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* '''Case 1'''- Age, 49 years; American; married; mother of four children, of which the youngest is eighteen years old. The first attack of mania followed the birth of her first child, 29 years ago. The present attack is the fifth and came about two months before her admission to the hospital, May 24th 1892. ''Mental Condition''- mania of a mild type with delusions. ''Physical Condition''- General debility with anemia, small amount of albumen and mucous casts in the urine. Internal Examination showed uterus retroflexed and drawn to the left side. The attacks of insanity had always been by periods of severe pain in the region of the left ovary. Operation done July 3, 1893, by Dr. Marie Werner, assisted by Dr. Joseph Prion; there were present Dr. L. McMurty, of Louisville, KY, Drs. Kollock and McAllister, of Philadelphia; Drs. Bennett, Taher, Willits and Lothrop of the hospital staff. Both the ovaries and tubes were removed by the abdominal section. ''Condition of the Organs Removed''- left ovary contained many cyatic tumors. Right ovary with calcareous deposits; tuberculosis degeneration in left tube. ''Result''- Patient recover rapidly from the operation, and she went home completely restored in body and mind on the 6th of August [1892], a little more than four weeks after the operation.   
 
* '''Case 1'''- Age, 49 years; American; married; mother of four children, of which the youngest is eighteen years old. The first attack of mania followed the birth of her first child, 29 years ago. The present attack is the fifth and came about two months before her admission to the hospital, May 24th 1892. ''Mental Condition''- mania of a mild type with delusions. ''Physical Condition''- General debility with anemia, small amount of albumen and mucous casts in the urine. Internal Examination showed uterus retroflexed and drawn to the left side. The attacks of insanity had always been by periods of severe pain in the region of the left ovary. Operation done July 3, 1893, by Dr. Marie Werner, assisted by Dr. Joseph Prion; there were present Dr. L. McMurty, of Louisville, KY, Drs. Kollock and McAllister, of Philadelphia; Drs. Bennett, Taher, Willits and Lothrop of the hospital staff. Both the ovaries and tubes were removed by the abdominal section. ''Condition of the Organs Removed''- left ovary contained many cyatic tumors. Right ovary with calcareous deposits; tuberculosis degeneration in left tube. ''Result''- Patient recover rapidly from the operation, and she went home completely restored in body and mind on the 6th of August [1892], a little more than four weeks after the operation.   
  
* '''Case 2'''- Age, 28 years; American; white; single; apparent family predisposition to insanity. Patient had lives and irregular life, and is said to have suffered from internal trouble, dating from an abortion produce five years before. Admitted to hospital, August 24th 1888. ''Mental Condition''- Melancholia, with stupor for the first year; for the following three years, lucid intervals, alternating with periods of violent maniacal excitement, during which she becomes profane, obscene, destructive and suicidal. ''Physical Condition''- General condition poor upon admission; urine contained albumen and hyaline casts. ''Internal Examination''- showed uterus prolapsed, enlarged and fixed; profuse secretion; masses felt in regions of both ovaries; sensitive to pressure. Much localized pain suffered at times. No permanent improvement followed local treatment. Operation done on time with Case 1. Ovaries and tubes removed on both sides by abdominal section. ''Condition of organs removed''- Hydrosalphix of both sides. Adhesions of extraordinary firmness, roofing in the pelvis and binding tubes and ovaries and adjacent tissues in one mass, of which the parts were almost indistinguishable. ''Result''- Recovered rapidly and went home well physically and mentally, on the 17th of September 1892. Note- the patient was subsequently examined by Dr. Morton, who wrote to congratulate me upon the result.  
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* '''Case 2'''- Age, 28 years; American; white; single; apparent family predisposition to insanity. Patient had lives and irregular life, and is said to have suffered from internal trouble, dating from an abortion produce five years before. Admitted to hospital, August 24th 1888. ''Mental Condition''- Melancholia, with stupor for the first year; for the following three years, lucid intervals, alternating with periods of violent maniacal excitement, during which she becomes profane, obscene, destructive and suicidal. ''Physical Condition''- General condition poor upon admission; urine contained albumen and hyaline casts. ''Internal Examination''- showed uterus prolapsed, enlarged and fixed; profuse secretion; masses felt in regions of both ovaries; sensitive to pressure. Much localized pain suffered at times. No permanent improvement followed local treatment. Operation done on time with Case 1. Ovaries and tubes removed on both sides by abdominal section. ''Condition of organs removed''- Hydrosalphix of both sides. Adhesions of extraordinary firmness, roofing in the pelvis and binding tubes and ovaries and adjacent tisssues in one mass, of which the parts were almost indistinguishable. ''Result''- Recovered rapidly and went home well physically and mentally, on the 17th of September 1892. Note- the patient was subsequently examined by Dr. Morton, who wrote to congratulate me upon the result.  
 
