Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-11-24

TENTS. Our family worship in which all the
quiet patients are allowed to partake. consists
10 reading daily. after tea. portion Of the
scriptures, singing a hymn, and prayer
On the sabbath, in addition TO the above,
short sermon is read, The effect Of these
exercises on the patients has been highly
sautary; and has shown that they are no
less means Of cure than of qualification to
the patient. Al these seasons they are very
quiet and attentive, and several have begun !
to exercise that selfcontrol which has result
ed in their restoration The monotonous
routine OF daily life is hereby interrupted,
and they are led to the recollection Of former
and happier days, on which their minds de-
light TO dwell, and they confidently look for
ward to the time when they Shall again be
restored TO their friends and society Here,
also, the respondent forgets, for time, his
cares and sorrows, and experiences the con-
soling and soothing effects Of religious wor-
ship He is comforted and sustained by the
reflection that there is Friend who, while
on earth. was touched with a sense Of human
nfirmity." and is ever able TO relieve the af
fiicted and heavy laden They perceive that
they are united with, and remembered by
their fellow-men and thereby place a greater
confidence in those to whose care they are
committed Were it not for our religious
exercises on the sabbath, Sunday would be
the most tedious day Of the week As all
labor, exercise, and amusemenis are suspen-
aeu on tuat gay, II tue patients are deprived
of the privilege OF uniting in religious wor-
ship. they consider themselves as shut out
from the society OF their fellow-men, and are
induced to cherish an irritable and misan-
thropic disposition which only aggravales
the disease. Those that are in suitable
condition attend church on The sabbath.
| Ii is source Of much qualification 10 the
physician that we are favored with such an
abundance Of pure water salubrious air, and
cheerful scenery at the Asylum. The pa
lienis have been remarkably healthy during
the past year. and only one death has occur
red This was one of the old cases. where
the physical system had been much impair
ed; and being violently attacked with acute
disorder. the powers Of life were too nearly
exhausted TO Withstand the disease. Consid
ering that insanity is owing TO disorder Of
; the system, and also considering the impaired
health OF many Of our patients when they
were admitted, we canno; but rejoice in III,
healthness Of our situation and the salutary
system Of our regulations.
, The discipline of this Asylum is truly pa
rental As soon as the patients are in {
proper condition they eat at our table. ar,
1 received into our parlor. join with ms in oui
family worship, go with us TO church,-ir
, a word are members of our family The
convalescent and orderly class of patients
+ take their meals regularly with the family
in the central part of the building; which
+ operates as powerful motive to exercis
r that sef-control without which they canno
d obtain what they consider great privilege
!. The food, however, is precisely alik
e throughout the institution, except in thos
e cases where the diet is prescribed by III
n physician.
d Notwithstanding several attendants hav
. been employed who were at first who'll
A unacquainied with their duties, no seriou
,. accident whatever has happened TO any pei
: son (patient or otherwise) at the Asylum
IS The patients have quietly acquiesed in tn
" disc ipline Of the instiluiion,and generally bt
# come SO orderly and inoffensive after fe,
IS days residence as to require but little r.
r. strant. The impartial and well regulate
oil discipline of lunatic asylum does not irr
70 tate them, nor diminish their confidence j
n those under whose care they are placed
On the contrary they regard il with loya
% feeling. and consider il as necessary TO thei
- comfort and welfare We have never PR
i, vided, much less, used, chains or strat-jacl
4 cts in this institution.
q The building as now prepared is well
!, dapted for the number il accommodates.
=. But until another building is erected, so ur.
II ent are the applications for admission th
/ hereafter il will probably be crowded. w
" humbly trust that an institution so human
,Id and pbilanthropic in its character. so BEN
=. licient in its operations, and rejecting S
: much credit upon the munifcence ofthe les
= islature will receive that pecuniary ali
= which will enable it to extend its usefulne:
=, 10 the wants OF the state. When anolh,
80 building shall be completed, the present OF
4. will be a very desirable retreat for every p
= tient as soon as they emerge from the thc
~ cloud which envelopes their minds Ha
ri ing thus propiIiously begun, we trust th
"a public expectation is satisfied May we n
,s hope that the time is not far distant whe
ID this Asylum will take no humble rank
80 lnong the distinguished charities Of OF
iie WILLIAM ii. ROCKWELL,
- Superintendent
n Bratileboro, Sept go 1887.
b. TERMS OF ADMISSION.