The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-19 00:00:00

NO MORE PILLS NOR ANY OMER MEDICINE,

Indigestion (Dyspeps(a), Constipation, Flatulency, Phlegm, Ner-
vousness, "Bilibusness, Liver Complaints, Hysteria, Neuralgia,
Sleeplessness, 'Acidity, Palpitation. Heartburn, Eruptions, Irn-
lirities, Irritability, Low Spiritii, Diarrhoea, Hemorrhoids,
Headache, Debility, DespondeneY, Cramps, Spasms, Nausea, and
Sickness (during pregnancy or at sea), Sinking Fits, Cough,
Asthma, Bronchitis, Consumption, also Children's Complaints
"effectually removed by
U BARRY'S delicious Health-Restoring
REVALENTA ARABICA. FOOD, which saves fifty times
its cost in other remedies in illness, and is, moreover, the best food
tor infants and invalids generally, as it is the only food which
never turns acid on the weakest stomach, nor interferes with a
good liberal diet, bat imparts a healthy relish for lunch and dinner
and restores the faculty of digestion, and nervous and muscular
energy to the most enfeebled.
We extract a few out of the many thousand expressions of grati-
tude from invalids:—Care No. '7l, of dyspepsia, from the Right Hon.
the Lord Stuart de Deeies—" I have derived enesidezable benefit
from Du Barry's Reialenta Arabica Food, and consider it due to
Yourselves and the public to authorise the publication of these
flues. Stuart de Decies."—Cure No. 49,332. " Fifty years' inde-
scribable agony from dyspepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, con-
stipation, flatulency, spasms, sickness at the stomach, and vomit-
ing, have been removed by Du Barry's excellent Food. Maria Jolly,
'Wcrtham Ling, near Diss, Norfolk." Cure No. 47,121. Miss Eliz:-
both Jacobs, of nixing Vicarage, Waltham Cross, Huts, a cure of
extreme nervousness, indigestion, gatherings, low spirits, and ner-
vous fancies.—Cure No. 48,314. Miss Elizabeth Yeoman, Gateaere,
near Liverpool: a cure of ten years' dyspepsia, and all the horrors
of nervous irritaMlity. Cure No. 18,216. Dr. Andrew Ure, of con-
stipation, dyspepsia, nervous irritability. Cure No. 31,210. Dr.
Sherland, of dropsy and debility. Cure No. 36,212. Captain Allan,
of epileptic fits. Cure No. 42,116. Major Edie, of enlargement of
the liver and total prostration of strength. Cure No. 36,418. Rev.
Dr, Minster, of cramps, spasms, and daily vomitings, Cure No.
'26,118. Dr. Harvey, of diarrbsea and debility. Cure No. 39,623. Dr
"Musser, of consumption. Cure N 0.32,530. Wro.lltint.Esg. barrister
of paralysis. Cure No. 46,270. Mr. James Roberts, wood mexnbvnt
Fernley, of thirty years' diseased lungs,
,s,4it4srr of blend
liver derangement, partial deafness. Cure N0:58,61C. Mrs. Holm
aged 107 years, of dyspepsia (indigestion) debility, irritability, and
nervousness, .which had tormeuted her for 70 years. Cure No
46,814, Mr. Samuel Lesion, Leicester, Of two years' d
Cure No. 52,612. The Dowager Countess of Castle,stuart. ofinrrhoos. many
Years' nervous irritability, bile, 8.114 indigestion. Cure No. 51,812.
Miss Virginia Zeguers, cured of ConstMletion, after medical advisers
had abandoned all hopes of recovery. Cure No. 160. Twenty-five
years' nervousness, constipation, indigestion, and debility, from
which I have suffered great misery, and which uo medicine could
remove or relieve, have becu effectually cured by Du Barry's Food
ia a very short time. W. B. Reeves, 131, Fleet-street, London." NO.
4,203, " Eight years' dyspepsia, nervousness, deblliiy, with cramps,
Plsazn.3, and rairea, for which my servant had consulted theadv iee
of mat s, fre ete ally enred tes-D a Barry's heslth-restoi log
Food. I shall 1)3" happy to answer ituy
W. Flavell, Riddlington Rectory, Norfolk." No. "'three
years' excessive nervousness, with pains.. 11 my neck and
left arm, and general debilay, which remit red . my life
very miserable, Lae been rtelieslly removed by Du Barry's
health restoring Food. Alex. Stuart, Areluleacou of Ross,
V.kibbereen." Cure No. 3,908. " Thirteen years' cough, indigestion ,
and general ,lebility have been removed by Da Earn's excellent
Revaleuta Ambles. Food. &mass Porter, Athol-street, Perth."
Important Caution egalast the fearful dangers of spurious knits-

UOll3 :
The Vice-chancellor Sir William Page Wood granted an injunc-
tion on the 10th March, 1054, against Alfred Hooper .Nerille, for
imitating "flu Barry's Itevalenta Arabica, rood."
