34 



Indiana University Studies 



tion of the buildings for feDiales at the Indiana Village for Epi- 

 leptics. She is very large for her age^ being about five feet tall 

 and weighing over one hundred pounds, is cross-eyed and repul- 

 sive looking. If opposed in any way, she has violent fits of temper 

 during which she may kick, scratch, bite, or throw anything she 

 can reach, constantly screaming one profane oath after another. 

 She has seizures almost every morning just before rising. She is 

 most ravenous in her appetite, and at one time was seen to eat all 

 of the beans in a big dish which had been prepared for the entire 

 family. 



A very small proportion of this group are cared for in insti- 

 tutions. Only 2 males are now in the Indiana Village for Epi- 

 leptics, altho 3 more applications have been filed. Of the males, 

 1 is in the Marion County Asylum for Insane, 1 is in the School 

 for Feeble-minded Youth, and 1 is in an orphans' home. Of the 

 females, 2 are in the Marion County Asylum for Insane and 1 

 application for the Indiana Village for Epileptics is filed. Of 

 those who were formerly inmates of institutions, 4 were in the 

 Indiana Village for Epileptics, 1 was in the Ohio Hospital for 

 Epileptics, 1 was in the Marion County Asylum for Insane, and 2 

 in Central Hospital for Insane. It would seem that not enough 

 attention has been paid to securing institutional care for these 

 people. Commitment is by court procedure which is tedious and 

 slow, and often working hardship because of this fact, yet it seems 

 a comparatively easy matter for relatives to secure the discharge 

 of these patients and remove them from the institution. If they 

 were permanently improved or cured, it would be all right, but 

 many are recommitted in a short time. It is said ''of our epi- 

 leptics now needing care 23 per cent are in the State Village for 

 Epileptics at Newcastle".^' It is hoped that when the new build- 

 ings are completed, this percentage may be greatly increased. 



All who have at heart the welfare of their neighbors must, in order 

 that those of their fellovz-beings of subnormal mentality be properly cared 

 for, do w^hat they can toward arousing in their particular community a 

 proper sentiment for the providing of a means for suitable supervision 

 for this unfortunate class.* 



Table IX of heredity contains information voluntarily given 

 by the patients. Diseases often associated with epilepsy are 

 included as well as those frequently assigned as its cause. "Kela- 

 tives" include only grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. 



" Second Report of Committee on Mental Defectives in Indiana, March 6, 1919, 

 p. 57. 



"Twenty-second Annual Report of Craig Colony for Epileptics, Sonyea, N.T., 



1916, p. m 



