Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-07-12
SPECTATOR.
-STAUMTON.
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1888.
WESTERN LUNATIC HOSPITAL,

ES EhN LUNA IlC HOSPITAL.
An able aud interesting report was
submitted to the Court of Directors of
the Western Lunatic Hospital on Sat-
urday last, by Dr.. Stribliug. the Physi-
clan Of the institution, which we hope
will give new impulse in our State to
the noble aud benevolent efforts made in
behalf of that afflicted portion Of our
race. BY the direction of the Court, DR..
Stribling has visited number of the
most celebrated and best conducted asy>
iums in the Northern and Eastern States.
He has THIS had an opportunity Of OBJ
serving the operation of principles which
ne has hitherto recommended, and Of
obtaining besides fund Of valuable in.
formation. in regard to every branch of
this most Interesting subject, This in
formation he wishes to apply imme-
diately as far as practicable to our own
institution. Our limits at present will
not permit us 10 60 into the details Of the
report. If indeed it were practicable to
compress them. satisfactorily. into mar
rover compass than they occupy in the
report itself. But there are some fact,
disclosed in connexion with The ins,i>
tuition here, SO interesting that we eau.
not pass them over in silence. Itappears
from the report that the number of pa
tients who have enjoyed the advantages
OF the Hospital during the past year has
exceeded that of any previous year since
its establishment-bcing So. The num-
Der now in the institution is 7l-35
males aud 36 fsmales-The number of
recent cases admitted into the institution
during the year has been l6-of these
10 have been cured. 9 much improved,
one has died, and three remain from IN
sufficient trial. Here we see the impor.
lance of adequate provision being made
for the reception Of recent cases, most
strikingly illustrated While cures are
rare in those of long standing, there is a
strong probability that nearly every one
oil recent occurrence may be restored.
lmpelled by this conviction. DR.. Strib-
ling most fee lingly urges on the Court the
propriety of an application to the Leg
islature for the privilege of reserving a
certain number of cells for recent cases.
As there is little probability Of any i'm
mediate enlargement of the Hos pitals
adequate to the end. we sincerely hope
the application may be made, and that
1t may be successful. There is not the
shadow ola doubt that the present system
is consigning numbers, yearly, to hope.
less insanity. that might oe cured.
The report gives Ms the gratifying in
formation that there have been but two
deaths in The institution during the year,
and that the number discharged has fall
len little short of the number admitted.
Under the liberal appropriations OF
the last Legislature, q contract has been
made for the erection of an additional
building to the Hospital. which will
probably accommodate about fifty pa.
tients. A quantity Of land has also been
purchased, to give amusement and exer>
else to the patients. in that most delight
full of all occupations, the cultivation Of
the earth. Other means of recreation
and employ ment are also provided. or in
contemplation, which. while they will
be of incalculable value in alluring the
wrecked mind from its phantasies, and
10 assisting in its recovery. will tend in
no inconsiderable degree to lessen the
expenses Of the establishment.
The report Of DR.. Striking will be
published shortly, in pamphlet form,
when we propose to make our readers
better acquainted with it.
PARK ERSPIIpr Dn,n