Alienists On Schrank.

New York Times 100 years ago today, October 16, 1912:
Say That Such Crimes as His Show the Need of a Clearing House for Mental Defectives.
To the Editor of The New York Times:
    Your attention is called to the grave social condition brought about by the increase and the complete freedom with which they roam about of mentally defective individuals like Schrank, who committed the murderous assault upon ex-President Roosevelt. No provision is made by the State to identify such individuals, to safeguard the people and public men from their attacks, and to segregate them where they may be carefully guarded. Schrank's precise mental status, in the absence of any examination or clinical history of his case, we have no means of knowing. But it is apparent that he belongs in the class of mental defectives who are potentially criminals, liable at any moment to commit deeds of violence upon the slightest provocation to redress trivial or imaginary wrongs,
    According to present report, Schrank is 36 years old; he lived in this city and has known Col. Roosevelt since he was Police Commissioner here in 1895, or since the age of 19. In all probability he showed then traits of character indicative of the mental habit that impelled him to this act. It is certain that numbers of such ill-balanced individuals, mentally and morally defective, are to-day at large in this city, who in early life attended its schools and mingled with pupils of normal mentality quite unrecognized by the authorities. And why? Because there is as yet established no system whereby competent experts can see such individuals and judge whether the community should be safeguarded against them.
    But on this day the Department of Public Charities formally proposed, at the meeting of the Committee on Primary Schools of the Board of Education, the establishment of a clearing house for the examination of mentally defective persons, under the charge of a body of accredited experts in mental and nervous diseases. Under its plan each person referred to the bureau is to have a thorough examination to determine the particular nature and degree of his disability. Complete records are to be kept in each individual case, and nurses will assist in making a careful investigation into the history and environment of the subject and his family. This process, safeguarded in the interest of the patient as well as of the public, will aid in determining whether he is a potential menace to the community or to himself in the sense that he might develop wayward, immoral, or criminal traits. According to his condition or manifested tendencies, the bureau, so soon as proper facilities are provided, shall in each case advise a proper course of action. The plan for the bureau is comprehensive, embracing the co-operation of all city departments — that of Health, Police, the Children's Court, and private societies and agencies like the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, of dispensary and social workers, and other persons who may wish to refer mentally detective or grossly eccentric persons to it for examination.
    The benefits to the community from such a plan, property executed, would be many. It would co-ordinate all activities into one bureau organized to keep scientific records of the mentally defective individuals in this community, bringing about for the first time in its history their complete classification. The success of the bureau would depend upon the cordial co-operation of all the public departments and private agencies. It is sincerely hoped that the importance of this need will be felt and that, in the application of some effective and comprehensive measure, it will be met.
        CARLOS F. MACDONALD,
        WILLIAM MABON,
        MAX G. SCHLAPP.
        New York, Oct. 15, 1912.