1903
Dr. Arthur P. Noyes, Superintendent of the Norristown (Pa.), State Hospital recently received great praise from Congressman Samuel K. McConnell Jr., President of the Board of Trustees, in a talk over station WFIL of Philadelphia.
Congressman McConnell cited the over-crowded condition of the hospital with its 4,400 patients and with 298 vacancies in the employees' staff. He spoke of some of the views of Dr. Noyes with regard to mental health, stating the necessity for the public to realize that one person in every twenty in the United States at some time in his life is a patient in a hospital for mental diseases; that one in ten suffers at one time or another, from a nervous disorder which impairs his efficiency; and that most mental disease is not hereditary, but is often caused by undesirable childhood experiences and improper parental attitudes. Quoting Dr. Noyes, "Mental health demands gratification of the strivings for security, companionship, affection, satisfaction in work and play, and attainment of individual development and creativeness in accordance with one's abilities and resources."
Congressman McConnell presented biographical data about Dr. Noyes as follows: Born on a farm in New Hampshire, attended country schools, Dartmouth College, and the University of Pennsylvania Medical School; in general practice eight years; Chief Executive of the Boston Psychopathic Hospital 1917-1920; Assistant Superintendent of St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, D. C., 1920-1929; Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Hospital 1929-1936; Superintendent of the Norristown State Hospital 1936—; author of a textbook in psychiatry; member of the governing body of the American Psychiatric Society; President-elect of the Montgomery County Medical Society.
Dick and Helen Brown of Fall River have been entertaining their daughter and grandson this summer while Major Harwood attended a school of instruction in Florida. Dick recognizes some of his own traits in the boy but hopes he won't follow "Grandpa" too closely.
Secretary, 198 Humphrey St., Marblehead, Mass. Treasurer, 85 John St., New York, N. Y.
