The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-11-25
ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

Insane is no less gratifying to the humane than the
preceding ones. The Trustees and Superintendent,
have succeeded in reducing the expense 10 50
week, or $50 year, ifthe patient remain 80 long.
rendering il, in regard to selsuppor superior to any
similar institution in the country And this done
IN way beneficial to the inmates, by habits Of order
economy, and industry, that operate beautifully upOn
both body and mind. The sanatye results are equal.
ly satisfactory. or all the recent cases discharged
during the year, 80 per cent reported as having
recovered Some have recovered, whose cases al
tho time OF their admission appeared entirely hope
less. The Superintendent mentions the following
case:
"Tn September, 1910, lady who had been insane
seven years, and had apparently passed into de-
mented state, brought TO this asylum Her
friends did not expect her restoration but supposed
she would be much moro comfortable in an asylum
AFTER her admission, our efforts seemed unavniing
The third year her improvement was slow but gradu.
al, and at the end of the third year, there were DE-
cided proofs OF her convnlescence.
"She remained VIth until February, 1874,
term Of three years and five months, and then return.
ed to her family perfectly restored. There were sew.
or eight years Of her insanity of which she now
has no recollection. She continues WELL and he,
mind has now all the energy and vigor which pos
sessed before she was insane Had she been remov.
ed from the asylum, is too frequently the case st
the end OF three, six, twelve months, she would
undoubtedly have remained insane for life"
Such facts should encourage the friends Orlbs in.
sane; and justify, of themselves, the provision made
4 e. IL.
must always require more time for restoration in a
case of long standing, and as the prospect of cure
rapidly decreases with every months continuance Of
the disease under the ordinary unskACul treatment,
economy and humanity alike demand the earliest
possible resort to The Asylum.
But Il 10 not for those who arc durable only, that
the Asylum 10 n blessing Such not restored
may be made comfortable and even happy there al
though under private treatment they would be wretch
ed themselves a OF constant anxiety and sur.
ferng to their friends. Just reflect on a case like
this
ave have in the Asylum an incurabe case of
young man about Thirty years of age, who Ihas been
insane for ten years. lie had been under the Of
different persons, who had made him as comfortable
as could be expected out OF a public Asy um. The
las, year his mother took him home and had him
chained to the floor, being the only situation in which
it was safe for her to take of him; and manifest
ed for him all that sympathy which none but moth
er feels and bestowed upon him all that kind asst
duty which none but mother would perform But
all her Kindness attention and sympathy was m'scon
strued by her unhappy son, and his condition was
made more miserable than when taken CAFE of by
strangers. After remaining in this situation one year.
he was unclaimed and brought to this asylum, about
four months ago. From the time OF his admission
he has article of restraint, has destroyed no
property, has been large in halls, has assisted
on the farm has associated with the rest and now
comfortable aad happy
Or this:---
"Ons case was brought TO us four and hall years
ago, Of man who had been insane about woNO
years. During the four years previous TO his adm',
sion he had not any article Of clothing anu p0u
been Gagged up in cellar without feeling the l0h1'
ence Of any fire. A nest Of straw was his only Uea
and covering. He was so violent that lskeepe'
thought it necessary and applied iron ring around
his mock, which was riveited on, so that they cou"
hold him whan ihey changed his bed Of straw "
this miserable condition he taken from inc c'""'
and dressed, and brought to the Vermont Asylum"
The ring was Immediately removed from his neck
He has worn clothing. has been furnished WIN '0~'
Portable bed, and has come to the table and nus u'
a knife and fork ever since he was hrst adm'',cY
He has destroyed three dollars worth OIL cO'| ~,
bed aud bedding since he came to the asylum ~.
has been most of the time pleasantly and u'''''
employed about tho Institution" ,.,
Many similar gases are mentioned in tins anu 81.
Reports; and Is is In view Of such facts 'hn Il.
tive provision has been made to secure, 80 a "a
Legislature can properly do it, the advantages u
Asylum 70 all the insane.
The buildings at Bratteboro' have oeen NV nt
arged during the last year, 80 as to iurn's'' r
more patients and afford better accommoo'"'
the whole Chronicle.
a., tha TTihune BuBbe'"'