pa
tients arise. Hefore they leave the room
the knives and forks are counted to
make sure that none are carried away.
When this is done the patients are
inarched back to the parlors.
"How do you like to live here?"
asked the superintendent of a young
woman, recently brought from Norfolk,
who was complacently rocking back
and forth. Her eyes were expression
less and fixed on vacancy. The ques
tion was repeated.
"All right, as soon as I get acqualut-
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LINCOLN HOSPITAL. FOR THE INSANE. New Woman's Ward In the Foreground
J
tain perfect cleanliness. The bedding
i aired, the sheets and pillow slips
washed, the closets disinfected accord
ing to the most approved hygienic
rules. The bath tubs in the new build
ing are porcelain. All the floors and
corridors receive careful attention. In
where the patients sleep. The patients
are provided with iron bedsteads
equipped with springs, a hair mattress,
blankets and comforters. For such pa
tients as are inclined to be restless,
separate bedrooms are provided.
The ventilation of the new building
ed," was the reply. "And doctor doc
tor, don't forget to keep my tensIon
money for me."
The doctor smilingly assured her that
the money would be saved and kept
for her.
Another patient approached the su-
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