CORRESPONDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1923, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

— A WORD IN SEA.SON. (To the Editor). Sir.- • It is the custom of many Hokitika residents to ignore a notice placed at the entrain e ol the Mental Hospital ground- to the (-fleet that there is "no admit tame cxi opt on business." ! ’! his. I am sure, is due to mere thought h-sslieSs. I tumid like the Hokitika public to reali-e that, this sign is erected solely | ill the interest of the patients. Unfortunately. even ill the present day, tide is a great misci-iiecniiou "t insanity, w ilh the i (-suit that 'there seems to he a certain stigma attached to tiie mentally afflicted. None realise this more than the many patients themselves, with the result, that they shun publicity. As- it is my endeavour to give as many patients as possible the freedom of the grounds, I must attempt to secure as mitcli privacy as possible for thorn. Lot ev-t-rypne whose cunenty pronipts him to ignore the notice to lay to himself, "I cannot know the hour when 1 myself may become insane. Would 1. if 1 Were a patient, j like to he viewed hy every Tom, Dick j or Harry whose curiosity eggs him on j to invade what is. to me. my sole area i of freedom!'" ! I am certain that ibis appeal to ! residents to exercise more considcra- ■ tion for their unfortunate brethren here, will he sufficient to procure for them a greater sense of privacy than heretofore. I am etc., 11. M. BUCHANAN, Medical Superintendent. Sea Y’iew Mental Hospital, April 2(>th.