UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN LAWRENCE, KANSAS
MATHEMATICIQUE
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1950
PAGE TWO
Mental Patients Jam Wards But US Isn't Crazy Yet
Washington, Jan. 12—(U.P.)—More than one million Americans were treated in hospitals in 1949 for what the U.S. public health service calls "America's No. 1 public health problem"—mental illness.
Half of all hospital beds were occupied by psychiatric patients. The number of patients would have been higher, but mental wards and institutions already were crammed to the walls. Some patients slept two to a bed or on the floor. Every institution had a waiting list. The overflow in many states was handled in jails.
One out of every 10 persons in the country will need psychiatric help at some time in his life. One out of 20 will spend some part of his life in a mental institution. Today the national mental health bill is 200 million dollars. By 1956 it will be $250 million dollars.
Official statistics show mental disease is increasing. But psychiatrists government and private, say the figures do not mean the United States is "going crazy."
There is no proof, according to the authorities, that war or tensions of modern life have materially boosted the insanity rate. The biggest single factor in the higher figures seem to be the better diagnosis and facilities of modern medicine. Cases that once would have been ignored now are identified as mental illnesses and treated.
Urbanization has had its effect, Mentally disturbed persons who would not harm themselves or others in rural areas must be confined in cities. The population is growing older—and mental illness are more willing to accept treatment for themselves and relatives.
Accurate facts and figures on mental disease are still more difficult to get than in almost any other field. Even the federal government does not have complete, up-to-date information.
The most recent survey, just completed by the U. S. public health service, shows that at the end of 1947 there were 675,000 patients in 934 mental hospitals, public and private. Another 465,000 patients received treatment sometime during the year and were dismissed from the hospitals.
The number of patients who remained uncured was 2 per cent more than a year before. Public health authorities believe a comparable increase has taken place since that time.
The statistics do not show the huge gap between what was done and what the experts say should have been done. But there were some clues.
The American Psychiatric association recommends that hospitals spend a minimum of $5 a day for the treatment of patients with $2.50 for chronic (custodial) cases.
According to the survey, Kansas and 11 other states were spending less than $1 a day on each mental patient. The states were as follows: Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming
Another 19 spent less than $1.50 a day. A U.S. public health official described New York's mental institutions as "the best—or least bad" in the nation. Even that state averaged a little less than $2 a day for each patient.
By contrast, the veterans administration averaged $5.85 for each patient in its neuropsychiatric wards. Private mental hospitals, which handle less than 4 per cent of all patients, spend $6.85.
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New Jet Bomber Is In Production
Washington, Jan. 12—(U.P.)-T he air force has put in production a new version of its B-47 jet bomber that flies at more than 600 miles an hour at about twice the range of early models, it was revealed here.
A fair estimate is that the new plane can fly more than 4,000 miles, making it the fastest, longest-legged jet bomber anywhere.
It would have within its bomb-sights many prized targets that once were out of reach of jet-powered craft. In the view of many experts in and out of the air force, shooting down enemy aircraft at the speed of sound would be a for-bidding assignment for today's defensive weapons.
Unlike the B-36 superbomber, that achieves relative safety from fighter attack by mounting heavy armament and climbing to extreme altitudes, the B-47 relies chiefly on its speed. With a three-man crew, it has only tail guns for defense. It can fly higher than 40,000 feet.
The B-47 series, with the distinctive swept-back wing, was introduced publicly the past year when an experimental model from LABVision was tested in 3 hours minutes. It averaged 607.8 miles an hour over the 2,293-mile course.
Fifteen production versions—10 A and 5 B models—are on order. The air force soon will announce orders for about 80 more of the "B" models
As fast as operational jet fighter and heavier than the B-50 Superfort, the six-engine B-47 will go into Lt. Gen. Curtis E. Lemay's strategic air command. The big Boeing planes promise sensational advances in the art of strategic bombing, atomic or otherwise.
The strategic air command will have two B-47 groups under present plans. The first planes should be available late this year or early next.
Because of heavy fuel consumption, range is a major problem with all jet planes. The B-47 that flew across the county had little fuel left. The air force rated that model's combat radius only as more than 800 miles. (Radius is figured roughly as 40 per cent of range).
Kansan Calendar of Coming Events
Monday, Jan. 16
Kansas City Philharmonic orchestra, 8:20 p.m., Hoch auditorium.
Enrollment begins for the spring semester.
Official Bulletin
Final examinations begin.
Monday, Jan 20.
Fur exhibit through Jan. 31, Museum of Natural History.
