Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-12-05

Whether, then, we view the proportion ofre-
coveries relating to the whole number re-
ceived, or to the recent cases alone, our success
must be equally gratifying, as it will be found
to have fallen little, if OF all short of that in
,any other insane establishment of Europe or |
america.
The benefits which have resulted from this |
system OF reform, do not. however, stop here, |
but are most strikingly exhibited in the inn
proved condition and increased happiness of
those who we have already seen, occupy so
large u portion of our asylum; and who, al |
though incurable, are nevertheless most SEN |
| sitively alive TO every attention with which |
they are favored, whether ii has for its object
the improvement of their health or the promo
ton of their comfort.
s'rhe advantages also in a pecuniary point
of view, (altho' to be sure of secondary inn
portance,) have not been less conspicuous.
During the 8 years III which the institution
had been in operation prior to July, 1896,
not fifty dollars. SO far as can ascertain, (and
l have taken considerable pains to inform my
| self in relation thereto,) have been refunded
to the Treasury of the State, by those who
had during that time enjoyed the benefits
which each annual appropriation of the LIE
gislature had been expended in providing for
them-and hence, during the whole of the
period, the institution tax upon the
treasury to almost the full amount distracted
therefrom. Not so, however, during the last
three years. From July 1896, to July 1898,
patients were received and accommodated,
who have paid, or are in circumstances which
would justify us in requiring them to pay
$l0OO--and since July 1888, a debt amount
ing to $1,000 has been incurred for board, med
ical attendance &c. by those who are not on
| ly able, but whose friends are willing to nav
1t; and at this time there are a number of in
dividuals here, who will pay in the aggregate
S2l3 per month, or at the rate of 1856 per
annum-besides number OF others who, al
tho unable to pay their hoard have their clio
thing furnished them by their friends. You
will therefore perceive that i'm proportion as
facilities have been afforded i'm our institution
for the relief and comfort of the insane, has it
| attracted to it those who will not only refund
, to the State what may be here expended for
their beneft-and in addition aid in the sup
port of the poorer class of patients-but who,
under other circumstances, would either have
remained athome, and permitted their disease
to have become confrmed-or would have
left their native State, as many had done, in
search of some asylum supplied with those
! aids to comfort, enjoyment, and restoration,
which their own denied them. And am
not fully warranted in the prediction that the
time is not distant, when with but few alter
ations i'll our present plan of management, we
may establish reputation for our institution
that will secure to ii the undivided patronage
! of the more wealthy class of the insane,
whereby we may expect to defray at least
two-thirds OF the expense attending its oper-
! ationS.
'iIn estimating the pccuniary benefits which
have already accrued, is it not perfectly fair
also to include what has been saved to the
State by the cure of those who have been res
torcd to their homes and former occupations.
and who otherwise would have remained
charge upon its bounty during a LONG and
helpless life. Of the "a individuals above
reported as having recovered their reason. %
We're paupers-a class ofunfortunates which
above all others, exhibits the darkest and
most hapiess picture of human SUFFERING.
The average age of these was 80 years-ai.
lowing then that they would have lived to
80 years each GO years less than the limit
assigned to human life by it's Divine author
and estimating the annual cost of supporting
each at $2l2, the sum now paid for the sup
port OF such In the Jails ofthe commonwealth.
You have the sum of $95,4O0 as the amount
saved. And In addition to this we should re-
member that the vacancies thus occasioned
afforded an opportunity for relief to others,
who, had they been longer excluded from the
institution, might have been doomed to hap
less insanity, and have burthened the State
likewise with their support for many years.
| sin view, then, ofall these circumstances.
can any one Tor moment question either the
| humanity or the economy of those appropria
lions which have been made for the moral de-
partment OF our asy lum;and should not the hap
Ply consequences which have been seen 10 re-
suit from their judiclous expenditure encour-
age future Legislatures to manifest a wise
and Phiianthropic solicitude, by CONTINUING to
and so good, so holy a cause.
AS the community in general, and partic-
ulariy'those who are remote from our institu
lion, are most lamentably ignorant with re-
spect TO the mode in which its inmates are
managed, and as letters are frequently receiy-
ed containing inquiries In relation thereto. il
] may be well to communicate such information
upon the subject as can be condensed within
a limited report like the present Thewhole
system OF treatment 10 which the insane are
here subjected, is divided ofnecessity into me-
deal and morai--but as particulars reIatino
to the former could be supposed only to inter.
est the medical practitioner, will confine
my remarks exclusively to the latter branch
Of this division.
| "By the term moral treatment, then. we
mean, any thing connected with the manage
ment OF such an asylum not strictly medical:
as Tor instance, habitaion, nourisbment. oc.
IcuPatlon, exercise, amusement, restraint. SC.
and oil these will speak separately, in the
order that they have been mentioned.
| ~. tabitaton. Our buildnp is situated
upon pleasant and salubrions emiueuce.
somewhat remote from, but in view of the
town, and ove1iooks several of the urincipal
roads leading tllereto.-For architectural beau-
W, IL is unsurpassed by any similar institution
In our country, and in its internal arraroe-
ment, is well CaIcuIaied tn ,,ro,,.<. / a. -