The New York herald., 1845-05-25
The Hospitals nj Bellevue and Blackwsu's
Island, Lunaiic Asylum, &c.

nlahu, Aunutlc Abyluaus oCs
The different establishments under the charge Of
the city Corporation, which are attached TO the
above places, constitute most important item In
the long list ofcty governances, and from the great
number and variety Of diseases that are there to be
seen, form of the most interesting spectacles to
medical men that can be seen on this side of the
Atlantic. The appointment of officers to fill the va
rious places in them, in the gift OF the Common
Council.
AT the accession of the democrats at the late cleo
ton, the usual system of decaptaton has been fol-
lowed out, and the whole OF the medical charge has
been placed under the hands OF DR.. Hasbrouck who,
with his various assistants, manages all the different
departments, and by perfect systemization of the
various classes OF disease, sex, and age, OF the dit
feren patients, the entire machinery Of the whole is
kept in regular motion.
AT Bellevue Hospital they number somewhere
about three hundred patients, besides the inmates OF
yingin ward 1t is spacious and well ventilated
establishment, and the utmost order and cleanliness
insisted on by DR. Ayres and his assistants, under
whose supervision this branch Is placed. On Black
wells Island there is a small pox hospital, which is
now unfortunately filed separate hospital for the
female patients that are taken from among the pri-
soners, and one for the males, both under the drec
tlon OF Dr. Trowbrldge. There are at present about
two hundred and fifty patients from among the eight
hundred prisoners of both sexes and coors, that are
on the Island There is also chlldren's hospital,
for the reception of the little patien<s from the Long
leland Farms. At the upper, end Of the Island,
towards Hurlgate is situated the Lunatic Asy-
INN, which IS most noble and spacious
building, under the direction of DR.. Stewart,
who has at present three hundred and eighty
patients under his charge. Among them are speci-
Of every kind of insanity, frem the harmless,
imbeclle idiot to the raving maniac. The ascenden
cy which DIR. Stewart has obtained over these unfor
tunaes is really surprising he appears to have them
completely under CONTROL and to preserve that con-
troll more by his moral persuasion than the brutal
means that were formerly adopted towards these un-
fortunates in the old fashioned mad houses of the
last century All these establishments visited at
stated periods during the week by DR.. Hasbrouck.
To rehestng mind, visit to these scenes can
not fail in producing serious thoughts. Here may
be seen the wreck of genius talent, and ability, that
might have been of service 10 mankind, blasted BY
the effects of intemperence, and the unbribled Ii
cense afforded to strong passions. Again, there
may be seen the faded remnants of beauty and intel
ligence, that might have adorned the domestic cir
Gle, but for one imprudent and fatal step, which,
leading from bad to worse, finally has left the un-
happy victim to perish in the prison hospital, and
find an unknown and unhonored grave in the pre-
cincts of Potter's Field. The whole of the medical
arrangements reflect great credit those concern
ed in them, also to their predecessors, and show
that in those offices where human life and suffering
at stake, mere party politics are not allowed to
<ark..r