Suitably packed ff.n.7 all climates. and ,5-11,11,a1l inatruetions. In
enniqers, 11b 2s 1/d ; 21b 4s 6d ; 121 b 225._ Sin, rh.r rctiaed 0814,
lib 6,?; lis; 225; 101 b 335. • The 101 b nn ~lutfllt~;y, 'Aare
forwarded carri.ige free, on receipt of ling.-of:nee order..
and Co., 77, Itegent-street, London; Fortnum, Mason, and Co., pur-
veyors to ber- MajestY: 109: P4'oldilin dames Well, 413. Sloane-
street ; also at 60, Gracechureh-street ; 330, 430, and -01; Strand;
94, Cheapside ; and 60, Ullopegate-street ; 63, 150, all 4 19e, ox-
forCl-street,

ON PHYSICAL DISQUALIFICATIONS, GENERATIVE, INCA-
PACITY, AND IMPEDIMENT:3 TO MARRIAGE.
Now end improved Edition, enlarged to 190 pages, illustrated by
100 Anatomical Coloured Engravings on Steel, put published,
price, free by post, la,
THE SILENT FRIEND : A Medical Work
on the physical exhaustion and decay of the frame, from the
effects of solitary indulgence, infection, and the injurious conse-
quences from the use of Mercury: with observations on the obli-
gations of marriage, and directions for obviating certain disquali-
fications. By R. and L. PERRY and CO., Surgeons. Consultations
as usual (see page 197.) Sold by J. Allen, 20, Warwick-lane, Pater-
noster-row; Sanger, 160, Oxford-street; and Gordon, 146, Leaden-
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The CORDIAL BALM of SYRIACUII is employed in both sexes
to renovate the impaired powers of life. Its action is purely bal-
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The CONCENTRATED DETERSIVE ESSENCE, an anti-syphili-
tic remedy, for purifying the system, and is recommended for any of
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Sold by Daniel Church, 78, Graceehurch-street, City ; Bartley-
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W. Edwards, 67, St. Paul's-churchyard • C0.,1. Sanger, 150, Oxford-
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THE SECRET INFIRMITIES OF YOUTH AND MATURITY.
Just published, price ls., post free, in an Envelope, for 13 stamps,
SELF-PRESERVATION : A Medical Treatise
on the Functions and Disorders of the Generative System
videa,nohuosohat, habitsthacqui re
practical
oduringbse
rtvhaetieorin
sticoant
frompthaessPagheysi olYouthPhysiology
m
to
ar-
rine in its social, moral, and physical relations. To which are
added, remarks on the wonders of the Microscope in revealiug the
hidden mysteries of " Life within Life," and its advanta. es in de-
tecting, by urinary examination, the cause and effect of every
variety of these complaints, with numerous engravings and cases.
BY SAMUEL LA.'MERT, M.D.,
37, BEDFORD SQUARE, LONDON,
Matriculated Member of the University of Edinburgh, Honorary
Member of the London Hospital Medical Society, Licentiate of
Apothecaries' Hall, London, &c., &c.
The essential object of this treatise is to point out the fearful con-
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which have produced more misery in Youth, degradation in Man-
liced, and premature decay at all stages of life, than, perhaps, any
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particularly recommended to persons entertaining secret doubts of
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It Is absolutely necessary that all men should know that there
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without incurring grievous penalties, and when wisdom and regret
succeed the heyday of inconsiderate self-indulgence, how those pe-
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Published by J. Allen, 20, Warwick-lane, Paternoster-row, and
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[ADVERTISEMENT.]—SIGIIT AND REA.RING.—S RPEC-
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AND PERSPECTIVE GLASSES.—S. and 13. Solowons, opti-
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the York Hotel, W. By her Majesty's Royal Letters Patent
for valuable and extraordinary improvements in the most
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Opera, and Perspective Glasses, to know the distances.
These Telescopes possess such extraordinary power that
some, three eq., a half inches, with an extrmye-piece,
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flee P.oyal Exhibition, 1851.—A valuable, newly-invented,
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answer every purpose on the Race-
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—lnvaluable preserving Spectacle enses of the greatest
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frern i,,n is, that visio
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-
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tof their speet c!, in aIL d stating the distance
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atar, small, newly-invented instrument
Deafness.—NewlThcovery.—Tlie Organic Vibrator, an ex-
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aniftli.eg of the kind tiextjtas been, or probably can be pro-
drrtx di of ih,sauje,eitleur as the skin,. is not percep-
'hies deaf yereems to liter distinctly at church
and at public ass e s; the unpleasant sensation of singing
noises in the- ears is eairely rewoied, anditaffords all the
assistance that possibly could be daired.--39.—Albernarie.
street, PiceAdilly—Oppoite the Yeik 1106 W.

(BY A PHYSICIAN.)
More than one recent event having directed public atten-
tion to the state of lunatic asylums and the laws which
regulate the care and treatment of the insane, arousing a
more than usual interest in these questions, and Mr. 'rite
having signified his intention of making them the special
object of a Parliamentary inquiry in the next session, a few
observations upon them at the present time may not be in-
opportene, as the public at large are but very imperfectly
acquainted with these matters.
