Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-04-07
INSANE HOSPITAL.
Extracts from DR.. Wood,cards Fourth An
nnek Report of the STATE LHnatie Aylum
Concluded.

EZfrdes from Ut. W00dU0Tds f0uTM An
nask Report cfAe State Lnn0tie Aylum
H at Worcester
Tsasts the hcspi.ss shall be completed. &C.
cording 10 the present design. we shall have
ample and excellent accommodations for the
insaEe. The edfice is the largest and prob.
able the best arranged of any one in this
country Taking the lead in the enterprises
of this character, this State should be solicit
tous 10 have the best as we'll as the first insti-
tuition.
hospital building is but one item neces-
sary for the successful management, of the
insane. In every possible case they should
be employed. Riding, amusements, games.
walks and reading, are all useful. and the
means for them all should be amply provi.
ded. But labor is the very best employment
and the only one that can be continued long
without safety. Provide fields, gardens and
workshops forlabor. and chapel for religious
worship on the sabbath, and you will show
to the insane what you consider them capa-
bleof doing and enjoying, and they, in return,
will show, by their industry, sobriety and
self control, that they properly appreciate
your confidence, and are grateful for your
efforts to promote their happiness.
BY the blessing Of the Divine Hand. we
have been spared from severe sickness and
mortality and no accident has occurred, en-
dangering the life of officer or inmate this
too, while many Of the furious insane have
been abroad in the field. garden and wood
yard. with the implements of labor in their
hands. and in the workshop with the tools
of the mechanic. in constant use, furnished
without reserve for all mechanical opera
tons. This is rendered the more remarka
| BILE. from the fact that many OF these indi
viduals are liable to high excitement while
| in the halls, and occasionally require re-
skssint to prevent acts of violence and dan.
Ky Does not this speak well for the utility
osT4abor for the insane?
From the first table accompanying the re-
port, it will be seen that in the course of the
year there have been in the Hospital 244
patients. 1875 Of whom have been admitted
in the course Of the year. OF this number
t65 were males and 60 were females, 60 were
recent cases of less than one years dura
ton, and IS had been diseased for longer
period.
The second table shews that l06 patient:
we're discharged from the Hospital in the
course of the year. of which 81 were recen
cases, of less than one years duration, ant
40 were old cases. OF the whole number
Of cases discharged 81 have recovered, Il
improved and eight have died; "a were dis
charged for want of room, before the new
accommodations were ready for occupancy
The recoveries Of all the patients dis
charged this year have been So S-4 pei
cent The recoveries Of recent cases Q
less duration than one year have been ~
rs per cent The recoveries of old cases
including those discharged for want OF room
have been So 2-5 per cent, exclusive o
those discharged for want Of room 80 PEI
cent
j By the third table, we learn that Of thos'
remaining at the end Of the year, the great
est number had been insane from one to fiv'
years. and that large number Of old case
remained. while Il recent cases only wer'
in the Hospital at the end Of the year !