Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-07-03
From the Richmond Wing.
TRIP TO sTAUNToN-THR ASYLUM.

| TRIP TO sTAUNTON-THR ASYLUM
I lie who may have CHANGED to see a Lunatic
Asylum under the .7ncient Regime, 90 years apo,
even when humanity presided over its admins
tratlon, and has not kept pace with the improve
inents since introduced by science and conformi-
~ to nature, would be equally amazed and de-
lighted to visit that at Slaunton; and his heart
would swell with gratitude to the Divine Being
who has permitted the discovery of SO many new
methods for allevalng human misery. and for
making 1t manifest in them all, that goodness
and mercy are still the controlling principles of
his legislation.
The clanking of chains, and the sound of the
lash, once familiar sounds in the interior of all
Asylums OF the Insane, and the shrieks of the
sufferers are no longer heard. Ducking is BAN
ished, and the terrific strait Jacket most dreadful
OF all, to see which imposed is a spectacle of
irlghtu suffering, TO be forgotten by those
who have witnessed il.
Hentleness has succeeded to force kindness to
lhose already under the heaviest of all Affections
10 personal torture, persuasion to terror The
moral treatment in short has completely sup
planted that OF violence, except in cases where
confinement is indispensable to the safety of o.
,hefs, from the unmanageableness of the patient
ny mider methods, and then it is resorted 10, not
as means oS core, hut as n preventive Of mis-
chief. The 'athd Is now addressed, not the body
IL is no longer 0arbaronsly and ignorantly ina
gined that Reason dethroned is to be restored to
her seat by Chains, or stripes, or ducking.
This new system is thus described by Dr.
StnblIng, the Physician and Superintendent of
the Asylum, In his report of 1874 msg to
whom humanity and his native State owe weight
OF gratitude; hero and conqueror-a hero
VINO has waged war against the direst calamity
which can assail his fellow-beings-a conuueror
who has compelled by the arms of his science,
even the fierce powers of Insanity 10 acknow-
ledge his superiority. Such man is treasure
to ms country, and better deserves Immortality
man all the butchers OF their race who ever ex-
listed.
Dr. Strbing says (page %, and let us add
that the extract is of great nlerest)
"For the information of such as may not have
seen our former reports, we will remark, that the
system OF mora! means In operation here, is de-
signed TO embrace whatever ingenuity can devise
or art con'rive to employ and amuse the afflicted
inmates.
Labor constitutes the chief source OF advantage
under this head, both to males and females the
former being employed in cultivating and mprov-
ing the farm, beautfying the grounds, cutting
wood, building fences, &c. &C.; and the latter
IN sewing, knitting, embroidering, house-work,
&c. &c.
AS sources of amusement, great variety of
musical instruments is supplied, such as the pia-
no, harp, guitar, vions, flutes, &c.,--and in adj
dillon, number of games are provided, as cards,
backgammon, chess, drafts, nine pins, the praces,
Oattledoor, domlnOs, &C., in some one or all of
which many of the inmates become proftably
Interested
Exercise in the open air is considered an i'm
portant auxiliary, both to the health and comfort
oil The patient, and even those who do not Iabour
are encouraged to avail themselves of every op-
Portunity, for thus acquiring benefit. The fe-
males not only ride frequently in the carriage,
but when the weather will permit, take long
walks in groupes, accompanied by the attendants
The males take frequent excursions for miles into
the country, in pursuit of health and pleasure;
and to such an extent is this system pursued,
that not unfrequcntly during the pleasant months,
out OF from 20 to 40 patIents only about 20 are
to be found at one time in the buildinps--nany
/ of those thus exercising requiring no superb.
sion, and none are subjected any other restraint
than that imposed by the eye of an attendant
! As an evidence of the selfcOnrol exercised by
| the insane, when encouraged by being confded
| n treated with kindness and respect and as
sured that their privileges depend for the most
| part upon their department., we may mention the
fact, that although during the past year many Of
our patients have been permitted TO visit the town
! frequently for the purpose Of attending church.
calling on acquaintance, listening 10 debates,
political and legal, and frequenting places of a.
musement; unaccompanied except by each o.
!
peace, no violations of good order, no breach Of
decorum, but on the contrary are gratfed to be-
lieve, that the indulgence thus granted, has,
without molestation 10 the citizens, been greatly
instrumental in restoring TO health Of body and
mind, many Of those who have left Us for their
business and their homes.
A considerable number Of the patients occupy
portion of their time in corresponding by letter
with their absent friends. and when deemed pru-
dent by the Superintendent, in writing essays
upon some scientific, literary or political subjects.
Daring the past year debating society was par
TALLY organized, and mock court established,
both Of which constituted sources Of interest and
benefit.
About eighty volumes, comprising chiefly bio
graphical and historical works, have been added
during the year to library, previously attractive
and valuable, and no employment has been en-
gagged in BY the inmates with greater alacriy, Or