Lunatic asylums in this country may be classified under

four heads:--
1. The Public Asylums for the pauper patients of coun-
ties and boroughs, maintained out of the county and
borough rates, and governed by committees of visitors
selected from the magistracy of their respective districts.—
These are for the most part well conducted,admirable institu-
tions,and,with few exceptions,if not all that might be deired,
are all that could be expected with due regard to the public
purse. Some of the older ones are, however, defective in
their construction to• an extent materially obstructive to
their usefulness. In some an unwise parsimony is practised,
both as regards the numbers and t he salaries of their officials;
in others extravagant outlay has been incurred by super-
fluous ornament and architectural embellishment, pleasing,
no doubt, in itself, and not without a beneficial influence
upon the inmates, but yet offering advantages in no way
commensurate with the cost, absorbing funds which might
be much more usefully employed. In a few the medical
officers are crippled in the discharge of their duties by being
associated with non-professional superintendents; in some
there are no assistant medical officers where they are im-
peratively required; and in many the energies of their
officials are overtaxed, or improperly cramped and interfered
with by the committee, and nearly all are deficient in land.
Instead of from 30 to 100 acres of land, there should be
from 200 to 300 acres, or even root, wecording to the size cf
the institution, some regard being bind to the prevailing
occupations of the population from which the inmates are
derived, though farm and garden labour are most beneficial
to the health both of the body and mind, even of those pre-
viously unaccustomed to it. Moreover a good farm is sure
to pay, and its profits materially diminish the cost of main •
tenance' while the benefit from but a few acres of ground is
scarcely felt. It would be beater, to take a farm at some
little distance, if sufficient land could not be procured imme-
diately adjoining the building, than that the asylum should
forego the advantages accruing from rt. Some of these
establishments are much too lake for efficient management,
and more of them are required. V_Atere will not be sufficient
until accommodation is provided in Such asylums for every
pauper lunatic in the kingdom, and Nip law ought to pro-
hibit the farming out of pauper lunatics to any private par-
ties for profit; they should not be placed in any licensed
house, as a private asylum is termed. The treatment of lu-
nacy is, under any circumstances, expensive, and it is unfair
to the public that more should be expended upon the
pauper lunatic than his case requires, while on the other
hand justice to the patient demands that all-that is requisite
should be done for him. A system, thfefore, which leaves
a margin for the profit of a third party must either prey
upon the pockets of the ratepayers or defraud the pauper
patient of his rights. The main object of this paper being
to comment upon the condition of licensed houses and pri-
vate patients, I must not linger here, however inviting, but
pass on to the other classes of asylums. But, whatever the
character of the institution may be, it should ever be remem-
bered that lunatic asylums are not mere plaCes of detention
of safe custody, but hospitals for the cure and alleviation of
mental disease, and that however important an object it may
be to prevent patients from doing iujury to themselves pr
others, either as regards persons or property, the first con=
sideration is or ought to be the cure or amelioration of the
malady, or at least a diminution of the suffering and au im-
provement in the condition of the patient, and these im-
portant ends, it is well known, can be best attained within
an establishment specially adapted for the purpose, and
under the care of persons who have made this class f dis-
eases their peculiar study; and still more should it not be
forgotten that the earlier iusanity is brought under treatment
the more successful is that treatment likely to prove. Let,

then, the public cease to consider lunaticlsylums as places
of incarceration, btv. view them in the light of hospi-
tals for the treatru;". Etf a special class of diseases. As
we have hospitals o consuniptio--t and diseases of the
chest; hospitals ler ca;acer ; hospitals for club-foot; hos-
pitals for the diseases of women and children, and
lying-in hospitals ; so are, or ought, lunatic asylums
to be hospitals for diseases of the brain. Many pauper lu-
natics are still detained in Union workhouses, places totally
unfit fur them. The provision for pauper lunatics will not
be complete until every one of them can be accommodated
in a proper public asylum.
2. The Lunatic Hospitals.-=-These are public institutions
fur patients not paupers, ranging from the bumble artisan
to persons of wealth, rank, and station. Some are purely
charitable institutions, supported solely by endowments,
donations, and subscriptions; others are partly supported
by these means, and partly by payments for the patients,
either from their own estates, or by their friends; while a
few of them are almost entirely self-supporting, the scanty
subscriptions and endowments making but a small propor-
tion of tkeir whole income, the bulk of it arising from the
Payments made on behalf f the patients ; the profits derived
from the more wealthy ones malting up for do dofioioneoa
of the more needy; some receive only recent and appa-
rently curable cases, and discharge them after 12 months'
treatment should they not recover within that time. These
es:ablislunents are under the management of boards of go-
vernors, composed of persons acting as trustees for certain
funds; various officials, such as mayors aldermen, magis-
trates, clergy holding particular benefices, Ste., with do-
nors and subscribers to a fixed amount. They are, gene-
.

