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

The twenty chronic cases are still here. AZ
hkeiy TO remain, itmay be an average of thrice
years longer. and at further cost ofmany thou.
anus. The twenty recent cases, have left U.S. an
ret"tned IN the full possession of their mental 1;
c"'ues' 10 the embraces of their fricnds-wher
| members Of society.
AN other important fact, taught by this tabl
Is. that single individual, who entered the sy
luin in the CHRONIC stage of insanity has occunie
one OF ITS apartments, during period, which ha,
IL originally been set apart for recent cases. aon,
would have been sufficient up to this date for for
~ oi these to have been admitted, cured, and Sc
at liberty.
'As question Of economy, therefore, leavinc
ont oil view more Important considerations, how
indispensable is it, that the Asy lums of the Com
iaonwealih, be enlarged, as TO afford accom-
inodallons Tor all the insane, i'm the early stare
o' Their disease-and not, as at the present day
nave them consigned to the common ails, until
their nalady becomes confr,ned-at AN expense
too OF alInosdouble that for which they can be sup
ported IN such Asylums-whilst i'm many ihs,an-
ceS, thry are thus cut oil from the light of Iiea-
ven, the attractions of earth, and the society of
their fellow man 20
Table IL exhibits the statistics of INSANITY in
the United States and Territories, furnished by
the census of lSl0,-from which it appears that
the number OF insane whites in Virginia is 1913
of free colored 5S-and of saves 326. No
discrimination is made by the census between the
Insane and ldiots-but from reason, as well as
observation, the Doctor remarks, we are author
led to infer that the latter bear very inconsder
ate proportion to the former of these classes. He
thinks, however, that the number, astounding as
it may be, is still far below the truth. Ii is
scarcely probable that in many instances an indi-
viGual was registered as insane who was not 81.
but it is absolutely certain that many were omit
ted who should have been included. A num-
Der OF such cases, he remarks, are within his own
knowledge. some of which he specifies. In the
county oil Frederick, for instance, where there is
only one individual reported by the census as be-
ing insane and at public expense. there were Ger.
tanly screen if not eight such i'm the Jail Of said
County at that date. "But even on the supposi-
ton that the number has been correctly reported.
who is there that can refrain from enquiriny-
Where are those one thousand and more poor
creatures who have been deprived of the God-like
attribute of reasonl And what is their present
condi,iou?"
'We Know, (romarks the report that but a
Asyiums OF the Commonwealth, and are of course
Ieii To conjecture, as to the location and circun-
stances OF the remainder-:nany are doubtless
winch be J EssSG And al he aeaSH
every comfort which in their unhappy state they
can appreciate; but their disease is doubtless
becoming more frmly rivetted by every days du-
ratlon-and many OF the II, it may be, already
doomed to continue its victims during life-Olhers
are wretched wanderers traversing the highways
or by-paths OF the Commonwealth, unprotected
and uncsr'd for,-suffering with cold and hun
ger-ani exhibiting wherever they 20, AN eXte-
ror but too well harmonizing with ssmind in
ruins" Whilst third and most hapelcss class,
are Iinmur' d In the gloomy prisons of the country
degraded 10 a level with the criminal who has
violated the laws both Of God and man. CHAIN
ed like wild beasts to the floors of their grated
ceils-but half fed and altogether naked-oi.en
writing too under the lash OF their cruel keepers
and In this state, are cut off from intercourse
with all other living creatures, save indeed, the
creeping Vermln which feed upon the filth i'm
which their bodies are incased.-WouId that this
picture were the result of fancy, or was even q
reality somewhat exaggrratcd--but alas for the.
honor OF Virginia, II Is too faithful a representa-
ton OF what many Of this class Of unfortunates
are now suffering within her borders - And
whilst no one could be more unwilling than NV
sell TO do aught, by which her fair fame micht
be furnished. II would surely seem in this partic-
uiar idise dtiicdcy to disguise the truth if lis
disclosure could by possibility lead to the rescue
of single one OF these unhappy sufferers.
mot to dwell upon the cases of some four or
iive individuals who, within few weeks past
have been brought to this institution. from the
jaiis in which they had been lying. some of them
for many yeafS,) bound with chains and marked
With stripes. as evidencing the cruelty and irhu-
manly which is so commonly practiscd-I feel it
IA duty to relate the circumstances Of visit
made IN person, during the last summer, to one
OF these receptacles Tor the insane. not hundred
miles distant from this Asyum-and it is to be
seriously unprecedented, that the scenes there ey-
hibted, Afford too sticking criterion. by which
to Judge the condition of most of those confined
to the lails throughout the State.
'Being accidentally at the place Just alluded to-
and understanding that a number Of insane pcr.
sons were confined in the Jail, was induced tc
Visit h;-bnt more especially, to see one o.
these individuals, in whose fate my sympa,he.
had become particularly enlisted from hearin,
MN represented as genteel yonng foreigner o
industrious habits and fine moral character. wht
had within very short period lost his reason. On
arriving al the prison and informing the keepe
OF my object, he readily rendered his services Il
conduct me to the several apartments in which
were confined the unhappy beings for whom my
visit was designed. 1t is probably due to the oil.
man, whose head seemed frosted by at leas; ,bre
''"' fitUnISti mat MS alp
Pearance and conversation preposscssed me f,
vorahiy, as to his goodness OF heart, and dis
position to do, in behalfofh his prisoners whateve
his Judgment could sanction as being rroppr-al
tho as will appear from the sequel, he must hay
INDUCED the antlquated aud supcrsiilious ides
'hdt the Insane, are possessed with Demons ::
ana 'hence that 1t was more important to confin
and II strain them, than to minister to their con
tort. or attempt an alienation of their aflictior
The hrst cell TO which was introduced, wa