Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-02-03

became necessary to remove him for any pur-
ose, it was invariably done by tho exertion Of
Tiers, without the slightest muscular effort on
is part. During tho last summer he was taken
0 a part OF the lot remote from the building,
where many oil the patients weie engaged in Dig
ing aud removing earth, and with much difficult
y was induced to hold in his hand shovel
which was placed therein, but no persuasion
could prevail upon him TO use it, The following
day the same course was pursued with him, and |
resulted In his throwing into the cart but single
shoveltu Of earth; and day after day was
the same routine of effort and persuasion resort
ed to and patiently persevered in, with slight inn
provement on each occasion, until he became one |
OF the most willing, industrious and efficient la
borers about the establishment. He is now gen.
EEL In his deportment-neat as to his person, &C.
cupies place among the highest Glass of labor
ing patients-goes regularly to the table, where |
he conducts himself with proprety-rises early |
in the morning, and after making up his bed |
sweeping his room, and bestowing the necessary
attention to his person, is amongst the foremost
at the place assigned for the labor of the day.
lie continues for the most part mountaineering
his wishes by jesture--but occasionally will re-
ply briefly to nterrogatories propounded in regard
to his health or employment. An incident occur
red with him Il few months since, which ia wor-
thy OF particular note. On one occasion, at din
ncr, "Lord Primat," who had uniformly presided
at the table Of the class 10 which he was
attached, was unexpectedly absont-and as there
was some reluctance manifested by most present,
to being seated. until the ceremony to which they
wore accustomed, had been observed the attendant
very properly enquired whether any gentleman pre-
sent would be so good as to olciate in his ''Hiob
ness" absence-when to his astonis hmcnt, as il
doubtless will be to that of all who hear it-this
individual whose condition had long been but
little above the brutes-and who, for several
years had not been heard TO speak, now opened
his lips Tor the first time in giving uiterduce to
expressions of gratitude to his God for mercics
conferred, and in fervent supplcation for a
tnuance Of his blessings"
''Nc. 35 has been insane sixteen years, and
was amongst the first patients who entered this
institution. Her malady resulted from disap-
pointed love-which, together with the fact that
she was young, handsome, respectable, and tCl-
eraby we'll educated, gave romance 10 her al
Fiction which rendered her at all times an inter-
estng sufferer. Those who visited asylum
In It's Infancy will doubtless recOllect young ic-
male, whose slender and emaciated frame, pen
sve eye, plaintive moan, and incessant repeti-
ton OF the name Of him she had loved, must
have attracted their attention and aroused their
sympathios. For many years this poor creature
seemed OF all others most wrctched.--She ne
elected her person, destroyed her clothing. and
disturbed the establishment by her cries Of dis
tress; and such indeed was her condition, that
she had to be confined almost constantly to her
apartment, or when permitted tn he out her hands
were necessarily fastened by Wristbands or some
this state for almost eleven years, we succeeded
some Is or 20 months since, in inducing her to
engage in trivial emp!oymens. winding yarn,
&c. In this way she continued TO devote. by
persuasion, portion of her time each day, un-
til she became interested in what she was doing,
and sought more useful occupation. A change
in her appearance and manner was visible;
her mind seemed rapidly to find relief from tie
burthen of its distress, and her physical system
exhibited corresponding improvement. She
is now extremely corpulent, weighing about $50
pounds; is industrious. useful, conteuted and
happy-and is so free from deusion, that we
think it not improbable she will at no distant day
leave the institution
iA is asssEey Rsfdsas '2 add that these and
place ''labor and employment as first among
the moral means, for the relief or cure of nsan
ty. Nor, with such results before us, can we
ever despair of rendering the l.unaiic, whatever
the duration of his malady, at least useful and
happy-even should we fail in restoring him to
reason"
Those patients unable or unaccustomed 20 la
Dor it is the aim to occupy with interesting
games, music, books, and newspapers, and in
healthful exercise in the open air.
Speaking Of the sources of amusement the Doe
tor says
"Our Library, consisting Of more than 500 well
selected volumes. is frequently drawn upon by
the educated class. The books are read with at
tenon, and often with profit, and are always well
taken care Of, and 2unctually returned Unlike
similar Institutions in other States. we are not so
fortunate as to boast of many donations from the
publishers OF religious or political periodicals. and
newspapers "a deficiency we are disposed to
think would not exist, did they for moment i'm
agine the avidity ana delight with which such
productions are usually sought after and porused
We cannot think that there is less of the milk of
human kindness pervading the breasts Of Virgin
la editors, or that they less able to display
commendabie charity, when objects deemed wor-
thy may be presented, than the same valuable and
liberal class have proved themselves in other Sec
tons of the Union; and we must think that the
neglect to which here aliude, has resulted
solely from the fact that their attention has ne
yer been attracted to the subject.
In regard to Restraint the Repor; remarks that
the great aim is to control the patients rather by
moral than physical means--by showing an inte-
rest In them and gaining their confidence and az
fiction. It's rarely the case that these means
fail of their object; and when physical means
are necessary, long sleeves. miiiens, and wrist
bands, are most generally resored to.
The Doctor again urges tho Court of Eisec-
tors the propriety of employing Chaplain so as
TO secure religious services a regular and stated
periods in the institution. lie regards il as of
the utmost Importance to the conirntmeut and
happiness of many of the inmates. He has him.
self been in the habit ofcoilecting the patients on
al