   
 
   
 
Late backlash would shed these experiments in a different light. James J. Levick stated, “Insanity is a disease of the brain, not of some organ remote from it; and when manifestation of insanity seem to be especially associated with functional disturbances of some one organ, this disturbance is secondary to the brain disorder, not the cause of it.” Those who opposed this procedure greatly rejoiced that, “the hospitals and the profession are saved from a scandalous proceeding.” However, practices such as these were also common place in neighboring [[Trenton State Hospital]] under the infamous Dr. Cotton, where teeth were removed to cure the psychotic features of a patient. It was further questioned whether Gynecology should be practiced in Asylums at all, and if an insane person should be treated gynecologically just as any other person would be treated, and that an examination, diagnosis and treatment ought to be instituted independent of her mental condition.
 
Late backlash would shed these experiments in a different light. James J. Levick stated, “Insanity is a disease of the brain, not of some organ remote from it; and when manifestation of insanity seem to be especially associated with functional disturbances of some one organ, this disturbance is secondary to the brain disorder, not the cause of it.” Those who opposed this procedure greatly rejoiced that, “the hospitals and the profession are saved from a scandalous proceeding.” However, practices such as these were also common place in neighboring [[Trenton State Hospital]] under the infamous Dr. Cotton, where teeth were removed to cure the psychotic features of a patient. It was further questioned whether Gynecology should be practiced in Asylums at all, and if an insane person should be treated gynecologically just as any other person would be treated, and that an examination, diagnosis and treatment ought to be instituted independent of her mental condition.
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Like many state hospitals, Norristown has had alleged cases of patient abuse since it's opening. IN 1882, Mary Ritchie, an eighty years old resident of the hospital, had her arm fractured because she refused to take a bath. She was seized by two of the attendants, and in the struggle her arm was broken. Mary Green, one of the attendants, was then discharged by the asylum committee. Just the same, another patient, Jacob Miller, also had an arm broken by the attendants, and three of the men employed in the male department were discharged. These unfortunates had suffered most at the hands of the attendants.<ref>Miscellany, ''The Medical Times and Register, Volume 18''. The Medical Publishing Company, 708.</ref>
 
Like many state hospitals, Norristown has had alleged cases of patient abuse since it's opening. IN 1882, Mary Ritchie, an eighty years old resident of the hospital, had her arm fractured because she refused to take a bath. She was seized by two of the attendants, and in the struggle her arm was broken. Mary Green, one of the attendants, was then discharged by the asylum committee. Just the same, another patient, Jacob Miller, also had an arm broken by the attendants, and three of the men employed in the male department were discharged. These unfortunates had suffered most at the hands of the attendants.<ref>Miscellany, ''The Medical Times and Register, Volume 18''. The Medical Publishing Company, 708.</ref>
  
On August 4, 1883, William A. J. Fiss died in the hands of James Gaffey, an asylum attendant, after he struck Fiss in the head. Fiss became incoherent and died from blood poisoning at 12:45&nbsp;am. that morning. <ref>http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=990DE2D6123BE033A2575BC0A96E9C94629FD7CF</ref>
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On August 4, 1883, William A. J. Fiss died in the hands of James Gaffey, an asylum attendant, after he struck Fiss in the head. Fiss became incoherent and died from blood poisoning at 12:45&nbsp;am. that morning. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=990DE2D6123BE033A2575BC0A96E9C94629FD7CF |title=The Insane Asylum Murder. - Gaffey, The Attendant, Accused Of The Crime By The Coroner'S Jury. - View Article |work=New York Times |accessdate=October 19, 2011 |date=August 8, 1883}}</ref>
  
