GenMassachusetts-L Archives

From: "Jane Slattery" <>
Subject: Addiction Center Hospital - MCI Bridgewater
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 13:46:05 -0400

Massachusetts has a specific commitment for alcoholics. It was used much more frequently up to 20 years ago than it is today. If the person chronically was in court for "Drunk and Disorderly", the judge could commit the person for up to 45 days to a "state hospital" for treatment. I've never seen it used for driving under the influence. It seemed to be more for those people that the local police picked up on the street and who were acting out in some way.
There is a person in my family tree that spent much of 1900-1940 in and out of Northampton State Hospital for the same thing. The local court seemed to have a 4-5 appearance tolerance before sending him off once again to NSH.
As to the TB, if he had little/no healthcare, the diagnosis may not have been made until 10 days before he died although he could have had the condition for years.

This thread:

• Addiction Center Hospital - MCI Bridgewater by "Jane Slattery" <>