Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-07-03

oo,he lew vi theih nave restricted themselves
the bible and religious newspapers; and tn
means OF qualification in this latter respect hav
been generously provided them by the editors {
such papers in this and other States. By far III
greater portion, however, have manifested fond
ness tor reading of a more miscellaneous charac
ter; and In addition TO the means afforded thes
6y our library. we are indebted for many favour
IN the form Of periodicals., pamphlets, tracts an,
newspapers, to our felow-citizens in various sec
lions OF the Commonwealth"
How much better than blows and chains and
ducking and solitary confinement in which III,
soul devours itself! How much more rational
How much more Philosophical! And, God be
| praised, how infinitely more effective, In CON
trast with the simplicity and nationality of the
moral system If treatment, we have seen (thoupl
years ago and under the superintendent of as
humane man as ever lived,) the wretched in.
mates OF an Asylum, such as were considered
not mischlevous, or were not groaning in chains,
| or pouring forth frantic rawlings and imprecations
In their cells, drawn out for air into narrow and
hlthy enclosure, hardly fit for beasts. Unuttera-
Die woe or deep despair, or the oblieraton of all
intelligence sat in their faces. Not blade of
grass salued their eyes high wall excluded
all view of the face Of nature, and almost the
sweet breath Of Heaven. The evidences of
imprisonment. grated windows, and unscalable
walls, greeted them on every hand. 1t was a
dertul that any who ever entered that dreadful a.
bode emerged with restored intellects. 1t an
peared TO us that the inscription which Dante
places over the portals of He'll was suitable there
-"Hope enters not here" Yet, we repeat, the
Superintendent was the most humane of men,
Such was then the system and no other was
known. Let us triumph in the change and offer
up country's thanks to the "wise Physician"
who has been so instrumental in ef[ecting it.
We need not state that the moral system of
treatment has been as efficacous in the restora-
ton of reason to the patient as il has been to his
personal comfort and happiness. Surprising sue
cess has followed and still follows it. We wish
we could enter into details, and follow DR.. Strib-
ling through his various luminous reports to tie
General ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS which ought to be
circulated over Europe: But our limits will not
allow us that qualification.
We passed with pleased establishment in his
company through the extensive buildings of the
Asylum. We were in the midst of 10 patients,
and but for knowing the fact, we should have
thought ourselves, except as TO a very few, any
where else. 1t was Sunday, and DR.. Strbing
had not long before performed divine service for
the benefit of his extensive family, for he is their
pastor as well as physician. They wore sub
dued, but yet serene and for the most part, ham
ply countenance. Their affection for him appear
ed coordinate with their respect, and his inlu-
ence not extorted by authority or terror but the
voluntary tribute of love and respect, unbounded
The order and cleanliness of the establishment
are perfect. In truth no private residence can
exhibit them in superior degree.
We cannot better close than by an exhortaton
10 the friends of the afflicted, upon the fist ap-
pearance OF Insanity, to lose not day, not an
hour, in transferring the patient to the Asylum
upon the promptest treatment the restoration of
reason essentially and eminently depends. OF
those who are sent in the first year of the maIady.
nine out of ten on an average, are restored. OF
those who are rot sent before the second year.
there is an alarming falling off in the cases which
recover. OF those who are sent after the second
year, an instance Of recovery is exceedingly
rare. Let Husbands be assured that it is most
mistaken tenderness which would deprive his
wife of the treatment which only can be admin
istered Systematically here-and Wives and Pa
rents and all receive the same assurance.
We propose when at leisure more, to make an
appeal 10 the Legislature in behalf of an Asylum
for S'ares, and bespeak in advance, the assistance
of the humane. in accomplishing that object.
which would effect an infnity of good. Those
poor wretches among them deprived of reason,
are now confined in the common iails of the
country, thus adding the pains of rigorous i'm
prisonmont to the dispensaton which deprives
them of reason.