The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-05-24
For the CaledOnian.
FACTS FOR CONSIDERATION

oper and thIo ugh the same medium oil commune
cation in the several other papers printed in Yer
to state a few FACTS in relation to the Insane
the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind.
By this time il is, or should be we'll known, that
ALL of the several classes above designated should
through the medium of the Civil Authority and
County Clerks, annually, be reported to the Com
missoners, that they may be enabled to carry out
the benevolent intentions Of the State, by designa-
ting for BeneficiarIes, such individuals, oh
jects Of charity, arising from their destitute crcum
stances, and who would most probably be perma
nently benefited by the aid thus afforded.
How the several towns, or civil authority, have
complied with tho benevolent intentions manifested
by our Legislature will be seen by the statement of
facts.
BY the census of 1910 there were returned of In
sane and Idiots All. Say if you please ,one fourth
Of these Idotc; PROBABLY that allowance is too
large; but we will estimate the insane at 5000
this number only 100 were presented TO your Com
missioners
In most OF the cases which were presented, the
towns asked aid from he State, yet not in all
some were able to provide for themselves, while
yet some, having relatives reported insane, were
unwilling they should be placed in the Asylum
To all who doubt for moment the expediency OF
placing their insane friends relatives, in the Asy
um, and under the care Of Doctor Rockwell, !
would say s'come and see." Here for raving mad
ness, madness, filth, manaces and cords. you have
quiet, co,hing, neatness, and all that perfect free
dom which consistent with safety and health.
Three 6urtbs of tho inmates Of the Asylum are ap
parctly quite happy and at home. They are quiet
Iy engaged in the various occupations most congo
NAL to their habits and situation.
AT party Of inmates assembled in the Chapel,
on tho occasion Of the Ma,ron being about leave,
composed Of both sexes amounting TO so or 60, a
scene of cheerfulnoss, deoorum and strict pro2rie-
~ occurred, which would do honor to any Village
Hall in the State They love DR.. Rockwell n
father, they respect and honor him their friend,
their brother and protector. He Is truly, what
most of the residents at the Asylum esteem him To
be, their guardian angel
While heretofore, and till very recently, asy-
um for the insane, was but another name for a
ni, prson-ho for safe keeping now it s,when
conducted as are those in New England, and per-
haps most in America as well as many in Europe,
| retreat, much TO be desired FOR ones self, or
friends, when reason errs or totters to the fall.
On the 9Th May instant there was in the Asy
| Ium at Bratchoro' IN all about 100. OF this mum.
Der go inhabitants Of Vermont, % only of this
number presented for the consideration Of the
board; 81. the towns neglected to return.
OF those already inmates, IL seemed most hope
full and whose poverty gave them claim were dos
I ignated rs beneficares and ak were selected from
other returns.
Ofthe 60 inmates OF the Asylum, % repre-
scented as durable, ID, doubtful, and % incurable
| Ofthe 81 inmates not presented for consideration
ID were represented durable, 3 doubtful, and 9 in
durable. The length of time which had transpiret
since their insanity had commenced, was, from
weeks to 5 years. in those cases admitted bene6,
iar'es.
Other things being eqnaI the more recent the a
tack, the more hope Of recovery.
or cases which have been of long standing, no
I'M is restored reason and of recent cases hos
OF few weeks, and perhaps may say months, a
least .5lhs may be expected 10 recover. DR.. Rocl
welin his annual report of IS4l remarks, eve al
know how much other diseases yiod t
proper medication at Their commencement, and il
much more necessary in cases Of insanity
With this view Of the subject, it would seer
very impo tant that the law limiting the presents
ton of petitions to one season of the yea
only should DO so amended that presentations ma
consistently he made to the board, or some one {
them, at any time, during the interval between tn
regular annual presentation osall cases, which b
no means should be neglected.
A case OF insanity in a poor family may occur
to day they apply to the town for assisance town
have no souls, little feeling, and no consciences
, the helpless insane is perhaps, Gagged, chained,
conveyed to the poor house. Admit that all
done that can be, in any private family or at an
poor house in the State, still the skill, nor tn
: means used cannot be adequate TO meet the exige
ey Of tho case; from mild insanity the case befor
next NJ arch, the time now assigned to report 10 III
commissioners, becomes helpless, an incurab
3 maniac.
Let the law be so amended that the select noe
! can present a case which should occur at any peri
cd OF the year, let it not be necessary to assemb
1 the civil auhoriiy--a host rs numerous as tho Il
$ Gusts of Egypt.