Letter To The Editor
Dear Editor,
If you wiD grant me space in
yov paper, I would like to
comment briefly on the recent
establishment of a Mental
Health Center in our town. The
fomdmg fathers of Mocksville
are to be commended for their
influence in bringing it here. As
physical health center is a big
asset to any conummity, so
likewise is a mental health
Doubtless its has
brought to light some of the
widespread talk one en
counters; many of the ob
servations ridkulous because of
their hush-hwh nature. Many
women consider an operation or
any physical hospital ex
perience as a choice con
versation piece, and air it
among all her friemk. But not
so a mental illness. It is strictly
secret. Often small children in
the home are told that mother is
away on a visit
That such distinction
should be made between the two
types of illness, seems archaic
to say the least, and doubtless
dates back to Bible times when
an epileptic or other mentally iD
person was rcfened tn as
"having a devil".
To cite an example that I
know most about, WiD teO you
of my recent experience at
Dorothea Dix Mental Hospital
in Raleigh. September 1968
found me back in the
schoolroom as usual teaching
first grade. I did not realize
that my strength was almost
wholly depleted. I knew it had
been a hard summer with
caring for three children,
cooking and homemaking,
going to summer school, at
tending several distant church
conferences, and inter spa aed
with all this, trying to provide
curtains, dkapes, ect., for the
new home we planned to move
into during Thanksgiving
Holidays.
But it all caught up with me
early in November, and I
collapsed in the classroom. For
three weeks our efficient
hospital staff in Mocksville
treated me for a severe case of
nerves, then allowed to go
home at Thanksgiving. Here,
within a week 1 suffered an
acute relapse. Our hospital
could do no more. They sent me
immediately to Dorothea Dix.
My first days there were a
nightmare, naturally. I was
very ill. But as days stretched
into weeks the prolonged, en
forced rest, the medicines, the
kind treatment, good food and a
good bed, began to show results.
Things were dealing per
ceptibly. Hie visits of my loved
ones and friends, and the mail
were looked forward to with
pleasure, but there was no let
up in medicines and treatments.
The big living room with its
piano nearby became available
to me and helped me spend
many pleasant hours. As the
mooths passed, I knew I was
getting well. My husband was
allowed to take me for long
rides about the city; we walked
through the beautiful hospital
grounds as be told me about
home and our children. I had
three brief visits home.
Early in April I was told I
could go home and "try it for
awhile". I continued my
medicines and my rest at home,
and by mid-summer I was
pronounced sufficiently well to
start making plans to go hack to
teaching in September. I was
overjoyed, and have taught
through the present session of
school till this time.
I cant say enough in praise of
Dorothea Dix. I wish I could get
across to everyone the blessing
we have in our mental hospitals.
Go gadfly when it is necessary -
they do wonders in making
cures. Since a change has been
made in the territory served,
ow people in Mocksville will go
to BroughUn hereafter. But
you will find the same kind
doctors and nurses. I have lived
in Morganton and done con
siderable visiting and work
among the patients and can
assure you Brougbton ranks
right along with Dorothea Dix.
Let me urge you to speak a good
word for our mental institution
when you have opportunity.
M rs. R. Jolley Duncan
Box 94
Mocksville. N. C.
Specials for
price buyers
at Ford Dealers
TWBw||P r ißi|ii
Now choose from the
biggest line of economy
cars ever offered by any
Ni» Torino 4-Ooor Hardtop
See your Ford Dealer...youll save.
REAVIS FORD, INC.
TWBm. H»,, rh» IIMW Madkttdb, N. c;
mmm
I vJk - • JRI
Hlb S « -H
SMH^K^/'-i-iJ
1
Eighteen members of the Jerusalem Fire Department
have completed a Standard First Aid course taught by
the Davie County Rescue Squad. The Rescue Squad
instructors were Larry Allen and Harry Lee Howell.
The above is a demonstration of the method used in
evacuating a fire victim, through a window, from an
upstairs floor of a burning building. The victim is Edwin
Williams, supported by instructors Allen and Howell, as
fireman Butch Owens carefully inspects the method
used.
WEAVE* .
ELECTRIC
e" •
til! 11l lit * |
ten. tPn
C* *36-2861; days or
636 W or 6337520
r
& B. WEAVES
■ ft SONS ELBCTUC
7