Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-11-28

Vermont Asylum for the Insane.
Below is the Report of the Trustees of this in
stitution. 1t is document that will interest all
true philanthropists
EPORT.
To the Honorable the General Assembly,
Of the State of Vermont:
! The Trustees of the Vermont Asylum
for the Insane, respectfully submit this
their Second Annual REPORT:
In consequence OF Resolve of the last
Legislature, making an appropriation for
the enlargement of the accommodations
of the institution, no time was lost by the
trustees in procuring and adopting the
best model of a building for this purpose.
Many and various We're the plans present.
ed to their examination. OF the different
asylums which are now completed in the
United States, no two are alike In de-
vising plan for every one, an attempt
was made to improve upon those which
had preceded, according 10 the several no.
tons of the required facilities, as viewed
by those who had charge of their con-
struction. Consequently one establish
ment would be better adapted for the fur
therance Of one object, and another for the
accomplishing of some other. The re-
cent Improvements in the construction of
these establishments, as it regards dura-
blllty, convenience, classification and COM
fort, have been so great and important, as
to change materially their character from
what it formerly was. The several plans
presented 10 our attention were carefully
examined, and having ascertained their
relative advantages, we apopted one differ
ing in some respects from each, and at the
!, same time combining the important adj
vantages Of all.
In constructing proper building for
. the insane, there are many objects to be
taken into consideration, to render it adj
apted for the several objects in view.
Such is the character of the inmates that
it should be made OF durable materials
So many and laborious are the duties to
be performed in lunatic sylum, that too
great attention cannot be paid to its con-
b venience, both for the patients and those
E who have the care of them. A very i'm
] por,ant subject to be taken into consldera
ton is tha! due arrangement be made fol-
the classification and comfort of the In
i mates. Pure air is essential to their health
n but the common means of ventilation, ir
ordinary buildings, would furnish the
re means OF escape and personal injury
: Though some are in degree insensibls
. TO cold and hea, others from the i'll health
on which sometimes their insanity depend
" are very sensible to the vicisstudes c
d temperature. Still to give them access t
S fire would furnish opportunities for thei
y own destruction and that of the building
Of Without due regard to these and othe
re important objects to be secured in the al
10 rangement of the building, it must nece.
sariIv be incomplete, and for which no |;
Dor or watchfulness can fully compensat
ut The style of architecture which W
. have adopted is perfectly plain and sin
he pie, and inpresses the behoder with ii
mo- idea of symmetrical beauty and the al
,e, pcarance of strength and durability. 4
-, utility has been the great object in Il
:" construction of this building, no expen
ng has been allowed to needless ornamel
er, and none was intended to be withheld tn
if might render it convenient, pleasant, al
an durable
tor The edi6ce, when completed, will CO
ae sist of centre building and two win!
all extending in the same line, measure
g one hundred and seventy feet, a
her fronting the south The centre build
we is fifty feet in front and forty in depth.
we has basement, an attic and three prin
an pal stories. In the attic there is char
for religious worship The wings 9
- sixty-three feet in length and thirtv-sx
'"s breadth, consisting OF basement and t
ears principal stories, extending TO the RIG
=, and left of the centre building. The c,
nee: ire building projects twenty-five feet
MORT front of the wings, and consequently
half the width of the latter falls b.
from the former in the rear. BY this
PIE rangement one half of the width Of
ls'er long halls in the wings will fall entir
has in the rear of the centre building,
lion. these halls will thereby have The free
one culation of the external air by means
IF the large windows at their ends, and
thus secure the complete ventilation
~ separate buildings, and at the same ii
are being connected with the centre build
Per by one half their width, free commun
other ton is formed with the same.
lurch The whole structure is to be bull
ne Of brick, with the exception of about
r.r thirds OF the basement, which is Of st
r, - The basement story of the centre buil'
''0" will be occupied for kitchen. laun
and store rooms One of the front ro
that of the first story, will be for the pt
the clans room, and the other for the L
int to ees ana Board OF VISITORS; The
dv Cor EOOinS Oh lu0 uTSt dud 3SS~ONu StOIleS