Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-11-18


resided. Ills hands and feet were chain.
ed when be was admitted. His chains
were, Of course, Immediately removed. -
He was put urder mild discipline and
regular medication the result of which
was, that he reformed home well in June,
and is attending to his farm, comfortable
and happy.
The number of deaths for the last has
been much greater than for any former
year. Two were brought here in the last
stages of'consumpt,on. One lived TWEEN
|ty, and the other twenty-five DAYS An
other was brought affected with the delir-
ium of old age. Hewas greatly emaciat-
ed, and unable to walk, or feed himself
He was unconscious of the place of his
residence and regardless Of the calls of
nature. He died on the thirteenth day OF
his admission. We mention thes6 cir
cumstances, not by way of complaint, but
only as explanatory Of The cause OF the in
creased number Of deaths the past year
Since the erection of the new building,
we have not rejected any patient, howev-
er discouraging might be the disease Of
his body, or hopeless the state of his mind.
La every lunatic asylum there will al
ways be greater or less degree Of NOR
tally among the inmates. From the open
ing Of this asylum, two hundred and thir-
ty-nine patients have been admitted, and
only eleven have died, amounting to less
than FIVE per cent La this respect, we
shall not suffer by comparison with the
best regulated institutions of this or any
country. M
1t is now nearly four years since the
opening ofthe asylum. We have thus
Tar escaped any epidemic or severe sick
ness. During this time two hundred and
thlrty-nine patients have received the ben,
efits of the asylum. Among these we
have had patients manifesting every con-
Gition of insanity, from the lowest state of
imbecility, by which heis incapable Of at
tending even to the wants of life to the
violent and furious madman, who, reck-
less of consequences, exposes himself TO
all the dangers which are connected with
such a state. And worst of all, we have
had those suicidal cases, seeking every op-
.portunity Of self-destruction, which an ex-
cited and diseased Imagination could in
vent. Notwithstanding all the dangers and
accidents 10 which we have been expos
ed, no patient has died from suicide, or ac-
.cidentai injury. Isl
There are provided at the asylum, the
usual means for amusements and exer-
else. But the best moral means we have
found forthe benefit ofthe patients, is use
FL employment Id the open air. En-
ploylneHt on the farm has contributed We
ny much to the promotion of the health
and recovery OF our male patients. 1tire-
iieves The irksomeness of confinement,
makes them pleasant and cheerful, i'm
proves their health, and promotes their re-
covery. Convalescents are more particu-
iarly bencftted by it. By resuming their
former accustomed occupations, their wild
Illusions disappear, their former associa-
tions and currente OF ideas return, and their
reason becomes perfectly restored. 1t is
a prominent object with those who have
the care Of the institution, that their en-
+ ployments shall be both pleasant to them
selYes land profitable to the asylum; and
inthis way, to become, as far as practical
bic, seif-sopporting institution. ,ss-4
One Of the chief benefits of useful labor
on the farm, to our patients, Isl that it is
hproductive and profitable. Knowing that
this institution affords the facilities for the
recovery of the insane at a lower rate than
at any similar institution in the Uuited
States, on account OF its being self-sup-
porting one, they, who are convaescinp
are much gra0fed that they can contrib
ute their assistance towards accomplish
Ting this benevolent object. The con-
seriousness Of doing something themselves
Ito relieve their afflicted fellow men, ap.
pears TO afford them much qualification
aud happiness. 1 have often seen verified
at this institution, the remarks Of the il
lostrious 2inel, the author Of the presen
improved mode oftreating insanity. q
have no where met,' he says, excepting
in romances, with fonder husbands. more
kafectionate parents, more impassionec
sllovers, more pure and exalted patriots, Tol
more disimerested philanthropists. thar
in the Iunatic asylum, during their inter
walls of calmness and reasop.
II is one object, with those who have
1 the care of patients, to keep most of them
every moment, pleasantly occupied during
4 the day !; which will almost ceratiniy pro
!. lcure rest aud sleep at night. For thi
! purpose, they are furnished with book
and several Of the newspapers and period
lIcals Of the day Our male patients, be
sides being employed in the garden, o
e The farm, aud about the premises, max
:. frequent excursions on foot and not ur
e frequently 60 several miles for the pul
9 pose Of fishing, procuring fruit, nuts. or /
lt1see some natural curiosity They are a.
Q 50 iuInlshed with the usual amusement
Ie provided at our best establishments. The
~ play at chess, backgammon, drauoht