IVtENTAL hygiene: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT. 87 



FROM THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MENTAL 

 DEFECTIVES. 



Conclusions. 



1. The solving of the problem of the mental defective is \ital to the 

 state in the development of its social life. 



2. One per cent, at least, of the general population, is mentally de- 

 fective, i. e. either epileptic, insane or feeble-minded. 



3. Nine thousand, four hundred and eight-four (9,484) mental de- 

 fectives, or thirty-five one-hundredths of one per cent., of the total popula- 

 tion, are now on public support. 



4. a. There are 1,300 epileptics in the state needing institutional care 

 as epileptics, 1,000 in the community at large or in institutions not suited 

 to their care, and 305 in the Indiana Village for Epileptics. 



b. The problem of the care of the insane in Indiana has been care- 

 fully worked out in the past fifty years, until now eighty-five per cent, of 

 the insane in the state are cared for in state institutions. 



c. The actual problem of the care of the feeble-minded is greater, 

 inasmuch as it appears that the state at present is caring for but 1,350 or 

 twenty per cent, of the estimated numl>er who need care. 



5. Mental defectiveness is a large factor in the cause of crime, de- 

 linquency, pauperism, inefficienc^y and many other social ills. 



6. Further study of the cause and prevention of mental defectiveness 

 is imperative. 



Recommendations. 

 » The Epileptic. 



1. Additional provision for the care of women at the Village for Epileptics. 



2. The enlargement of the Village for Epileptics to 1,200 capacity, and 

 provision for larger medical facilities at that Village. 



The Insane. 



1. Indiana should at once provide additional institutional accommoda- 

 tions for one thousand patients now in need of hospital care. 



Provision should, therefore, be made for the care of these one thousand 

 patients, now in need of but not receiving institutional care. First, by provid- 

 ing psychopathic departments at each of the existing hospitals, for intensive 

 hospital treatment for the acute insane; second, by the erection of additional 

 buildings at each of the existing hospitals as the plans of the several hospitals 

 permit such expansion, and third, by the purchase of land for farm colonies and 

 the erection of inexpensive buildings thereon in connection with these in- 

 stitutions where such colonies can be satisfactorily maintained. 