rally speaking, well conducted institutions, and it Cetild be
wished that there were many more of them. There are some
of them, however, which would admit of great improve-
ment, and others are labouring under the great disadvantage
of buildines ill-adapted to their purposes, and placed upon
most undesirable sites in the purlieus of crowded cities and
in the midst of a close and numerous population. A lunatic
asylum ought to be situated in an uucontatninated atrno-
sphere—to have an abundant supply of pure water, to com-
mand a cheerful prospect, and to have a sufficiency of land
attached to afield gardening and agricultural employment
to a considerable number of its inmates, and pleasing well-
cared-for grounds for outdoor exercise and recreation, re-
moved from the busy hum of the great city and free from ire
gaze of a curious public. lam pleaseg to find by their last
report that the Commissioners in Lunacy are advocating an
extension of lunatic hospitals; it is, indeed, desirable that
the suffering tradesman, the poor governess, the gentlewo-
man or gentleman in straitened circumstances, the members
of learned professions, and many others who by the loss of
their intellect have been deprived of their only means of
maintenance, could receive that treatment they require, as
well as protection and solace in their affliction, which can
now only be procured at a cost beyond their means, or by
crushing but dens upon their families and friends, or by sink-
ing to the po•ition of a pauper dependent upon the public
rates. Were public opinion ripe for such a change, these kind
of establishment, :night, with advantage to the Intel ests of the
lunatic and humanity, supersede the present private asylums
or 'incensed houses, modified, of coure, to meet the require-
ments of their inmates,,and, as ad vanciug science and expe-
rience dictate, they could soon be made self-supporting,
though to start and build them would doubtless require
some extran,ous aid, in shape, perhaps, of loans guaranteed
on the seen sty of the public purse, the repayment of which
might be spread over such a period that out of the annual
income a Sinking fund could be established available for the
purpose. The number of these buildings required could be
readily calculated, and to decide upon their respective po-
sitions would be no great difficulty tilt those acquainted with
the statistics of insanity. One great objection urged against
the abolition of private asylums is, that it would be an un-
warrantable interference with the liberty of the subject that
the ft lends of lunaics should not be slowed to select the
persons uuder whose care their afflicted relatives should be
pieced, and the situation of their residence. This might be
in a measure obviated by allowing them to schoose which of
these establishments they would send them to, and the per-
mis4cia of free access to the patient of such authorised
medical practitioners as his friends might desire. Tne ac-
commodation could be adapted and the payments adjusted
so as to meet the more modest requirements of the humble,
or the luxuries, elegancies, and refinements of the wealthy.
Of course, the labourer is worthy of his hire, and profes-
sional skill, care, and attention ought to be adequately paid
for, as also work and labour done • but I do maintain that
justice does, and law should, forbid it should be the pe-
cuniary interest of any one to deprive a fellow-creature of
his liberty, or make a cotnmerclal speculation of the direst
calamity that can befall mankind.
3. The General Lunatic Hospitals, or Asylum?.—These
are of a mixed character, and combine the features of the
two preceding institutions, being both county asylums for
paupers and lunatic hospitals fur private patients. There
are not many of them now, and they are gradually merging
into one or other of the before-mentioned forms by separat-
ing the lunatic hospital for private patients from the county
lunatic asylum; and it is to be hoped that shortly these
mixed establishments will have ceased to exist, for it is not
desirable to associate under the same rosf the pauper and
the private patient, even though they may not meet or see
each other. It Is galling to the feelings and destructive of
cr
nt
,hrivemesele,relsfr-sar,seystripoue
rsc
ett
n takedo
et
r thetpso trtueur
impossiblec, while
of
for
eot
rht
eht eh timeef mo r mtoofe rp,tahfyre otrnmh
ea tdt
it
ace
tai
i
tention to the private patients which they hate a right to
require from theta, and which is expected at their hands;
without neglecting their other duties. May not this state
of things in a measure account for the occurrences at the
Northamptom General Lunatic Hospital, animadverted on
by. the Commissionees in Lunacy in their recent report?
Criminal lunatics are at present placed in all classes of
asylittins, but as they are shortly to be provided for sepa-
rarelyin a State establishment, I do not feel it necessary to
referfurther to them than to exprees satisfaction at this step
having been at last taken. Better late than never.
4. The Private Luoatic Asylums, or Licensed Houses.—
It is in these establishments that the majority, of the insane
of the middle and upper classes of society arc placed for care
and treatment. They are, strictly Speaking, commercial
speculations, uniting in character the lodging-house with
professional skill and attention, as in a pinto hospital or
sanitarium, the proprietors being licensed to conduct them
in the metropolitan district by the Commissioners in Lunacy
and in the provinces by the magistrates in quarter sessions.
