Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1842-02-15
REPORT Of MR. RITCHEY.

From the Committee Education, an relation to es-
fabhshing Luafic .isHitD3. J4pUary -, 1912.
Mr. Speaker The committee on education TO whom
referred resolution of the House. and also a com
municaton from DIs John Evans and Isaac Fisher o the
county Of Fountain, the subject of establishing un-
attic Asylum have had the subject under serious consider
atan aud directed to report
That in the opinion of the committee the subject is
of great Importance and we'll deserving legislative
ton. The number of individuals ah1uug under mental
arrangement within the state of Indiana, shown to be
very considerable hy the returns of the late That
number WI doubles increase with the Incrasc of popuil
ton. Asces and towns increase IN number and as the pO
puatonofhe country becomes dense the which
produce insanity all It's varied forms, will be evidently
increased in force and efficiency. The wrclched condition
IN which many of this class confined sufficient -
excite the strongest ymPathes of the benevolent heart
wherever the condition Is known Many imprisoned
Tor life without the commission of crime, IN some filthy
cellar house, without ever being permitted to breathe
the pure air which should be fee TO every human being
without the privilege of behodng the light Of the
looking upon the face Of nature when robe in her native
oyelne,s, except through some hole crevce M thor
oa,hsome cell howell; deserted 10y those whom nature
and natures God designed he their guardians; denied
the pleasure of hhoIdng the face OF rcud and icprv
ed OF all social enIoyments. Others are permitted 20 run
large and the whole country, often state
of almost entire nudity, destitute OF proper food aud
posed the iurlomency of the season and the storm.
such is but faint and imperfect sketch OF the condt
ot maBv II too If no mean orleil many
once renowned r the brancy # their intel e,t and high
moral worth. such cases such suffering and depGyat
should call forth an the generous feelings Of nature
ali the sympahcs of phianthfopy, all the charities Of
pure relig on
To he deprived ofrcge,n is enough but be deprived
Of proper food and clothing ct the light of Heaven, and
the balny breeze of tie attention 90 friends and ai social
enjoyment and imprisoned in human sly, absolutely
ntoerahle To be deprived BOTH ct all l. iucopce,ab
dclorabe. ANA should arouse within such feelings at
benevoence show themselves energetic action. rath
er than in empty expression. An enquiry may be- here
presented cannot those unfortunate beings who have sn
deprived OF reason be well taken Of, and
cessluy treated. by physicians IN the families Of their
friends relatives, ASYLUM established cvclu
si,ey for the lunstic The answer i obvious they ca-
not \ moments reflection will convince any one that
bier aks of life aud among the poorer class o immunity
In such Is known that the friends Of the uu
nate unatc cannot provide such apartments and oher
things the comfort and safety of the
requisite the management and treatment of such
cases In such impossible for the most skliul
py stefan pursue surh OF practice
~ the diseases Of the mind even m which
occur IN the wealthy portion Of community. aul
where comfortable quarters be provided, the long dur
alton Of such prevents that careful steady ard PER
seyerng medical and moral treatment which alone Is
found successful in Of insanity The friends aad
relatives are unable employ physician who Will attend
constantly for such length Of time Il generally ne
cessary to effect cure the expense OF employing the
services Of a skiul phy sican Cor long ne and
attention, such % bot few families arc able %