Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-12-04

charged the past year 81 10
y By a reference to the above, it will be seen that there has been a lar
ger proportion Of recoveries than in either of the preceding years. Our
new building has enabled us to adopt n more complete classification Of
our patients, and apply the facilities of the institution with greater adj
vantage.
The improvement of our incurable patients is a n object of little less
importance than The restoration of those who are durable. To improve
al old cas-, which has been abandoned as desperate, to awaken his self
respect, to call into exercise his powers of selEcontrol, and cause him to
observe the decences and civiites of life, requires no less skill than to
restore those who re not beyond the means ofcure. The Improvement
of our incurabe patients has been great. Many OF the noisy the iurr
Gus and the violent, have become quiet and orderly, the filthy have be-
come neat, and many that required much attention from others, now
assist in performing the duties Of the institution.
As soon as a patient manftsts any return Of reason, his liberties are
increased, and he is encouraged to exercise his judgment and selfcontrol
by joining in the enployments and amusements of the convalescents by
associating with them and the officers, and having, IS ar a IS pracuca-
Bile, the privileges Of an ordinary boarder at a public boarding house. 10
retain this confidence, the patient endeavors TO control his disordered
feelings, and frequently succeeds in regaining the lost balance oil his
mind. Those who have sufficiently improved, walk about unaccompa-
MED BY any one, visit the different places in the village, and in a word,
are their own keepers. They rarely abuse the confidence thus placed in
them; and frequently assist the farmer and attendants in watching those
who require il.
While / would again urge the necessity of an early removal Of the in
sane to a public asylum, rs the best policy in a pecuniary point of view,
as well as aaording a much better chance for recovery, would not dis
courage the friends Of those, who have been insane for a longer time,
from making use of the means which can be obtained only at an insttu-
ton provided for the purpose. In almost every instance these old cases
have been improved in their habits, and in some instances, have recov-
cred, contrary to the anticipations of every one.
In old cases, a cure should not be speedily expected. During the past
year one Of our patients, who had been insane FIVE years before adniss-
ion, has been discharged recovered, who, at the end Of thirteen months
from the time OF his admission, manifested no Improvement, and at the
end Of seventeen months, was entirely restored. make these remarks
to correct the opinion Of some who suppose that three, or at most, six
months, to be a adequate time of trial. Such facts should encourage
us to persevere in similar cases, and not despair in our endeavors to re-
move this affective disorder.
Insanity increases with civilization and refinement. The farther we
depart from the simple habits and customs of our ancestors, the more
shall we prepare for the introduction of this disorder. When we take a
view ofour country, and witness its advancement in wealth, civilization
aud refinement, the many powerful temptations to embark in hazardous
enterprises, the sudden accumulation and loss of property which fr-
quendy hOppens-the freedom Of our institutions, by which the hum
blest citizen may aspire to the highest Office in the gift of the people; the
fierce and pesevering strhes which are every where carried on, both in
the accumulation of wealth and obtaining political distinction; and the
many trials Of disappointment and modification to which all are liable;
who can doubt the many active and operating causes to increase this dis
ease in our countryl Persons of all classes and stations in life, are liable
TO this affection. Those who are now rejoicing in the besings7 OF
health and reason, may soon be afflicted with this severe calamity.
Insanity usually arises from ONE arrangement Of the functions Of the
brain and nervous system, and like other diseases, requires medical as
well as moral treatment. This disease is often SO obscure in its nature
and various in its manifestation, that most medical practitioners do not
bestow that labor in its investigation as in other disorders; and consider
ing the impractcabiity of managing many of these cases in a private
family, they usually recommend an early removal to an asylum where
the usual facilities can be easily applied Gr their restoration.
It's almost Indispensable for success in the treatment Of the insane,
that they be removed from their homes and their relations. 1t is very
frequently the case that an insane person conceives a dislike, and some
times complete hatred, towards those he formerly loved. When this o-
ours, the watchful soicitude Of friends, and their tender and constant as
siduities, not only do not promote his comfort, but greatly aggravates his
disease, and increases his enmity towards them. II is, therefore, the
greatest kindness they can bestow upon the unfortunate sufferer, to re-
move him from those scenes Of excitement and irritation.
Among the various exerhons ofthe present day to ameioratc the con-
diton Of our fslow-nen, we are gratifed TO notice that the condition Of
the insane has not been Neglected or forgotten. The nature Of this dis
ease has been duly Investigated and the proper remedies discovered Album
dant experience has proved the practcabiity ofthe enterprise, and many
are now reaping the advantages Of the discovery. II has been sufficient
ly proved that the insane, under suitable medical and moral remedies
may be IS easily restored to reason and their former happiness, as those
suffering any other disease, equally severe.
Were there no other advantages derived from an asylum Of this kind
than the increased comfort Of the insane, and the relief from anxiety