MENTAL DISEASES

Hokitika Guardian, 3 February 1926, Page 4

MENTAL DISEASES

NEED FOR EARLY TREATMENT. AUCKLAND, Fbb. 1. In the course of his speech at the ceremony of opening a new wing at Tokanui Mental Hospital, Dr MacPhorson, medical superintendent of the institution, said the ward would he known as the Frank Hay Ward, in lnspoeiort-General, who had always memory of the late Dr Frank Hay, taken a keen interest in the institution. The new ward would relieve the congestion in the women’s ward. The

Government ivn, anxious to provide every facility for the people's health, mentally as well as physically, and he asked that the progress so far made - hoi 1 1<1 be recognised and that credit should ho given for the great advance in the sympathetic treatment of mental disease. Everything possible was d me at Tokanui for the benefit of patients. consistent with the means at the staff's command. He contrasted the modern idea of bright homely surroundings, sympathetic attendants, and exercise in the open air. with the conditions in former times when there was a feeling of restraint. The name ‘‘mental hospital"' had taken the place of the former terms. Tfc indicated the Slate’s attitude towards mental disease. Modern specialising bad created a Body of men who devoted themselves to the study and treatment of mental ailments, and facilities were being provided for their activities in connection with several chief hospitals. There were now clinics enabling any person to fibtain lexainijifitirai land advice when mental trouble was suspected, just as in the case of cancer or conmniption. Benefit loitbl be derived 'Dun consultation in the early stages. Tlu* Frank Hay Ward would act to some ex bent as a “half-way house” which many to-day were demanding. In this building, voluntary or committed patients would bo observed on their admission, and visitors would appreciate the comfortable surroundings in which the now patients could spend some days during which their conditions could L> carefully studied. The public needed to know that from fit) to .'.I) per cent:, of the patients now Being admitted to mental hospitals were, after treatment, discharged more or le- f >s *i 4 ured. However, tli-o '■linies must be in charge of men skilled in mental troubles because the average medical practitioner was apt to took too much to the physical side of the disorder.

Tu concluding. Dr Mnrßh-rson said lie wished bis voice could reach every siilferer from menial disease in New Zealand so that he could impress on them the necessity of early treat motif, which gave the best hope of early and complete recovery. There need be no stigma attached to residence as a. voluntary patient in such an institution.