The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-12-29


regular medication; the result Of which was, that
he returned home we'll in June, and is attending to
his farm com Portable and happy.
In every lunatic asylum there will always DO n
greater or less degree of mortality among the in.
mates. From the opening of this asylum, two
hundred and thirty nine patients have been ADM,
ted, and only eleven have died, amounting TO less
than five per cent. In this respect, shall not
suffer by compaiis on with the best regulated in
stutions of This or any country.
It is now nearly four years since the opening OF
this asylum. We have thus far escaped any cpl
demic sickness During this time two
hundred and thirty nine patients have received the
benefits of the ylum Among these we have
had patients manifesting every condition Of insani-
ty, from the lowest state OF imbecility, by which
he is incapable of attending even TO the wants of
life, 10 the violent and furious mailman, who, rcck
less of consequences, exposes himself to all the
dangers which connected with such a state.
And worst Of all, we have had hose suicidal cases,
seeking every opportunity Of self destruction which
an excited and diseased imagination could invent.
Notwithstanding all tho dangers and accidents to
which have been exposed no patien, has died
from suicide. accidental injury.
There provided :he asylum, the usual
moral means we have found for the benefit Of the
patients, is useful employment in the open air
Employment the farm has contributed very
much to the promotion of the health and recovery
of our male patients 1t relieves the irksomeness
of onfnemeat, makes them pleasant and cheerful,
improves their health and promotes their recovery
Convalescents are more particularly benefited by
it. by rcsumug their former accustomed occupa-
heir air
associations and current of ideas return and their
reason becomes perfectly restored. 1t is a promi-
nent object with those who have The care OF the in
stilutior, that their employments shall be both
nieasant to themselves and profitable to the asylum;
and in this way, to become, as far as practicable
self supporting institution.
One Of the chief benefits Of useful labor the
farm, to our patients, is, that it productive and
profitable. Knowing that this Institution affords
facilities for the recovery Of the insane ct lower
rate than at any similar institution in tho United
States, of its being sefsuppor,ing one,
they, who convaecipg. arc much grntifed that
they can contribute their assistance towards
complishng this benevolent object. The conscious
OF doing something tbomselvcs,t to relieve their
afflicted fellow men, appears to afford them much
qualification and happiness. have often seen yer
Pinol, the author Of tho present improved mode
Of treating insanity. Il have where met he
says, excepting in romance, with fonder husbands.
more afIeconatc parents, more impassioned lovers,
moro pure and exalted patriots, Tor more dsin,crest
ed phlnnh ropists.l than in the lunatc asylum.
during their intervals Of cnlmucss and reason
1t is one object, with those who have the
Of patients, to keep most Of them, every mo-
men., pleasantly occupied during tho day; which
will almost certainly procure rest and sleep at night
For this purpose they are furnished withbooks and
several of the newspapers and periodicals Of the
day Our male patients, besides being employed
in the garden, on the farm, and about the premises,
make frequent excursions foot, ard not unfie-
quenly go several miles for the purpose or fishing,
procuring fruit nuts, to some natural curos
ty. They are also furnished with the usual a
musements, provided at best establishments.
They play at chess, back CANNON, draughs, cards,
quoiis ball, &c. Our Judgments nre dne to
several gentlemen of this village, who have gener
ously pre- cned with a b Hard table, for the
musement Of those who have been accustomed TO
this healthy exercise.
Our female patients are constantly and usefully
employed, according to their former habits and
tastes. They usually ride every fair day, and en-
gage in the various anus ements and exercises of
the institution They employ themselves in
dra wing, painting, chess, backgammon, do
minoes battle door, graces, &c. Those who have
been accustomed to playing on the piano, take
great pleasure in practcng the same, at tho asy-
um Several Of tho female Rpa'ients have baguil
ed many a weary hour by this delightful employ
ments. .. H#
In our medical and moral treatment, we have
pursued the same mild and firm course, which have
resulted in the restoration to health OF so many Of
our inmates In our medical treatment, one great
object is restore every diseased part OF the hu-
man system to its natural healthy functions. A
mong other means of moral management, It is the
constant eudeavor Of those who have the cafe of
the patients, to inspire them with sell respect, 10
call into exercise much self contro as possible,
and to grant them all the liberty consis tent with
their own safety and that Of others. Our moral
treatment is adapted 10 each individual CASE, and
as far ms may be, to the former habits, education,
and taste of the patient Our grand principle or
classification, consists in placing those together,
who will be Of mutual benefits to each other, or at