Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-06-16
EXTRACTS

state ofthe asylum for the relief of per-
sous deprived Of the use oftheir reason.
The Managers Of Friends Asylum be-
ing DESTROYS of spreading a more general
knowledge of the superior accommoda
tiens it possesses for the care and cure Of
the insaa 2, have, in conformity with the
directions Of the contributors at their late
annual meeting, prepared for publication
the following account of the institution:
ThesAsylum is situated in a healthy
and retired neighborhood, about six miles
snorth-east from Philadelphia, and one
rule west from Frankfort, on farm of
Ssixty-two acres, about one-fourth ofwhich
is woodland. The buildings consist Of a
centre, sixty feet square, three stories high,
with basement, having two wings each
two stories high, and twenty-four feet
wide, connected with lodges at each end
three stories high, presenting a whole
front Of three hundred and twenty feet, all
ofstone, and covered with slate. The pa
TENTS rooms are comnnodious, and we'll
ventilated and warmed by means Of heat
ed air. The lodges are used for the sep
arate confinement ofthe violent and noisy
maniacs, and are so constructed as effect
ua!ly to prevent the other patients from
hearing or being disturbed with the noise.
Those patients who are so far GONZALES
cert IS 10 be allowed the privilege, have &C
cess to the purlor, the Managers room, the
principal halls, gardens and grounds OIL
the institution.
Ithas been found very difficult TO ADOPT
any uniform system Of employment adapt
ed TO the different conditions of our pa
tients they are generally unwilling 10 en-
gage in outdoor labor, which is on al
accounts the best. The Managers, how.
ever, under an entire conviction Of the
great benefits which result from constan
exercise in the open air, endeavor to pro-
mote useful occupation among them
Such ofthe male patients who, from habi
and health, are equal to the task, assist the
farmer and gardener in their various oc
equations :; the female patients are EN-
ployed in sewing, knitting, quilting, ont
other branches OF housewifery.
TO attract and fix the attention oil all dis
inclined to useful occupation, considera
bic effart has been made; for this pur
pose, the 'introduction of animated object
being deemsd beneficial, lambs, poultry
English rabbits, pigeons, SC. have beer
placed in the patients yards with good ell
feet and for such as may be detaine
within doors by the weather or i'll health
materials for drawing and writing, books
popular periodicals with engravings, an
a v6riety of articles have been provide
calculated to interest and please them.
3 A circular railway of about four hun
dred feet circumference located on tn
lawn in front of the building, has bee
constructed, with car for two persons, t
be propelled by themselves, affording {
once amusement and exercise to those er
gagged, and occupying the attention of oil
er patients.
Upon the morning and afternoon
each day when the weather is suitable,
carriage is in readiness to take those n,
tients designated by the physicians thr,
the pleasant rides Of the vicinity.
- With view furtt to promote the con
fort Of the afflicted dbiects of their car
the Managers have ERECTED the appOiu
ment of an'ofFicer Of zach sex, whose p
~culiar duty il shall BE to strive useful
and agreeably TO occupy the time and q
tention Of the respective patients, in SUI
manner as may be most conducive TO q
good of each individual-at the same tin
to seek and to cherish every returning II
Of reason, ill.,.
Onthe evening Of the first day Of d
week. the patients, both male aud femal
with the exception Of those precluded
IN health, or necessity of secIusion,) a
collected together in their respective da
rooms, where portion ofthe Holy Scri
lures Is read to them. Il Is seldom d
nny interruptions take place; on the co
nary, the silence and the quiet that reig
around Is often remarkable.