The Conscientious Way

The ex-inmate of a mental hospital described his own reaction to electric shock treatment: "The zero hour arrives at last. . . . They are ushering me into a small cubicle. ... Six strong pairs of hands holding me down with an iron grip. . . . Then suddenly a flash of green lightning. . . . Numbers being read off, everything being carefully, scientifically, maddeningly checked (God in heaven, I can't swallow, I can't swallow). . . ."

Such testimonials, which are valuable guideposts to those who nurse mental patients, are printed regularly in one of the nation's most curious publications: the Attendant, a monthly published by the 2,000-odd conscientious objectors who have been acting as mental-hospital attendants during the war.

When overcrowded, short-of-help U.S. mental hospitals first appealed to Selective Service for help, they hoped for a few emergency workers to tide them over the crisis. What they got, from the "conchies," was a sustained, conscientious effort that has lifted mental-hospital standards throughout the country.

In most hospitals, the C.O.-attendants were shocked by what they were up against in the early days of the war. When neither doctors nor nurses were available, patients were often left for hours in charge of a motley crew of hired hands who knew little about the job and cared less. Specialized treatments were neglected. There was no one to tell newcomers how the difficult work should be done.

Airing Experiences. The C.O.s compared notes, concluded that their own experiences were probably the best available guide. Early in 1942 they organized the Mental Hygiene Program of Civilian Public Service. They launched the Attendant, in which the C.O.s published their own findings along with articles by doctors, nurses, ex-patients.

Doctors and nurses have written on such subjects as incurable patients, mechanical restraint, patients who are not fit to be seen. Attendants have described how to be friendly but not overly liked by patients, what to do in case of an escape, what to do about feeding, sanitation, the use of force. An ex-inmate contributed "A Patient's-Eye View of Nurses and Attendants."

Soon to be released from service, the C.O.s plan to expand their wartime program into a permanent organization. The Attendant is being replaced this month with a bigger publication, the Psychiatric Aid. With funds supplied largely by Friends, Mennonites, and Brethren, a full-time staff of eleven C.O.s will also publish handbooks for attendants and campaign for training courses in all mental hospitals.

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