significance of Orange County Mental Hospital (OCMH)

OCMH is the mental health institution to which Horselover Fat is consigned after miraculously surviving a massive overdose of drugs, wrist-slashing, and sitting in a car running in a closed garage. He claims to have learned his lesson during a first interview, but is remanded for 14 days' observation because he is deemed a danger to himself. He could face an additional 90 days, if the courts so order. He is housed in the North Ward, along with Debbie, an enthusiastic Jehovah's Witness; Doug, a young hebephrenic, who becomes Fat's best friend; an unnamed women who has the only Bible inside, which she shares with the other patients; and about thirty other inmates. All are encouraged to play cards under constant observation. All patients are routinely dosed with Thorazine, sometimes too often, but intentional overdosing is denied. OCMH tries hard not to accept violent PCP (Angel Dust) addicts, but the Police Department badly wants them out of its jurisdiction. None show up during Fat's time. In the end, Fat is depressed by being presented a huge itemized bill and threatened with jail on contempt of court if he fails to pay.