The higher orders of theie institutions are admirably con-
ducted, and many cf the proprietors evince a liberality and
zeal in their management which are highly creditable to them
and most satisfactory in the results as regards the recovery,
itn
eineat'asait comfort of their patients: Others cannot
be favourably spoken of= and seme.are deserving of severe
ps re v,'
reprobation; but it must be obvious to all, if these private
establishments for the insane are to be permitted, it requires
person applying for a licence of this kind is fitted
no little discrimination and laborious investigation to ascer-
tain if a
be ittttus el rsi!ti so g:cat'a rtspor slbility as rte pet; et
over the liberty and persons of these committed to his care,
more especially when their requirements may clash with his
own interests and feelings, pecuniary or otherwise. Now,
it may be unhesitatingly asserted that many of the abuses of
private asylums arise from the proprietors being persons un-
fitted to be trusted with such power and responsibility. It
is easier to say what he ought not to be than to ascertain
that he is what he should be. He ought not to be a needy
person, and before he receives a licence it should be ascer-
tained question tbat he has an ample capital, that
even if the speculation fails in a commercial point-of view,
the helpless beings consigned to his charge should not suffer
thereby. Ile should not only, in the first place, prove to the
constituted authorities that he possesses sufficient means to
eater upon the undert tieing, but lie should be compelled to
lay before them from time to' titnerproofs that be continues
in a state of ability to carry it on in an efficient manner, or
perhaps it would by well to tequiie from him security for

due fulfilment of his duties. He ought to be a person
of high character, of scrupulous probity, and unimpeachable
morality, of the strictest sobriety, of equable temper, not
given to act upon impulse, and free from angry passions,
of quick perception, not too confiding, not too easy, active,
xot given to indolence, well educated, and of business
habits, nor should he be engaged in any other commercial
enterprises or occupations to detract his attention or absorb
his capital. lam not altogether prepared to maintain with
some that it is absolutely necessary he should be a medical
practitioner, but when-he is not be should be compelled to
employ a medical superintendent, who should be, to a certain
extent, independent of him, and whose position and powers
should be clearly laid down and defined. His remuneration
sbould be fixed, nor should there be any power of dismissing
him without the concurrence of the Commissioners in
Lunacy or the Visiting Justices. The lunatic requires con-
stant medical supervision night and day ; whether he forms
the unit of e large or small community, it never can be pre-
viously known at what hour or moment ire-may respire the
most anxious care and skilful attention ; therefore it should
be made imperative that any person receiving a licence for
a lunatic asylum, if note medical man, or, if so, not residing
on the premises, should employ a duly qualified medical
practitioner to reside therein lad superintend the establish-
ment. The present system of visiting medical attendants
gibing a formal round twice a-week is utterly useless, and
pught to be abolished. If the pauper patient in the public
asylum is required to be seen by his medical officer twice a-
day, ought we to be satisfied that the private patient in .a
small asylum should be professionally visited but once or
twice a-week, merely because he is one of a few in nutnbeo ?
All private asediams ought, therefore, if not licensed
to a resident medical proprietor, to have a resident
medical superintendent. A correspondent in the
Times of July 30, 1858, stetes it as his
,opinion that
the medical officer of a private asiltertke ehenid—have
previously practised in a public one. I have seen the
practice of bn.h, and cannot nee that the one is a desirable
preparation for the other. We might as well expect the
maser of a union workhouse to make the best manager of a
first-class hotel. The roughness of one is totally different
from the elegance and comfort of the other. Nor is the
practitioner in the large public asylum ntrtaa.experienced or
better acquainted with mental diseases. '-Experience is
gained by close, intimate, and accurate observation—not by
the passing glance of moving through the crowd. How
much attention can lie given to each ca?"e by the superin-
tendent who has to see 300, 400, or 500, up4p even a higher
figure of patients within the day, to say ffettifteg of the
ether multifarious duties which require his attention? To
get through these duties he is obliged to fall into a system of
Mere routine.. Not so with the medical officee of the private
asylum, who has from 50 to 100 daily to attend to--a number
sufficient to supply specimens of every class of insane per-
sons, without detracting attention froineach individually by
numbers. Moreover, the patients, being persons of much
more cultivated minds before the affliction falls upon them,
they exhibit far more objects of interest and observation.
There is as much difference as there is between the
neglected garden which has been previously richly culti-
vated and the barren mountain or heath which has
never been subjected to the skill of the husbandman.
The medical superintendent of the peivate lunatic asylum is
the intimate friend and companion of his patients, joining
them-in their meals, their recreations, amusements, and em-
ployments, entering into familiar conversation with them,
and so constantly with them that he becomes acquainted
with their inmost thought,: and feelings, witnesses their al-
most every action, and makes himself se thoroughly master
Of their characters and dispositions that, if a man of tact and
superior talent, he soonacquires great moral influence over
them. - There is as much knowledge, skill, tact, and pains-
tbleibg attention required for the management of from 50 to
1:00 patients of the better class as for 500 paupers. The
larger number, however, of our private asylums are too
small to afford stifficieut experience to their.medical officere,
or to allow of that association of the patients which is preyed
to be so beneficial to them, or to admit of the full advan-
tages of combination in the procuring such additional com-
forts and luxuries which may not be within range of the
few, but are easily procured when the expenses are divided
among a number, as is well known to all acquainted with
the club system and the power of union.
