Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-04-07

35 and from AS to SIS the same number are
found insane, at present. in this Hospital.
In most institutions particularly those of
a private character, the admissions Of recent
cases are much greater than those Of old
ones. In this Hospital. by the sixth table,
il will be seen that more than three-fifths oil
the admissions have been old cases, almost
two fifths Of which have existed from 5 10
20 years and upwards.
BY comparing this and the seventh table
it will be seen that comparatively few recent
cases remain at the end Of the year. In
1886, 81 recent cases were admitted in the
course of the year and only l | remained at
the end Of il.
The eight table shews that OF the patients
admitted into the Hospital, 337 were unmar.
ried, and only l73 married. OF the 337,
2s3 were never married, 80 were widows
and "a widowers
The ninth table shews that large pro.
portion Of the cases admitted into the Hos
pital. is in middle life. the greatest number
Of any ten years, between 40 and SO years
Of age, next greatest between 80 and 40, and
the least under 20 years, except in extreme
old age.
From the tenth table we learn that, so far
as our records are criterion. the greatest
number OF attacks Of insanity OF both sexes
is from the age Of 20 to 80, and the next
greatest from 80 TO 40 But in one Of the
great Hospitals in France different result
is exhibited. Males are the most frequently
attacked between 20 and 80, and females
between 80 and 40 years Of age.
The twelfth table exhibits some interesting
facts. OF 81 males under 20 years of age
6 only recovered, less than 28 l-2 per cent
OF Ga males between the ages of 40 and 65,
"A recovered, almost 6s per cent OF ~
patients between the ages of 20 and IS, 81
only recovered, 81 l-2 per cent. OF 20 pa
tien,s between the ages Of 40 and So so
recovered, which is more than 20 per cent
Of AZ patients between the ages Of SO and
60, 20 recovered, which is more than So
per cent OF 9 cases between the ages OF
so and 60 all recovered.
i The facts here presented are different
from the opinions of authors and from the
general impressions Of the public. it is be-
lieved. however, that In this country they are
correct One reason why insanity is less
lcurnble in the young. is. that il arises. in
lsuch cases, more frequently from physical
lcauses than in more advanced lie, particu.
larly from naturbation. Another reason
probably, is. that the brain and nervous sys
TEN Of the young. being more susceptible
nre more likely 10 be affected by organic
disease, which renders insanity permanent
and incurable.
The thirteenth table also exhibits much
that is interesting. OF l6l cases that rert
admitted into the Hospital during the frs
| n IA
bic, lS only failed Of cure, Of these Il
died, and 6 pere removed before they had
had sufficient trial Of remedies, so that o
l6l recent cases, 2 only remain in the Hos
piiai as old cases, and but one Of these i
certainly inenyabis i! In the l6l recent cas-
es are estimated, the ii remaining in tn
Hospital at the close of Mis gear, and thes
are all included scih the durable of 81
cases betpeen and 2 gears duration, 46 re
covered. of 62 that had been insane Be
ttoeen 5 and 10 years. 6 only recovered, ana
Of az cases represented to hare been iasan
opsr 10 years. three only recovered, and /
i mag be doubtful whether these had been s.
long diseased.
r From the fifteenth table we derive SOM
valuable acts
e First. The disparity Of cases from in
4 temperance in the different sexes. of the II
: cases from this cause, 90 were males and Il
S females. two or three only were delirium tire
e mems.
: Second, The disparity Of cases from dc
: mestic Affections Of various kinds. Of III
$ cases, 65 were females and so males
Third. The disparity of cases from i'll
health Of various kinds, of SO cases, 60 wer
! females and 23 males.
. Fourth The disparity Of cases from va
!. rious religious causes, Of Al cases. &c wer
:. males and 10 females.
v There are one or two facts in this connex
ion that deserve passing remark. 1t is
: very common observation by the unrefecl
e ing, that females become insane more fire.
4 quently than men from religious causes, an,
d this is often spoken reproachfully Of rel
n gion. The facts here recorded shew di
e ferent result Another fact is, that religion
/. people are not more frequently afflicted wit
n religious melancholy or religious phrenzy
than the dissolute and licentious, the scoffer
s and revilers OF christianity. Such has bee
q my observation in my intercourse with tn
Il insane II may be surprising to some tina
d so large number of cases are attributed t
r religious Causes, but when we consider tn
( diversity of modes which these causes ma
5 affect the mind. we shall cease to be surpris
y ed In one case the cause is high excite
;. ment, in another exaltation, in third fear {
; future punishment, in fourth fear Of tn
II displeasuIe OF Deity, in fifth, sense {
II guilt. sc.