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Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1926, Page 2

The care of the mentally afflicted is one of the most humane demands made on the public sympathy The State is doing its part in the matter in a way creditable to the country. In recent years a marked change has conic over the system adopted in the care and control of the patients enormously to their advantage both physically ano mentally. There was a time when it was the acoepted custom to treat the unfortunates as human beings to be avoided. In those days rigorous confinement and seclusion were the paramount factors. The unfortunates with a mental weakness had little hope of recovery, for in point of fact there was very little treatment as far as mental recovery

were possible, though in regard to

bodily lion 111 ■ good provision was made. But a desirable evolution set in. This is typified by the change in name of the institutions. Once they were lunatic asylums, now they are mental hospitals, and the change in system and method of handling the patients is as revolutionary as the change in name. The result is greatly to the benefit- of the patient, for friends can now feel that the asylum is something more than a refuge, it is a place where medical .science and research ans applied in assisting the mental recovery of the unfortunates,

iiml very great .strides are being made in that respect. More, the life and .surroundings of those confined in such places of protection, are changed also, entirely for the benefit, of the patients. Better living under more natural conditions exist, and in actual fact the treatment is humane and natural, equal to the host that the service can supply. Tlie.se remarks are prompted by the comment passed last week in respect to the position created by a patient escaping from tlie local mental institution. Where folk arc confined. it is not unusual, even under most rigorous terms of confinement, to road of escapes from the bonds. Certainly as' a result of the changed system. more latitude is granted tiv patients in mental institutions, hut the experience lias justified tlie practice. The fact of one case presenting unfa vourahV? .circumstances should not condemn the whole system, for the alternative would lead to the return to the old high walls which shut out hope for so many in such a definite way. The public may take it, we feel assured, that the authorities will exercise considered judgment in the. matter, and nothing unreasonable is likely to transpire. The ease last week is a very unfortunate one, for one life was lost in the search for the missing man. The case, however, calls to mind that the authorities are not l»y any means indifferent to their responsibilities, and regarding (lie two sides to the case, the patients and the public. they may lie trusted to weigh the position filled with a due regard for all concerned.