Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-12-21

W ihe able editors Of the Charleston n
Free Press, in publishing our notice of the
Western Lunatic Hospital. take occasion
10 express their hearty concurrence in the
Importance Of adequate provision being
made for the moral treatment Of tho insane
We trust that the day is not distant when
The Hospitals of our State will be freed
from The stigma which has too long rest
cd upon them, OF being mere prison houses
for that unfortunate class of fellow heings
The reform which has been so favorst,v
commenced, under the auspices of Doctor
STRIDLING, in the institution here mus,
command the support o! every humane and
intelligent member of the Legislature W no
will give his attention 10 the subject Sub
joined are the remarks OF the Free Press
we heartily concur in the above recon-
Inenda'ion. There is no sui iect OF the same
Importance which has been so shameiulIy
neglected 10y our Legislature as the pruuer
care OF our unfortunate lunatIcs. IL il true
mat oouy has from time 10 time made respect-
able appropriations for the construction of
iunatc hospitals and for the support of the
wrctcbed inmates; but thew have entirely
agement OF these institutions; thew pnnanr ,o
be ignorant oil the improvements in the treat
menl oil these uniurtunates, which have re.
sulted IN The cure Of so large a portion ef
those who have been subjected 10 their soolh
Ing influences. Until recently, lunatic was
generally deemed incurable by human ef,
ior's, and was by many classed with idiots
put The enlightened efforts of the Physicians
OF France have demonstrated the absurdi,y
IAN IIrflfa
Ihdn hay OF those who are confined as luna
Tics ATE cured, and the condition of all allies
waited. hey entirely scout The scourga. the
chain, ana The ungeon-those horrible an
Pliances oil an English mad house, that have
frequently been known to deprive the sane OF
their reason and by the moral treatment of
their patients, 10y the soothing effects ofmu.
sic' inc amusements Of occupation, exercise
The use ct the bath, Sc, have disarm.d al
many Of its terrors one OF the beavjes, mis-.
fortunes with which an all wise Providence
hes afflicted humanity.
Doctor STRIBLING deserves much credi,
Tor his efforts IN introducing this mild treat,
ment into the Hospital at Slaunton and I'm.
der all ihe circumstances, his success is hiyL.
Iy encouraging.
We trust that the next Legislature viii
extend The accommodations for this class of
claimants on ihei. sympathies SO ns 10 ono
Bile all who are affected, TO be placed in ON.
Of the State hospitals. There are now seye
ral confined in our Jail, from wan, Of room a,
the hnspiialS,at heavy expense 10 the State;
and from the absence OF all necessary means
to improve their condition, they are becon,
iLg worse than when first confined Our mol
icy needs amendment il relation 20 these af
HIcted beings. The dictates of humanity
as well as the pecuniary interests oil the State,
demand IT. Let, then, The Leg i.lature spare
l AT 4 h. 4,
sys'em into our hospitals. We have no doubt
an actual saving to the State,vill be the uIri
mate effect But, who can calculate the
cost when he reflects upon the govd To he eff
iecIed and The misery 10 be alIev lated by Ibis
benevolent institution!