Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-06-03
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-STAUNTON :-
-STAUNTON :-
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, lS41-
WESTERN LUNATIC ASYLUM.

charge o' two more patients, rs cured, from
this institution, on Saturday. One of them
was sturdy old farmer, whose case present.
cd nothing remarkable, unless it be the sim.
pie circumstance that one whose pursuits arc
so healthful and cxhilarating, and whose
worldly condition was to all appearance so
comfortable, should have become the victim
of spleen and melancholy. But not so
the other case in the language of the report
OF the humane and intelligent physician, re-
commenting their discharge-"it constitutes
one of the proudest triumphs of which the
institution can boast in its efforts to achieve
the noble designs for which it was establish
ed.''
The case was that of lady, who accord
ing to the testimony Of her acquaintances,
had always possessed a mild and uniform
disposition--was industrious in her habits
social in her feelings-and had for many
years been remarkable for her Christian vir-
tues and department. She was member of
the Church, and was looked up TO as shin
ing example of Cody piety and Christian
cheerfulness. About fifteen years since her
physical health became inirm, and for eight
years, although not confined to her bed, sho
continued an invalid. In the autumn of 1888
her health and strength declined more rapid
ly, and she was suddenly deprived Of the
use of her upper and lower extremities, and
her back became so feeble that she was un-
able to sit even in bed-and in this PROSTATE
condition, without the power to use hcr.feet
or arms for any purpose, or even TO maintain
the sitting posture for one hour at time, she
continued for seven long years. Her mind
alone seemed not TO be implicated in the gen.
eral wreck, but continued serene and TRANQUIL,
until some time during the last summer.
Her spirits also continued cheerful, and she
| bore her confinement and suffering with the
utmost resignation. In May, 1910, howev-
er, being worn down by disease, and having
abandoned all expectation OF hope Of i'm
provement, and feeling entirely saneuine that
tho jeys and happiness of Heaven awaited
her release, from the sufrerings which lad
afflicted her in this world, she expressed a
wish Tor death, and finally grew impatient of
delay. About this time, (July last,) her
brain began to sympathise with the general
nervous disorder, and its action became NOR
bid. She now reflected upon her previous
anxiety to die, and construed it as an act of
rebeilious murmuring--and, instead Of stop
ping at this point, as she would have done
at other times and under other circumstances.
to supplicate forgiveness at throne of Grace
she gave way to despair, and one delasion
after another took possession of her mind.
But, we cannot follow her, il indeed it would
be proper to do SO, through all her fearful
wauderings. 1t is enough to add, that she
attained at length to that state, when she was
prepared to say, that any change
abe it what it may, or bliss or torment.
Annihilation, dark, and endless rest,
Or some dread thing mans widest RANGE of
thought,
Hath neverye tconceived, that change I'll dare
Which makes me any thing but what ann
Yet even that poor refuge was denied her
in her delusion. She tho't she could not die.
In this condition she was brought to the a.
sylum during the month of November last
Her frame could not have been more emacia.
ted, and except during her manacal parox-
ysms, she vas almost void Of muscular power.
DR.. Stribling at first hesitated as to the pro-
prlety of attempting to allay her excitement.
thinking that in all probability when that
subsidized, she mus. die. On consultation
with her friends, however il was ayreed
that death was preferable 10 her then conJi-
ton, and she was accordingly ftut undos that
system Of medical and moral treatment which
her case seemed 20 require.
sit would be exceedingly interesting, (rc-
marks the Physician in his rcport,) could we
follow her through the various stages of her
progTess-watching the happy elfcc. Of rene
dles--oh9ervng the slow but well marked
Improvement in her physical and mental con-
ditlon--witnessing the almost irrepressible
struggle which she makes for sels-control-
seeing one deiusion after another unwillinply
release its hold-until we finally hear the ex-
clamation bursting forth from heart bio with
gratitude, "TuANK Con, THAT THERE IS
SUCH AN INSTITUTION AS THIS IN THE WORLD ~
But tbs pleasure must give place to the more
exquisite one of sammoning the Individual
before YOU" &c. ''Y on will be no less as
tonished than delighted 10 find that she has
been transformed into the same mild, intclli-
gent, Christian lady, as when in former days
she was the pride Of her family, and the or
nament of her sect. Reason has fully resum-
ed her sway, and disPolledskpry ycstigo of