Though I believe the proprietor's own character and in-
terests are the best guarantees for the discharge of his
duties, unfortunately all are not equally conscientious or
sufficiently enlightened to see that in the long run they will
best serve their own interests by doing justice to 'their
patients ; therefore frequent inspection by the constituted
authorities is necessary. This duty is at present performed
in the metropolitan district by the Commissioners in Lunacy,
who visit each asylum at least four times a-year, and in the
provinces a committee of -magistrates is appointed,. with a
medical man to afferd them the assistance of his professional
knowledge, and a lawyer to act as their clerk and legal
ad r, who inspects each establishmeht four times a-year ;
and—t Tie, Commissioners in Lunacy visit these provincial
houses'tivice a-year, but their powers in the provinces are
not so ample as in.their own district. There are few officials
who are more conscientious, active, and zealous, or to whom
greater credit is due for the manner in which they perform
their arduous duties, titan the Commissioners in Lunacy ;
indeed. the insane and the friends of the insane are deeply
indebted to them for the vast improvements they have
effected, and this is more especially visible in the con-
dition of asylums under their own exclusive jaris-
diction as eerapered with those under the " double
government's in the provinces. But periodical inspection
to be efficient, should be both frequent anti unexpected;
that if the magistracy above referred to rarely is
unexpected; either from their individual acquaintance and
friendship with the proprietors whose neighbours they
almost invariably are, or from the correspondence which
takes place before each visit, or from, horses being hi.ed to
convey the doctor and (lode, of which intimation is given
to the parties interested; by some means or other these visi-
tations are almost always made known to the proprietor or
superintendent; nor are the provincial movements of the
commissioners kept so sceret as in the metropolitan dis-
trict; apartments are somttitues be poke at an hotel in the
neighbouring town where the proprietor of the asylum is 1
not unknown, or horses are engaged to meet certain gentle-
men at the railway station, who are c eating down by such
and such a train, and wish to proceed on immediately to
--, which intention and desire is probably conveyed to
-- some hours before themselves, in plenty time to pass
round an order among the attendants, servants, and others,
" to bustle about and have everything in readiness for in-
spection ;" but, irrespective of foreknowledge, these visits
are too seldom. But we have no right to expect impossibili-
ties, or that Commissioners in Lunacy should possess greater
powers of übiquity and greater physical endurance than other
men. These establishments ought to be officially visited at
least once a-month, and it would be better were the inspec-
tions still more frequent, at uncertain times, and at all hours.
To effect this it would be necessary to have district in-
spectors, who should be duly qualified medical men, and
such as have lived in asylums should be preferred if other-
wise eligible for the appointments; they should be nomi-
nated by, respensible to, and under the authority of the
Commissioners in Lunacy. There are other duties besides
mere inspection that might be beneficially, assigned to them,
such as ascertaining any particular facts and making any
special inquiries which the commissioners might deem
desirable, alio, as lin additional security is thought requisite to
prevent persons being consigned t® asylums without due
necessity, it might be enacted that every patient should be
seen by one of these officials—if t before admission to an
ass hem, within a few—say, seven—days afterwards—aud the
continuance of a patient in an asylum should not be legal
unless the inspector countersigned the certificates and stater
meats upon which such patient was received cr directed to
be received. At present it is necessary that there should be
an order for the reception of a patient, and a statement of
certain particulars, signed by some relative or friend, aunt
two certificates signed by two medical men unconnected
with each other, arid without previous consultation or meet,-
log, stating that the patient is a proper person to be placed
under care and treatment ; setting forth, at the same time.,
the facts open which that opinion is grounded, distinguish-
ing these observed by the certifiers themseives from ti:'
communicated to them by others, and no certificate is valid
without the specification ef sonic fact or facts indicative of
insanity observed by those who sign the certificates. In ad-
dition to these astatementsetting forth the mental and bodily
condition of the patient after tiot less than two clear drys
from the date of admission must be filled up and signed by
the medical officer of the asylum This delay is to give time
for observation of the case; but where there is no resident
medical officer this opportunity does not occur, and the
statement is usually filled up after one very cursery observa-
tion. Notice must also be given by the proprietor or super-
intendent to the Commissioners in Lunacy and the clerk to
the visiting justices, of the admission of a patient within
seven days, accompanied by copies of the above-mentioned
documents. Now, it is a fact known to every proprietor
anti superintendent of a lunatic asylum that where a medi-
cal certificate for the admission of a patient is correctly filled
up is the exception rather than the rule, and that in the
majority of instances amendments or additions arc required;
aeon further, that the profession generally betray greet
want of practical acquaintance with, if not a positive igno-
rance of, the subject of insanity, that the certifiers are apt
to be much influenced by what they hear rather than by
what they observe, and that these investigations are usually
too short and lax. I would recotemend, then, that to make
these documents valid it should be requisite that they be
countersigned by the district inspector, and that they
should not be so countersigned until he had bad a per-
sonal interview with the patient and satisfiid himself as tu:'
the unsoundness of mind and all -original informalities it*
the docutnents had been rectified, and that in all doubtfdr
cases he should he empowered to make full investigation
and.sunenion to his aid such evideoce as he might require.
