The Sun.
London, England, 1841-10-18 00:00:00

MORNING SUN

TREATMENT OF THE INSANE.
In cases where it appears desirable to call into ac-
tivity the faculties of the mind, occupations and
amusement have been found valuable means in fixing
the attention, and in restoring a healthy state of action.
When a patient in this condition cannot be induced to
undertake some useful employment, it is' often possible
to divert and keep alive the attention by kindness. The
means employed for this purpose are various sports and
games ; and those which call into play both attention of
mind and activity of body appear most useful--such as
the games of tennis-le-grace, battledore, &c.: chess,
backgammon, bagatelle, cards, &c., are provided, and to
many are sources of much plearare and amusement.
The exhibition of a magic-lanthorn in the winter
months was very successful in affording much general
enjoyment, Although these means of keeping up atten-
tion are more necessary and more useful in particular
cases, yet in all there is reason to believe they have a
beneficial influence. Music and dancing, so far
from causing over excitement or restlessness, seem
to be followed by increased quiet and more natural
repose. Most festival days are made occasions for a
general assemblage of the inmates in their respec-
tive departments, who dance with much spirit to the
music of one of the patients, who, dressed in gala c,s-
tume, plays the violin with great perseverance, and is
evidently a chief participator in the enjoyments. These
things, though in themselves trifles, yet are at all times
important agents in the treatment of ins,mity, and they
become of still more importance and value in an institu-
tion where the patients are undergoing a change from a
system of coercion to one of comparative freedom.
Much of the excitement liable to arise in patients who
have been subjected to restraint, there is reason to con-
clude, has been averted by these means.
A liberal supply of books has been provided for the
use of the patients ; the library consists of 296 vo-
lumes. They are read with apparent pleasure and in-
terest, and a few of the patients have been encouraged
to read aloud to the rest ; this evidently promotes a
good feeling,—is an agreeable mode of occupying time
and conduces to, the restoration of the faculties.

One daily and several weekly newspapers are regu-
larly supplied, as well as Chambers's Journal, and the
Penny and Saturday Magazines. Tne object of this
institution being the restoration of the mental faculties,
it would seem superflnus to att-mpt more than this ;
nevertheless, in a few caws, endeavours have been made
to communicate instruction in reading and writing, and
happily not. without some degree of success.
No cases cause more anxiety to the medical officers
of a lunatic asylum than those in which there is a dis-
position to commit suicide. A large proportion of pa-
tients admitted have evinced this propensity ; and, al-
though the attempts to effect their purpose have been
both numerous and ingenious, yet we are happy to re-
port that in no instance have they been successful, not-
withstanding such patients are not subject to any species
of mechanical restraint.—Report of Lancaster Luna-
tic Asylum, 1841.