JUDGING THE INSANE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 22, 18 May 1914, Page 6

JUDGING THE INSANE.

IS A DOCTOR CAPABLE? At an inquest in Melbourne into the death of Thomas WJiyte (80), which occurred at the Kew lmuietie asylum on April 13, the medical superintendent of the asylum said that he could not understand why Whyte had been ordered into the asylum. Ho saw deceased soon after he reached the institution and the old man gave cpherent replies to the questions put to him. He had a sore on his back, and death was due to septic absorption. Further evidence showed that Whyte had been treated at St. Vincents Hospital, and while there he becAme violent. After he had -been strapped down for some time the resident medical officer and another doctor came Jo the conclusion that; the, asylum was the proper place for the man. The Coroner, in commenting,on the readiness to send a man to.the asylum, said,he was not satisfied that Whyte should have been sent to Kew. Many persons were sent into asylums to die and to swell the record of sufferers from insanity, whereas their mental condition was only a reflex of their physical condition. Ha did not think that medical officers of hospitals should, be called upon to certify, as .to insanity.. Because they were doctors it did not follow that they knew whpn a maJfl was or was not insane. Deep experience in mental, cases was necessary.