Code of rules and regulations for the government of those employed in the care of the patients of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane : at Philadelphia / by Thomas S. Kirkbride.

  • Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane.
Date:
1878
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Code of rules and regulations for the government of those employed in the care of the patients of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane : at Philadelphia / by Thomas S. Kirkbride. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    tude of the afflicted, and, above all, secure the ap- probation of their own consciences. As already said, insanity is no respecter of per- sons; no one can claim an entire exemption from it; and none of us know how soon we, ourselves, or some of our dearest friends, may require the very attentions we are now giving to strangers. Let us ask ourselves, when almost worried out with our charge—when on the point of forgetting that we have to do with those who are not responsible for their actions,—what kind of treatment we would wish for ourselves or our relatives, if similarly afflicted, what steady kindness, what persevering attention, what delicate sympathy under all circum- stances—and we shall know what is due to others. Let us never forget that motto, which, above all others, is appropriate in every institution for the insane— all things whatsoever ye would that MEN SHOULD DO TO YOU, DO YE EVEN SO TO THEM. Come what may, the law of kindness must be the governing one in this institution, and all other qualifications will pass as nothing, if the disposition to carry out this law is absent. Those who do not at heart adopt this sentiment are unfit to take charge of the insane, and those who violate this principle are not wanted here; they are unfaithful to their trust, and can never do themselves credit in taking care of such patients, nor aid in promot- ing the prosperity of this institution. It will almost invariably be found that, where we cannot succeed in our object by mild measures, force will fail, and disputes, violence, and recrimi- nations are always productive of injurious effects. 2*