Twenty Second Annual Report Of The Managers And Officers Of The Craig Colony For Epileptics Sonyea Livingston County N Y

Author : Board of Board of Managers
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781500836207
Total Pages : 86 pages
Book Rating : 4.8/5 (362 download)

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Download or read book Third Annual Report of the Board of Managers of Craig Colony written by Board of Board of Managers and published by . This book was released on 1896-01-01 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: These reports are an absolute treasure of information concerning first five years of the Craig Colony for Epileptics, located in Sonyea, Livingston County, NY. The Colony was one of the first of its kind in the nation, and the very first in the state, when it opened in January 1896 with 145 patients. In the words of the first (and longtime) superintendent, Dr. William P. Spratling, "The Colony exists for three great purposes, as follows: 1st-To treat epilepsy by all the best means known to science, and to cure the epileptic, if possible. From 7 to 10 per cent. can be cured. 2d-Be a home always to those who cannot be cured, or as long as they require it. 3d-Educate in a practical, useful and simple way all who seek its benefits, that they may be able to help themselves." Much of groundbreaking scientific observation done at the Craig Colony helped to advance understanding of the disease. Doctors there developed a classification of forms of epilepsy, its earliest version listing seven major types. Classification was the first step toward treatment, and the medical staff at Craig promoted diet, occupation, and education as among the most effective. Patients were given very little meat, but plenty of fruits and vegetables-and starch, if the typical breakfast is any indication (oatmeal, bread or roll, butter, and coffee, PLUS a baked potato on Wednesdays and creamed codfish on toast on Thursdays). Farming was the main occupation and support of the Colony (800 of its 1895 acres were arable), but many patients were also engaged in household or technical work. The on-site school provided the "common school education" that was guaranteed to all who were capable, and some patients attended the Colony's manual labor school. In addition to the narrative reports of the superintendent, dentist, matron, steward, et al., each annual report is enriched with detailed statistics of all sorts-on patients, finances, agricultural products and sales, sewing room output, facilities, etc.-and a generous smattering of photographs. Together they provide a vivid account of the early years of the State's "experiment" at Craig Colony. This work, originally published in 1896, is reprinted by Milne Library at the State University of New York College at Geneseo as part of the Genesee Valley Historical Reprints series. The Genesee Valley Historical Collection is Milne Library's largest and most accessible collection of local history materials. Its geographical scope covers the eight counties surrounding the Genesee River in New York State: Allegany, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Steuben and Wyoming. For more information, see: http://go.geneseo.edu/gvhr.The Genesee Valley Historical Reprint Series is an effort of Milne Library, SUNY Geneseo.Editorial Board: Elizabeth Argentieri, Allison P. Brown, Joseph Easterly, Cyril OberlanderSummary by Elizabeth Argentieri