Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-02-03
N A q 81 10 s-
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1912.
WESTERN LUNArIC ASYLUM.
DIR. STRIBLING'S REPORT.

Physician oil the western Lunatlc Asylum, MADE
at the late meeting of she Court Of Directors,
is most able and interesting paper, embra-
cling not only all the information which could be
desired in regard to the insttution-its condition,
its management and success-but embodying a
vast fund Of information in relation to the subject
generally which is calculated to excite a deep in
terest i'm the public mind, and remove load of
ignorant prejudice, with which the efforts in be-
half of this afflicted portion Of our race have hitl-
erto had to contend.
1t is not in our power to do more than present
a meagre outline of the contents Of this Report,
spreading as it does over more Than sixty pages
of closely written foolscap. But in doing even
this we hope to be instrumental in effccing some
good-if in no other way than by directing pub
lie attention to the Report, which will no doubt
ere long be printed in pamphlet form.
The Report opens with the gratifying annun-
Citation that the year has been one Of unusual
prosperity-ihat the number Of cures in proper
ton TO the rec mt cases has equalled the san
guine expectations, and that the improvement i'm
the moral and physical condition of the ncurabe,
has been most pleasing and encouraging. Con-
tenment and cheerlulness have reigned with but
and Health, "thc rich mans blessing and
tho poor mans FRIEND" has in an extraordinary
degree both blessed and befriended its inmates
The number of patients in the institution at the
commencement of the year was 69--36 males and
33 females. The number admitted during the
year, 53-37 males and l6 females; Of which 80
were old and 81 recent cases.-Number in the
Asylum during the year l22-Discharged cured
l5-9 males and females.-Ded 6-5 males
and female.-Eiopcd i.-Leaving in the insti-
tuition at the close of the year 100. The Gispro-
portion exhibited between the soSoo is owing o
the fact that the new building, which was brought
into use during the year, is designed exclusively
for male patients. similar enlargement of the
Female department is indispensa5ly necessary to
meet the wants of that unfortunate class of suffer-
ers, and it is sincerely hoped that it will not be
long deferred.
Table of the Report shows the fact, as far as
the civil condition of the patients is known, that
the married TO the singe males in the institution
are as 81 to AZ, and the married females to the
single, as lS to 27-from which it would appear
that the unmarried are much oflener the victims
Of insanity than the married-a fact which is cor.
roborated by the statistics of other institutions.
Table shows the respective ages of patients,
which as follows: Under Is, S--between Is
and 20, 4-betwecn 30 md 80, 2l-30 and 40
1910 and So $3.50 and 60, li-G0 and 70, G.
DIR. Siribling remarks that he is not aware Of any
practical deduction which may bedrawn from this
table, and it is only submitted in conformity to
the custom whic, obtains in similar institutions.
Table gives the age at which insanity COM
,.,th Oh
lum during the year. Under 10, males-be-
tween 10 and 20, males and 10 females-be-
tween 90 and %, Is males and feinales-be-
tween % and 80, 10 males and Q females-be-
tween so and 50, males and females-be-
tween 40 and As, males and females-be-
tween 45 and so, males and 9 females--be-
tween SO and So, l male and femae-between
So and GO, male-between GO and 20, l male
Unknown, males and 5 females. This table
exhibits the fact that more than two {. one be.
come insane between the ages of twenty and
thirty, compared with any other period o: ten
years.
Table shows the duration Of insanity to the
present time, or the date of discharge, elopcmenl
death. Less than year, l9--lrom one 10
three years, I5--3 to years, 13-5 to 10 years,
SO--lu 10 10, l%--lO 10 ~, SU,--SU 10 81, Il
unknown, IL.
"Wc perceive from this table, (reInarks the
rePou,) that but small fraction Of those who
have been favored with the advantages Of the
institution during the year, had been insane les;
than twelve months; whilst about MreejourM
had been In that hapless condition for more
than Mree years,-nearly ttUo-fhirds for more
than fire years-alnost t,o0-fEhs upwards o
ten yeafs-and about one5fyM from fifteen e
Mrfy years. When we rtcolect that meuta
diseases, if placed under proper treatment whiis
recent, are even more easily cured than the ordi
nary physical ills TO which the human family al,
subject, and that, if from neglect or any othe
cause, they be permitted to continue, until In,
brain becomes habiiuated to its morbid action
then it rarely happens that Reason soon again re-
sunes her emplre--we can but I've mortified anC
distressed at the exhibition whlch this table
presenis-and was il not, that the insane man
although lncurabe, often displays the krenes
sensiblllties and manilests the most lively graft
tude Tor acts of sympathy and Kindness extended
by those to whose guardianship and protection Il.
is confded; should view such collection O
fellow imnortals, doomed for life to hopeles.
insanity, as presenting spectacle far too gloom,
and discouragng, to justify the anxiety and ef
forts which ain called upon daily by INV station
to undergo in their behalf. But thanks TO the lib
eral and enlightened philanthropy of the presen
century, it has now been clearly demonstrated
that by humane and judicious attentions, the ina