A Psychiatric Milestone Part 6

SYNOPSIS

While the Symbolic Father Time bears witness, the Muse of History, as the Narrator, after alluding to the remote past, briefly summarizes the incidents leading up to the establishment of the Society of the New York Hospital by Royal Charter in 1771. The succeeding scenes are self-revealing. The familiar picture of Pinel at Salpetriere depicts conditions in that period. Several portraits of personalities intimately a.s.sociated with the early history of Bloomingdale Hospital follow.

These, together with an episode from the life of Dorothy Dix, stimulate our imagination with reference to the revival of interest in the care of the mentally ill in the first half of the last century. The closing scenes suggest the great advance which has taken place during the century, and the part that work and play take to-day in re-establishing and maintaining life's balances. Finally, in symbolic processional, tribute is paid to Hygeia, the G.o.ddess of Health and Happiness.

CHARACTERS AND SCENES IN TABLEAU-PAGEANT

Music: Orchestra Overture

_Prologue_

The Muse of History (Narrator): Adelyn Wesley Spirit of the Past (Time): Dr. D. Austin Sniffen

Music: Orchestra "Amaryllis"

SCENE I

COURT OF KING GEORGE III.--GRANTING OF THE CHARTER

Characters: King George III Queen Charlotte Prince of Wales Court Chamberlain Court Ladies Emissaries Cherokee Chief Gavot

Minuet

Through dramatic license, this scene takes place in the Court of King George III. Colonial emissaries, accompanied by a North American Indian, attend, and are graciously granted by the King a Royal Charter establishing the Society of the New York Hospital, along with a seal, insignia, and a money gift. A bit of color and romance attaches to the Cherokee's appearance in the scene.

Music: Orchestra "G.o.d Save the King"

"Minuet Don Juan"

"Largo"

"Amaryllis"

SCENE II

PINEL a LA SALPETRIeRE [Transcriber's note: original reads 'SALPTERIeRE']

Characters: Pinel Patients Aides and Attendants

A courtyard scene in Salpetriere in 1792. Hopelessness and chained despair are pictured. Pinel enters, is saddened and indignant at the sight of so much unnecessary suffering, and instantly orders the chains to be struck off. The historic episode closes in a graphic tableau depicting the grat.i.tude of the released.

Music: Orchestra "Kammenoi Ostrow"

SCENE III

PORTRAITS--PERSONALITIES OF THE PAST

Thomas Eddy, of the Board of Governors, 1815-1827.

Dr. James Macdonald, First Resident Physician, 1825-1837.

Dr. Pliny Earle,[Transcriber's note: original reads 'Early'] Organizer, 1844-1849.

Miss Eliza Macdonald, daughter of Dr. Macdonald, unveils the portrait of her father.

Music: Orchestra "Long, Long Ago"

SCENE IV

DOROTHY LYNDE DIX BEFORE A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

Characters: [This instance of 'Characters:' added by transcriber]

Dorothy L. Dix Members of the Committee Chairman

Miss Dix appears before a Committee of the Legislature and is heard in an impa.s.sioned appeal on behalf of adequate provision and care for the mentally ill. The scene closes with the Committee indicating their approval and congratulating Miss Dix on her successful effort.

Music: Orchestra "Maryland, My Maryland"

"Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean"

SCENE V

OCCUPATIONAL-RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Men's Crafts Women's Crafts Men's Sports Women's Sports

Maypole Dance

Supplementing the general medical work, the therapeutic value of organized occupational and recreational activities is gaining increasing recognition. Those arts and crafts lending themselves to graphic presentation are here selected: dyeing, weaving, spinning, basketry, caning, modelling, painting, pottery, metal work, net making, gardening, etc.: and similarly, in the recreative activities, tennis, golf, hockey, baseball, croquet, bowling, skiing, and skating. A Maypole dance closes the scene.

Music: Orchestra "Boccherina"

"Henry VIII, Maypole Dance"

SCENE VI

INSPIRATIONS

Characters: Hygeia La Belle France Britannia Columbia

The closing scene is in the nature of a processional symbolizing international unity of purpose and a determination to pursue, until finally attained, the goal of Health and Happiness, personified by the G.o.ddess Hygeia.

Music: Orchestra "Ma.r.s.eillaise"

"G.o.d Save the King"

"Battle Hymn of the Republic"

"The Star Spangled Banner"