Current Exhibits
January 12. 1950
All students planning to change enrollment from one University school to another should make application before Thursday, Jan. 19, at registrar's office. Those in the College who will enter the Schools of Journalism, Business, and Education also must apply for transfer.
Nominations for junior cabinet of Y.W.C.A. meet 4 p.m. today, Henley house.
No more A.S.C. meetings until after finals.
Law Wives, 8 tonight, law lounge Mrs. Armstrong will speak on new bridge system.
Parking permits expire Wednesday, Feb. 1. Students may apply now at 200 old Fowler shops for second semester renewals. Faculty and staff will automatically receive renewals by mail after Monday, Jan. 16. New applications for permits now accepted.
Seniors graduating in February who have not paid diploma fee of $7.50 must do so by Saturday at business office.
A.S.C.E. election, 7:30 tonight, 417
Snow. Color movie; refreshments.
K. U. Disciple fellowship discussion group, 5 p.m. today, student room Myers hall.
Christian Science organization regular meeting, 7:30 tonight, Danforth chapel. Business meeting following.
Mathematics club, 4 p.m. today.
203强 hall right. Ralph Simmons,
"Planimeters." Everyone interested
is invited. Refreshments.
Quack club, 7:30 tonight, Robinson gym
Chemistry club, 4 p.m. today, 305 Bailey. F. J. Moreau, Dean of School of Law will discuss "Patent Law in Chemistry." All invited; refreshments.
Der Deutsche Verein versammelt sich Donnerstag um 5:00 in 402 Fraser. Betty Hayward wird deutsche Lieder singen. Danach Kruzfilme über 'Tirol' und 'Wien'.
Inter-Varsity Christian fellowship, 7:30-8:30 tonight, 131 Strong hall. Rev. Lynn Hodges, speaker.
Phi Chi Theta, 7:30 tonight, East room, Memorial Union. Speaker; members urged to attend.
Mortar Board will not meet tonight or next Thursday, Jan. 19.
Mennonite fellowship, 3 p.m. Sunday, parish hall, Congregationa church.
A. W.S. senate, 4:30 today, Theta house.
Mathematical colloquium, 5 pm Monday, Jan. 16, 203 Strong hall Prof. Daniel S. Ling, assistant professor of physics "Quantum Mechanics and Linear Vector Spaces."
Executive meeting of Wards F, T and Z, 6:45 p.m.Monday Jan. 16. 110 Fraser hall. All officers of these wards attend to discuss plans for next semester.
Hillsdale, Mich.—(U,P)—U n d e r sheriff Estel Pifer said goodbye to his wife, locked the basement door, and went to work at the county jail. When he arrived home for dinner that night, he found his wife still locked in the basement.
Locks Wife In Cellar
Savin' MONEY? Save some in our place! We've got
Large Cube Steak—85c Pork Chops—75c Hamburger Steak—60c
Bar-B-Q Beef and Pork Sandwiches—25c
MILLER'S BAR-B-Q
4 mi. Northeast U.S. 40 & 24
Closed on Sundays
125 Blackbirds Frozen To Ground When Snowstorm Hits Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Okla., — (U,P)—A teller of tall tales would be thrown out of a Liar's club contest if he dared marrate the story of Oklahoma City's frozen blackbirds.
But he would be telling the truth.
The incredible story began Jan. 3 when 125 red-winged blackbirds alighted on the south bank of Oklahoma City's Lake Overholser.
The birds, intent on eating the grass and weed seeds along the lake shore, weren't watching the weather.
A blue northern, one of the sudden chilling blasts that sometimes sweep the Southwest in wintertime, was blowing into the city.
It made the lake rough, splashing freezing spray over the birds. Ice quickly coated their wings, pinning them to the ground.
By Jan. 5 the birds were trapped hopelessly and more ice was piling over them constantly.
Finally, three Oklahoma City game rangers were called upon to rescue the birds.
The rangers studied the problem and decided that if the way to catch
a bird was to sprinkle salt on its tail, maybe it would be freed from the ice the same way. They poured salt liberally over each blackbird but to no avail.
By this time, some of the birds were frozen in so solidly that only their beaks and eyes protruded from each little mound of ice.
Obviously, drastic measures were necessary. The rangers got down on their hands and knees and went to work with ice picks and small shovels.
About 50 others were found frozen to death. Only the bones were found of some others. They had been eaten by stray cats.
Moving from bird to bird, the rangers chipped and chopped them free. Eighty minutes later, about 25 or 30 shivering blackbirds had flapped their wings and taken off for points south.
Kansas is larger than England and Wales with a population of 41,460,000 compared to the population of Kansas of nearly 2 million.
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