With the introduction of Electroshock therapy (ECT) in the 1940's there was significant talk of its clinical overuse. The superintendent of the time, Dr. Nolan D. Lewis, discounted these criticisms and maintained that ECT was being employed regularly, but with 'Conservative discretion'. He made the argument that its use was limited to patients who were unresponsive to continuous baths, and that other methods of sedation were preferable, and employed before ECT could be suggested.
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With the introduction of Electro-shokc therapy (ECT) in the 1940's there was significant talk of its clinical overuse. The superintendent of the time, Dr. Nolan D. Lewis, discounted these criticisms and maintained that ECT was being employed regularly, but with 'Conservative discretion'. He made the arguement that its use was limited to patients who were unresponsive to continuious baths, and that other methods of sedation were preferable, and employed before ECT could be suggested.
  
Hospital staff were themselves not safe from abuse at the hands of hospital administrators of the mid-20th century. It is noted that during the 1948 fiscal year, six hundred staff members were hired for direct care of patients on various units. However, within the year three hundred and fifty resigned their posts, and nearly two hundred were fired. By many superintendent's admission, the task of working with the mentally ill was taxing, and presented: low pay, extended hours of the work week, little recreation and substandard housing for employees. However, often times the welfare of the attendants was also dubious, as the commonwealth placed a number of their employees in hazardous situations due to financial constraints.<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=_7PEgVCPDh8C&pg=PA536&dq=norristown+state+hospital&hl=en&sa=X&ei=av3dUOSbNOqP0QG58oGYCg&ved=0CGgQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=norristown%20state%20hospital&f=false</ref>
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Hospital staff were themselves not safe from abuse at the hands of hospital admistrators of the mid-20th century. It is noted that during the 1948 fiscal year, six hundred staff members were hired for direct care of patients on various units. However, within the year three hundred and fifty resigned their posts, and nearly two hundred were fired. By many superintendant's admission, the task of working with the mentally ill was taxing, and presented: low pay, extended hours of the work week, little recreation and aubstandard housing for employees <ref>2</ref>. However, often times the welfare of the attendants was also dubious, as the commonwealth placed a number of their employees in hazardous situations due to financial constraints.
<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=MHkBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA490&dq=norristown+asylum&lr=&as_brr=3&ei=90C5SqT2EJWqMuXm0L0P&client=firefox-a </ref><ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=_29NAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA221&dq=norristown+asylum&lr=&as_brr=3&ei=90C5SqT2EJWqMuXm0L0P&client=firefox-a</ref>
 
  
 
== Hospital Staff Directory: 1880-Present ==
 
== Hospital Staff Directory: 1880-Present ==
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*Ruth J. Abram. (1986) Pennsylvania State Hospital for the Insane, ''Send us a lady physician: women doctors in America''. W. W. Norton & Company, 172–178.
 
*Ruth J. Abram. (1986) Pennsylvania State Hospital for the Insane, ''Send us a lady physician: women doctors in America''. W. W. Norton & Company, 172–178.
 
*William F. Waugh, A,M., M.D. (1888) Miscellany, ''The Medical Times and Register, Volume 18''. The Medical Publishing Company, 628, 669–670, 695–699, 708.
 
*William F. Waugh, A,M., M.D. (1888) Miscellany, ''The Medical Times and Register, Volume 18''. The Medical Publishing Company, 628, 669–670, 695–699, 708.
<references/>
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http://books.google.com/books?id=_7PEgVCPDh8C&pg=PA536&dq=norristown+state+hospital&hl=en&sa=X&ei=av3dUOSbNOqP0QG58oGYCg&ved=0CGgQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=norristown%20state%20hospital&f=false
 
 
  
  

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