Transactions of the National Association for the Study of Epilepsy and the Care and Treatment of Epileptics at the first annual meeting held in Washington, D.C., May 14th and 15th, 1901 / edited by William Pryor Letchworth.

  • National Association for the Study of Epilespy and the Care and Treatment of Epileptics.
Date:
1901
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: Transactions of the National Association for the Study of Epilepsy and the Care and Treatment of Epileptics at the first annual meeting held in Washington, D.C., May 14th and 15th, 1901 / edited by William Pryor Letchworth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    One of the first things the Board did in 1876 was to advo- cate an epileptic colony, and again in 1877 and 1878. I was appointed on the Board in 1878, and very soon became in- fected with the enthusiasm of the Board for a hospital for epileptics. Dr. Byers, one of the noblest of philanthropists, was the Secretary of the Board at that time, and he said that he would visit the institutions of the State with me. We also went East and talked with specialists who were interested in epilepsy. We went, among other places, to Quebec and came back full of enthusiasm for an epileptic colony. We presented our views to the Legislature and gave the reasons why an epileptic colony was desirable, but we produced no effect on the Legislature at that time. We persevered, how- ever. I sent abroad for books and read all that I could find on the subject. Dr. Peterson had made a report on Bielefeld, which I secured. I also obtained a report on La Force, and when the Legislature met I was full of the subject. The Legislature of 1878 had passed a resolution instructing the State Board of Charities to take a census of epileptics. We found in the infirmaries 417, in the State asylums for the insane 165, in jails 64—or 646 in all. They were an injury to the hospitals and a horror to themselves. A conference of superintendents of State hospitals presented the matter to the Legislature, and a resolution was passed asking the Legis- lature to establish a colony. We then made a report and presented an estimate of the probable cost of establishing a colony. We said that for $300 per capita we could provide care for epileptics. That sort of thing went on till 1890. Finally, perseverance won the day. In April, 1890, a bill was passed authorizing the selection of a site and the erection of buildings for an epileptic asylum. A board of trustees was appointed, and after due consideration, they selected a site in the south end of the State. I have always believed it was