Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-03-08
MASSACHUSETTS LuxAr1o AsYLum-

nASSACHUSETTS LUNATIC ASYLUM
Or the CTS patients admitted in the state
asylum at Worcester, the past year, 267
have been discharged cured, 90 improved,
and 81 unimproved, 81 have died have e.
loped, and lSS remain. The proportion OF
cures in recent cases, has gradually augmen-
ted-S2 per CT. in 1884, 10 50 3-5 in 1887
The Boston Traveller says the proportion
of deaths is greater in European establish
meD,s. The expenses for 1897 are S2S 1857
which after deducting salaries, sc. makes
the board only 50 70 a week for each pa
tent There are II paupers. Chains are
never used, nor the light OF day excluded.
Every patient is comfortably situated, and
the system OF kind and csnciliatory treatment
and exercise, is carried out To the fullest eX-
tent The Report gives the following tru
ly gratifying picture Of The manner in which
this treatment is regulated:
"Employ is one OF the NEST successful
means of cure resorted TO in this institution.
Few paiicnts are indisposed 10 engage in any
useful occupation, and most esteem II a
privilege. The men furnish labor suiii,
cent To perform all the farming and gar
dening operations which our grounds adj
nit OF. Ii is no uHcommon thing 10 see 20
laborers under the care of single at
tendant, and SO quietly do they conduc:
themselves, that stranger would never sus-
pect them 10 be the inmates OF an insane
hospital.
The ma,ron has weekly sewing parties for
the females, which from 80 TO 10 OF the so
female patients regularly attend-many of
them while their insanity is yet SO violent as
10 exhibit itself in the halls aud in their own
rooms. But SO highly is the privilege of
these social aud industrious parties esteemed
81. l., 4. 4
in them, it being understood that any indi-
vidualwbo violates the propriety OF the place,
will in future he excluded. At these par
ties all the bedding for the new wings of the
hospital have been made amounting to sup
ply for mere than one hundred beds Here
also, and in room appropriated TO the pur
pose, where many OF the patients daily as
semhle under the direction OF a seamstress,
and in the halls, is made all the clothing for
the patients IN the whole establishment, eX
cepl such az is supplied by their friends. A
highly beneficial Intluence has this way been
eXerled-that seii-respect, which IN solitude
is soon entirely lost, is here encouraged and
exercised, ard the habit OF observing the de-
cencies and cvilties OF society revived and
thened.-Strong motives are offered
for the eXertion of self control, and however
difficult aud painful the effort, il il made, &
nade with success"
Games in the open air, and reading and
writing in the halls, are some OF the recrea
tons of the males. Music is source OF great
enjoy ment TO all The Report says:
1--WE have t"Ierabe prohcients on a variety
ii. Instruments choir Tor the chapel has
been formed entirely OF patients and attend
ants, PRINCIPALLY Of the former, by which
all the parts OF common church music, both
vocal and instrumental, are performed with
taste and accuracy"
Walking sometimes to neighhoring viii
iage, is another favorite exercise; and parties
frequently walk four or five miles. The less
nlenated are sometimes entrusted in these
excursions, and they never abuse the conf
dence reposed in them. Carriages are used
for the females, and The cid and feeble. Dan
cling Is sometimes admitted. Religious wor-
ship is introduced; and the insane of every
degree have been known, TO tue number o!
$50, 10 conduct themselves during The wor-
ship with decOrum.