Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1842-06-22
NO. 9l.


contain wafer, few boards upon the floor
with couple OF blankets, no fire, Though
in December, with chain upon every iu-
mate except one, just long enough 10 emu
BILE him TO lie down upon his hard bed.
this vas the picture presented.
1, is one Of The chief gories Of our age.
that this barharous system has, 10 great
measure, been abolished throughout the
civilized world, aud for il has been subsli-
tuted, what may be emphaticaIly called,
the rational treatment. Just fifty years
ago, tho illus,rious Pinel, who has been
styled the Howard Of The Insane. proposed
to strike the chains from fifty-,hree Luna
lies in the Hospila. Of Biceire, near Paris.
After many iruitless applications to the
Government, he was q, last permitted TO
make the experiment, and he went TO the
cell Of an English Captain who had been
in chains forty years and was the terror Of
all the keepers, struck them of and gave
him his liberty. The experiment, of PincI
was completely successful, and in few
days the tiliy-lhee manincs were released
from their chains. Who can conceive the
feelings of the French philanlhropis, amid
lhe oxciting circumstances which surround
ed him! The scencc before him, was
rich reward for his labors; bu, when he
cast his view upon the insane ihrouglIou,
the world. thought Of their bonds and i'm
prisonment. and 'he liberty which be had
purchased for them, what transpor, must
have filled his bosom! In the whole re-
cord of benevolent emprisc, there is not On
incident, perhaps, that possesses a more
thrilling interest and awakens deeper
emotion. II dates at the period OF the
bloodiest of Revolutions, and exhibits, in
delightful contrast. spirit Of mercy and
peace, which appeared, like Guardian
Angel, 10 stay the general havoc, and
point TO brighter and nobler EXISTENCE
From The experiment OF Pinei, dates the
reform in the treatment Of Luuacy. Like
somo brilliant discovery in the natural
world. which dispels all former bypolheses,
and builds up new and Interchangeable
system, this experiment developed grea,
principle. changed the face Of this depart
ment OF knowledge, and furnished the only
basis for wise and successful manage
sncut. But truth generally makes slow
advances. We often cling TO former opiu-
ions Tor no better reason, than because they
have long existed, and he is much misia-
ken who believes itan easy mailer TO break
the chains of centuries. Itwas not at once
that The civilizd world avaied itself OF this
great discovery. We are happy 10 know,
that IN Europe generally, and III THIS coun
Try, The truth is making IFS way rapidly.
aud that The cid system of force has, ina
great degree, been abolished. 1t is mat
Ter for sincere rejoicing, ihauwe are in nd.
vauce of The rest of The world. Our own
North especially has subjected the princi-
pie 10 the (aircst test, and the extensive
provision which is made for the comfort
aud accommodation Of The Insane. IS alike
honorable 10 her good sense and liberalily.
The Legislature OF our STATE many years
ago made heavy appropriation for this
benevolent purpose, but owing to causes
alluded to in the Report OF your Physi-
cIan. this institution has uD, answered the
expectations ofi,s founders. Though il be
true that the patients are treated with the
utmost kindncss and humanity, il must
be confessed that there are some fadica,
defects in our system. In no Institution
has the new principle Of management re-
ceIvcd more hearty approval. The praise
worthy vigilance of rhc Supcrintenden, -
iul! protection against all unkindncss on
The par, Of The subordinate officers. and no
compliant, even of the slightest character.
from patient, is overlooked by him.
The strong affection Of The inmates 10.
him, and The general cou,enlment which
is 50 apparent to the visiter, prove his pc
cullur iilucss for his responsible sla,,ou.--
The enlightened views which have been
50 warmly embraced by the Directors OF
this Institution, should be fully carried oa.
Your Committee feel assured. tha; the
Board is animated by sincere desire to
make II ms useful as possible. and that 10
clior, will be spared TO accomplish the grca,
end OF lis creation. Agreeing then, as all
do. in the principle Of management, there
cannot be any serious difference OF opin-
ion. The only question is. how is the sys-
tenn Of reason aud miidness TO be bes,
carried out! Anxious as we are that tho
suggestions generally, Of your Physician.
be adopted, we will venture brief notice
of some Of them, in the humble hope thai
they may be strengthened in svne,desfee.
The character Of The Keepers is matte.
of fundamental importance, and has been
too much overlooked by us. 1t is mis-
taken idea, ,hu, any Que has sense enough
10 keep Lunatic. The truth is jus, the
reverse: that few have sense enough for ii.
I, requires peculiar combination oflalent
aud character. In our Norlhcrn Asy.ums
great care is exercised in The selection; and
all experience proves, tha, the fate Of the
patient not unlrequenlly turns upon it,
Better is il TO have one good attendant.
than dozen cheap ones. Let il not be
supposed, that loo great consequence is
attached TO the character of the Keeper.
Under the old plan, no qualities were me-
cessary bur the purely physical, as tho Lu.
natic was to be controlled alone by bra,c
force. But il is now far otherwise. We
look 10 moral and intellectual qualilies.--
Ia the language of the Report Of tho Now
York State Asylum, ..none should be cnas
ployed for the delicate aad difficult. task.
an