The Alabama Insane Hospitals (Instructions On Bringing A Patient To The Hospital) - State of Alabama ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. ALGenWeb File Manager - Lygia Dawkins Cutts ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Contributed by Lygia D. Cutts NOV 1998 Note: I found this piece of paper while browsing records at the courthouse in Brewton, Esc. Co., AL. Many times we hate to think about our ancestors being insane or metally disturbed in some way. Many family members may prefer not to have such things brought out into the open. But I feel a good genealogist doesn't leave any stones unturned. We all find "skeletons" in our closets. While thise does not list names of patients or anything of the such. I thought it was interesting to know a little something about AL Insane Hospitals. There are probate records in the courthouse and probably in most AL courthouses that show where people have been brought before a Probate Judge and ordered to be committed to one of the hospitals mentioned in the leaflet below. The Alabama Insane Hospitals _________ Instructions On Bringing A Patient To The Hospital ____________ No patient can be received without a legal certificate from the Probate Judge. Let the patient whom you bring, distictly know where he (or she) is going. A patient seldom forgets being deceived in that particular; and its affects many injuriously, when they hold it as a grievance afterwards. The Probate Judge, if he sees proper, can deputize any relative to accompnay a lady patient, if possible. In some cases, the presence and control of a stranger - an officer of the law - acts injuriously. Furnish the patient with a sufficiency of comfortable clothing. With many, to wear good clothing of their own, tends to their self-respect and satisfaction - and to receive articles of clothing, as well as other remembrances from home, is a matter of pleasure. Lists of clothing needed will be sent from time to time during the year to the family. All persons are supposed by law, to be able to pay for their board and attention at the Hospital. The Probate Judge of the County where the patient resides determines whether the are not able to pay and issues certificates accordingly. The regular charges are SIXTY DOLLARS A QUARTER (Sixty is crossed through and 75 is written above it) in adavance, which covers board and all Hospital expenses. The patients are not allowed to have articles of value, such as jewelry, money, watches, ect., on the wards, nor articles of danger, such as knives, matches, scissors, ect. They ought not bring such things with them. The answers to interrogatories on an accompanying sheet, relating to family and personal history, are very important. They ought to be made fully and honestly, giving as much information as possible. They are of great value to the physicians in making a correct opinion of the patient. The Bryce Hospital is three miles from the depots in Tuscaloosa. The street cars meet all day trains; automaobiles and hacks meet them day and night. Contrct with the driver before entering his conveyance. The Mt. Vernon Hospital is one-fourth of a mile from the depot. The trip, if possible, ought to be arranged so as to reach the Hospital DURING THE DAY. There is an extra charge for a vehicle at night, which often causes annoyance and imposition; besides, the patient generally comes more willingly and in better shape during the day and necessary routine of receiving and assigning him is more conveniently and satisfactorily done.