It has been desired by some • that no patient shelled ha
consigned to a lunatic asylum without having been pre-
viously taken before magistrates in 'tidy sessions, a county
court judge, cr some other public method of investigating
such patient's state of mind- Any proceedings of this
nature would be ois.ressingly painful to the feelings
of friends of a patient, if not of himself. The publicity in-
curred would cause many to atria from the exposure, the
consequence of which would be that dangerous lunatics
would be suffered to be at large, and cut able cases become
chronic and hopeless for the want of proper treatment. • Nor
would any such method he so really well calculated to deter-
mine the sanity or insanity of the parties as the one I have
suggested. Sane persons are, however, according to my ex-
perience, rarely taken to asylums; there is couch more fear
of patients being detained too long after recovery—an evil
which would be much checked by mom frequent inspection.
The district inspector would in the course of some little
titne become well acquainted almost with each Inmate
of the asylums under his charge, aed would net be
°briefed to trust so much to the reports of others or
to the faithfulness of the records in the case books, as those
whose visits are few and far between. In addition to these
means of supervision, it would be desirable that every
building before it is licensed for the reception of lunatics,
end again preeiore to the reoootol f• he lieenee, should be
reeteugaly txemined by a competerit sun eyor, who elt_u:tl
see that it has been completed in all its requirements and
kept in substantial repair. At present these buildings are
made to look well to the eye—male, in short, fur show—
while they are very deficient in substance and completeness
of what is requisite for braPhand comfort. The inspection
should not be merely sure,ficial, but "below the surface' "and
should minutely extend into workmanship and material. The
places selected for private asylums are often old mansions, or
large houses In the country, with extensive out-offices, sup
as stables, hay lofts, cowhinses, cartsheds, &c. ' • these are one-
varied into apartments fee the inferier close of wire, and
frequently in a very flimsy way, and with rotegin ateriel,
though made to look well.h Plans of the whole are prettily
drawn up, and everythiugeisahought to be right; line a sur-
veyor looking tniatitely ipto toktere would find much to
amend. I could rebate 'setae ettroms facts would it not tic:
cupy too much space t° do so ; but, if the inmates of lunatic
asylum require thie sulnivisioa, I fear the condition of

what are called "single patients," calls much more loudly
for legislative interference. Any person can take charge of a
single patient without a licence, and though legally to piut
any restraint upon them or' their actions the same cert!h-
eates and orders are required as in the case of the admission
of a patient into a private asylum, and the same notice must
be sent to the authorities, yet these requirements of the law
are constantly evaded, and even if complied with they are
not under such, supervision as will protect them from ill-
usage. Numerous persons daily advertise for these single
patient, calling themselves experienced in the treatment
of insanity, whose experience is too often but that of the
difficulty of meeting the demands of quarter-day, while
others are grossly ignorant and totally unfit for such charge;
not a few are discharged or superannuated attendants of
asylums, brought up and prejudiced in favour of the worst
forms of mechanical restraint and all the horrors of the old
system of treating the insane; and a practice prevails of
farming out one patient to this private lodging and another
to that to avoid the necessity of a licence and the inconve-
nience of proper inspection. Such tampering with the
liberty of the subject ought to be prohibi.ed, or, at all
events, a licence should be required for one patient, as well
as for a number, if for no other purpose than making in-
quiry into the character and fitness of the persons seeking to
take charge ofsingle patients as well as the accommodation
they may have to offer them ; at present numbers are hu-
mored in obscure and cheerless lodgings, where they
undergo all kinds of privations and sufferings, if not
absolute cruelty, and debarred, perhaps, from all society
but that of some coarse-minded menial. But it is not only
;tom those who take the charge of them that the insane re-
quire protection; their property is, es the law at present
stands, but very indifferently cared for, and is but too fre-
quently taken possession of by relatives fur their own bene-
fit or hoarded up for heirs-at-law, and but a miserable frac-
tion expeusio44 4 comforts and necessities. Clnthing
I.4lait+
is also often much 'neglected 1)-y-their-friends. None-but
those engaged in the care and treatment of private lunatic
patients can have any conception of the difficulties experi-
enced in protarft4 from relatives and friends proper sup-
plies and descriptions of clutakg. 1%, i • 3
powerful provocative of self-respect—one very great desider-
atum in the moral treatment of the insane.

Unwilling to occupy too much of your valuable space
upon the deeply interesting, subject of this wide-spread and
extending calamity, I will briefly sum up what I con-
sider the most desirable change in the present laws.
