Chap. 48.—An ACT to establish an epileptic colony on land of the Western
State hospital, in Amherst county.

Approved February 20, 1906.

Whereas the existing State hospitals for the white insane are now taxed
to their fullest capacity, and will be insufficient in the near future for
the care of all such unfortunate persons; and

Whereas there are in the said hospitals about two hundred and fifty
patients suffering from epilepsy, so environed as to be harmful to them-
selves and their associates ; and

Whereas there is probability of improvement and cures, under special
hygienic surroundings, congenial employment, and scientific medical
treatment, such as may be available at a separate colony, which appears to
be the most economic, beneficial, and satisfactory method of caring for
epileptics ; and

Whereas it appears from the report of the commissioner of State hos-
pitals that unless additional accommodations are provided it will be neces-
sary in the near future to incarcerate in the jails a large number of in-
sane and white epileptic citizens of the Commonwealth, and that it is
more economical and humane to treat such unfortunates in hospitals than
in jails: therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the special
board of directors of the Western State hospital, under the supervision
and control of the general board of directors of the State hospitals for the
insane, be, and they are hereby, authorized and directed to erect on the
tract of land in Amherst county, opposite the city of Lynchburg, devised
to the said Western State hospital by the will of Sidney R. Murkland,
deceased, out of consideration for the kindly and humane treatment of
his son at said hospital, all suitable buildings and appurtenances for the
establishment of a colony for the reception, care, treatment, training, and
employment of three hundred epileptic patients.

2. It shall be the duty of the said special board of directors to procure
from a competent architect or architects all necessary plans and specifica-
tions for such buildings and appurtenances for the proper use and con-
duct of said colony, and when the same shall have been obtained, after
approval of the general board, to advertise for and open bids for the erec-
tion of such buildings and appurtenances, and, under the supervision of
said general board, to award a contract or contracts for the erection and
completion thereof.

3. When such buildings, or a sufficient number of them, shall have been
completed, equipped, and furnished, and ready for occupation, the super-
intendent of said Western State hospital shall, with the approval of the
said special board, designate from the corps of assistant physicians at
said Western State hospital a sufficient number of physicians, who shall
be residents at said colony. The superintendent shall visit the colony
once a month, and oftener, if necessary, and give such directions as he
may deem proper. Said general board shall have the care and control of
-aid colony as a part of the said Western State hospital, and the care,
control, and treatment of the patients committed to said colony subject
to the laws, rules, and regulations governing said Western State hospital.
Said special board shall, subject to the approval of the general board, ap-
point all the other proper resident officers of said colony. The guperin-
tendent of said Western State hospital shall appoint, and may remove,
with the approval of the special board, all other employees of such colony.

4. When the said colony shall be ready for the reception and care of
patients, and as rapidly as suitable accommodations can be provided, all
the epileptic patients from the other white hospitals shall, under the direc-
tion of the said general board, be transferred to, and received as patients
in, said colony.