Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-06-16
VERM ONT TELEG GRAPH,

former year. This is mainly attributed
10 the increased remedial means, which,
in accordance with the improvements Of
the age have been introducedin the Asyl-
um.
Of all the disorders to which the hu-
man frame is liable, that which is termed |
Insanity, although most interesting, on
account of its deranging the operations of
the mind, and involving the exercise OF
the reason, has been strange y neglected. !
Instead Of regarding it, as it really is,
strictly morbid state of some of the phys !
ical organs, and the deranged manifesta-
tons Of mind merely the symptoms of
that state, it has been too common to look
upon it as an unintelligible maIady of the
immortal existence itself; and the unhap-
py lunatic has been left, with a simple
provision for his animal wants or com
forts, victim to the idle and ignorant be-
lief that his disease was immedicable, and
must be left to the healing virtue oftime,
and straight jacket. Happily for the
afflicted inmatss of the Asylum, a DISPOSE
ton has ever been manifested by those to
whom its management has been intrusted,
to place within their reach, as far as the
resources of the institution will admit,
most of the remedies which experience
has proved best calculated to remove or
mitigate their pitable condition. During
the past year much pains has been taken
TO increase the facilities for the proper
moral treatment of the PATIENTS and there
can be no doubt, that the large proportion
of cures among those who had been for
years, suffering in an almost hopeless state
of insanity, is to be greatly ascribed to the
increased number of means which have
been supplied, to be used under the direc-
ton of those qualified to prescribe them.
When contemplating the powerful infu-
ence exercised by the physical organiza-
ton over the mental operations, as exhib-
tied in the ravirg delirum of a person Ia
boring under acute inflammation Of the
brain; and the direct and speedy effect
produced upon the mind by remedies ad-
dressed immediatel Y to the diseased or
gan; we can form some toierabIv correct
Judgment Of he reciprocal reaction of the
mental upon the material part, and cam
not but be convinced that amusement en-
plovment, or whatever is calculated 10
sooth or divert the intellectual excitement
are as much proper and Legitimate pre-
Scriptlons, as the use Of caIomel, opium,
or the lancet; and every conscientious
Physician, in treating those depending for
) restoration to health upon his skill, will
, feel the absence Of the one, as much as he
, would the loss Of the Others The great
benefit which has resulted from the i'm.
provements made within the past year
gives reason to believe that no effort will
t be spared still further to increase the re-
l sources Of the Asylum in the means best
/ calculated to remove or relieve the awful
: malady with which its patients are aft1ict-
2 ed
2 Eight deaths have occurred in the
Asylum during the past year, beng about
| 7-4ths per cent. All Of these but two
f were patients brought to the institution
: during the year, after they had been long
: suffering under their various diseases and
5 been subjected to active medical treatment
f Nos. 365 and 4O7 had been residents al
, The Asylum for a considerable length Of
2 time, they were both in the seventy-trs
4 year of their age, the former died lnstan
f taneously Of Apoplexy, the latter died o.
' Gastrlus after protracted sickness. Nos
All and Al died of inflammation Of the
: Brain after few days residence in the
J Asylum. No. 398 died of Paraly sis aged
I 80 years. No. 457 died ofNania Potu
D aged SO. No. 443 died of Tumor in the
. Brain aged 81. No. 4j4 died Of lnhan.
= nation otthe Brain and Costrits combin
ed, aged As years.
e Of the forty-six patients now in the
0 Asylum, fifteen have been afflicted with
{ Insanity upwards Of twenty years, sixteen
$ upwards CT ten years, seven upwards O
- five years, two between one and two years
" and one rather less than one year. Three
of them are above seventy years Of age
six between sixty and seventy, fourteen
= between fifty and sixty, twelve between
. forty and fifty, six between thirty and for
ty, and five below thirty.
The most of the old patients who have
e been long residents in the institution, witt
0 the exception Of that affection Of the brain
which prevents the right exercise Of rea
son, enjoy uninterrupted health through
out the year. and are generally comforta
0 bic and contented. There are a few
l. whose disease is periodical, and who, ex
Is cept when suffering under an attack, ar
d capable of performing many duties abou
the establishment, and thus rendering thei
residence there both useful and NOR
.e agreeable: to these, the quiet, and regu
5 lated discipline of the house, insure tn
rational enjoyment of their mental pow
ers, during much larger portion of thei
time than they could possibly realize
exposed 10 the usual cares and excitemer