The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-05
THE INSANE.

If there be class of our own fellow beings that
any other, it is that of persons vino have been
deprived of the lights of reason. 1t is in regard
to his intelligence that man stands at the head
of creation and is emphatcally its lord. De
prived of his intellectual faculties he becomes
one among the most helpless of Gods creatures,
and claims at the hands of those who retain
those powers an object of the deepest sympathy
and commisseraton With corporeal energies
that bear no comparison with those of many
other members of the animal kingdom, to which
he would necessarily fall prey were he not
protected by the high endowments Of mind that,
whilst they grace his nature, enable him TO di-
rect and give effect to the brute strength by
which they are surrounded. Entertaining such
sentiments, it may well be supposed that we
view, with peculiar interest, all charities, the OBJ
iect of which is to ameliorate the condition of
the victims of mental alienation. To soothe their
feelings and impart to them all the comforts of
which their miserable condition is susceptible,
is with us darling object, and consequently we
feel pleased whenever occasion offers to enlist
public interest in their behalf. In looking over
the last Philadelphia Inquirer our attention
was favorably attracted by an editorial article
the subject of which is the present condition of
the Pennsylvania Hospital of the insane. De-
scribing this institution, that paper says:
"The first patient admitted on the lh of the
second month, 1852 and between that time and the
10th of the third month"; I84l when persons afflicted
with mental arrangement ceased to be received into
the Hospital in the city-thirty-eigh thousand four
hundred patients had received the benefits OF lis care
Of these four thousand three hundred and sl1ty-six
were insane one thousand four hundred and ninety
three of whom restored to their families perfect
ly cured-nine hundred and thirteen were discharged
| improved-nnc hundred and ninety-hve were reinov-
| ed by their friends without material improvement
| two hundred and forty six eoPed-slx hundred and
ten died-nncty- three transferred to the new
Hospital and sixteen retained in the city, waiting the
completion of the detached buildings OF the sc, 400
patients mentioned above, no less than twenty thou
sand eight hundred and five were received and sup
ported without charge Of any kid.
"The new buildings which constitute the present
Hospital are located nearly two miles west of the city
between the Westchester and Haverord Roads. The
cornerstone laid the 22d of June, 1886 and
the work sufficiently completed for the reception
| of patients on the first day of lS41 The valious
structures are spacious and every way suited to
the benevolent objects in view. The total number OF
rooms is 204 all of which warmed by hot air fur
naces The farm occupies about ii acres; about Al
Of which, Immediately around the Hospital, APP
propriated as vegetable garden and the pleasure
ground of the patients. 1t is surrounded by stone
wall TO- feet high In the front Of the main building
is beautiful lawn, and the peasureground contains
groves fitted up with seats, which the favore re-
sorts of the patients during warm weather. All class
es of insane persons admitted into this Asylum,
upon the payment of reasonable rate Of board Idi-
OTIS however, not received, and for the epileptic
special agreement should be made. The lowest
charge for residents of Pennsy lvania is three dollars
and fifty per week, and for those out fthe State
five dollars per week.
"There is free list however, which generally en-
braces from 100 to 100, about one-fourth of whom
are insane No person about the hospital, except the
officers, knows who are free patients The Govern
ment is invested in board of twelve managers, who
are elected annually by the contributors. There is
rather less than attendant to every six patients
The employments, amusements and remedial means,
appear to us altogether appropriate. In fine wealth
er large number of the patients take exercise IN the
open air, while have permission to visit the city
and neighborng institutions. The library contains
about 700 Volumes and pamphlets and newspapers
are eagerly sought for. The hospital possesses two
! pianos and one harmoncon During the year l94l
the admissions were l76; discharges or deaths, 81 {;
remaining, u.s."