1. All licences for private asylums should be granted
by the Commissioners in Lunacy, and not by the magi-
strates in quarter sessions. The whole kingdom should
be as much under their authority as the metropolitan diss
trict now is. I would not, however, altogether abolish
visitation by magistrates, as they are often known to
patients and their friends, and there is a feeling of friendly
security engendered thereby. Their offices should more
especially be to detect and point out abuses, short-com-
ings and neglects, and to suggest improvements.
2. Persons who have been interested in any private asylum
within two years are excluded from being appointed Com-
inissionere IdLunacy. This prohibits tee appointment of
some-of our ablest men. I could name tnaey ; let, however,
the mention of Conolly, Winslow, Monroe, and Sutherland
suffice. It would be quite sufficient for all practical pur-
poses to enact that from the time of accepting such an office
all beneficial interest in any such institutions sbou d cease;
rather than exclude them it would be more desirable that
one at least of the commissioners should be a person who
has heen.engaged in the management of a private asyium,
at least as lorg as private asylums are permitted by law. No
oneis so able to judge as one who has been behind the scenes,
and to put it on the lowest ground, as the old saying has it,
"An old poacher makes the best gamekeeper;" they also,
from experience and intimate knowledge of private patients,
are best acquaihted with their feelings, wants, and require-
ments.
3. No one should be allowed to receive even one lunatic
patient without a licence, and on application by any one for
a licence the strictest investigation should be wade as to the
character, moral fitness, and ability of the person so apply-
ing, whether lie is fit morally, personally, and pecuniarily to
undertake such responsibility. The, building, too, in the
case of an asylum, stupid be required to be oroughly ex-
amined throughout in all its departments by a competent
surveyor, aid these examinations should be repeated before
each renewal of the licence, the surveyor making a report
of every such examination to the Commissioners in Lunacy.
4. Every lunatic patient, whether single or in an asylum,
should be required to be medically visited once a day, and
all asylums for 20 patients or upwards should have either a
resident medical proprietor or superintendent.
5. No pauper lunatic should after a fixed date be retained
in any licensed houle; union workhouse, or gaol. This
would, of course, require adequate accommodation for all
pauper patients in the public asylums.
6. A number of district inspectors should be appointed to
assist the Commissioners in Lunacy in the inspection of
lunatic asylums, especially licensed houses, who shall be ap-
pointed by, responsible, and under the authority of the com-
missioners. Their duties should be to inspect every private
asylum or licensed house, and see every patient confined
therein not less than once a month; to visit all single patients
within their districts, and see to their accommodation, treat-
ment, and state of mind; to visit all private patients placed
under care and treatment within seven days of their so
beng placed; and to examine all orders, statements, and
medical certificates respecting theta; to see that all infor-
malities in them are corrected, and to countersign them
when fully satisfied in their own minds that such persons
arc properly placed under restraint; and they should
have power to make such inquiries and summon such evi-
dence as they may consider necessary for their purposes;
bat unless so countersigned, no vder, stwernent, or certifi-
cate should be valid ; they should also make such inquiries
Red transact such other business as the commissioners might
from time to time require of them.
7. Notices of all deaths in asylums, whether public or pri-
vate, as also of all single patients, should be sent to the coroner
of the district; at present such notices are sent only from
lunatic hospitals and private asylums—the authorities of
which arc interested in pre serving the lives of their patients,
from whom profit is derived, which must cease on their
death ; while in the public asylum, if there is any interest in
the matter at all, it is in getting rid of the trouble of bur-
dens, and yet no notice is required—ill-treatment, neglect,
and other causes of premature death may be there smothered
up and unnoticed.
8. The powers of the commissioners in granting and re-
scinding or refusing licenses, also in enforcing rules, pro-
hibitions, and recommendations should be extended; but to
guard against any unjust or improper exercise of arbitrary
power there should be some court of appeal, but all frivolous
and vexatious appeals should be dismissed with costs against
the parties making them. Such are a few of the alterations
which appear to me to be required in the lunacy laws. That
the time for the further amendment of them is come no one
can dispute and it is to be hoped that the committee of in-
quiry, of which the hon. member for Bath has given notice for
next session, will be able, on the evidence that will be laid be-
fore thena,to report in favour of many desirable changes. The
improvements of past years—and they have beets very great—
have served to throw light upon remaining imperfections. Let
us earnestly set to work to remove them. As a decided
advocate of the abolition of all mechanical restraint, and
believing that, with thee exception of some most extraor-
dinary cases, such abolition is merely a question of expense,
I should be inclined to advocate some legislative 'restrictions
on the subject—say, giving to the commissioners power
absolutely to forbid the coarser forms of it, and to deter-
mine what mild forms should alone be permitted. I have
already far outstepped the bounderies within which these
observations ought to have been confined, but I could add
much more on the subject. The prevention of lunacy, espe-
cially, is a topic upon which I feel much inclined to offer a
few observations, but must fur the present forbear; should,
however, these remarks be favourably received, I may at
frame future time trouble the readers of The Times with my
views on that interesting and important question.