Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-05-22
wrsrEzN LurArrc ASYLUM.

dent and Directors Of the Western Lunatie Asy-
lum, presents most gratifying account Of lis pros
peri,y and success. We hope this truly humane
and useful iustitvIion may always continue to be
an object OF enlightened consideration and foster
ing care by our Legislature. We kre satisfied
more judicious treatment could well be adopt
ed for the insane than that pursued in the Asylum
at Staunton. How different now from half cen.
fury since, when poor and afflicted felow-crea-
lures were subjected TO the pains and punishment
Of the cruel and mercile.s lash, and away
dungeons where the light Of day never penetrated
its gloom, and where they lived and died in hope
less insanity. Now they are taken care of-treet
ed kindIy--snd often restored to health and happ
ness in this life, and directed bright and glori-
Gus Immortality beyond the tomb. The Report,
in speaking of the management pursued in the
Asylum, says
We have for some years past described
so much at length in our annual reports
the system of medical and moral manage
ment pursued here, that we cannot deem
1t necessary again 10 repeat these details,
in order to convince the citizens Of the
Commonwealth tia, our hearts are fully
alive TO the sutierngs of the insane, and
our hands ever ready TO do them good
That we view them as our fellow crea.
lures, destined to like Immortality with
ourselves, entitled to our deepest commits
GRAFTON, By the sad afll ction under which
they come to US, and claiming on. aid as
well as sympathy, by reminding US that
Their condition but represents, what all,
whatever their age, sex, wealth or sta
ton. may in the providence of an all.wIse
Creator, be called upon to endure.
We will merely remark in reference
10 the medical department, that our expe-
rience has impressed us with views as to
the utility and necessity of medicinal
agents in the treatmep, Of insanity, some
what diffe rent from those which we sup
pose to be entertained oy portion OF our
professional brethren who are engaged in
the same ben violent cause, VIII ST. expe-
renre has been extensive, aud Tor whose
opinions, in the general. we entertain the
highest respect. Wills. we are free 10
admit that no institute n for the insane
can be conducted with success IN whlch
a iudlcous, humane and extensive course
OF moral management is not deemed IN
dispensable to the best interests Of the
great majority oil its inmates, we are EQUAL
ly satisfied, that IN most cases in which
the duration of the malady has not been
such as to preclude all hope of recovery
from the use OF such means, medicine, IN
some of its forms, affords q mos, valus Bile
aux larv in their treatment; and in many
cas-, S, i; moi only proves Necessary, In or.
der TO render the patient susceptible 10
moral influences. but 81 far as We have
been capable Of tracing effect to cause,
we are satisfied II has often merlted the
entire credit Of the cure.
The patients IN this Institution, who
from the duration of their insanity or 9th.
er causes, are considered incurable, usu.
ally amount to about fve-slxths Of the
whole Iumber-wih SUCH it is not our
custom to use medicines, except their
physical state, Independent of their men,
tai disorder, seems to require II.
The high estimate which we attach 10
the moral department, might be inferred
from the proceeding remarks, even, had
we not expressed, as we nave done, so
fully, our views in regard thereto in for
mer reports We need only add here, that
the great principles of class'fcati n, ia
bour, exercise, amusements, occupation,
Diet. and last, though not least, religious
instruction, are never permitted for mo-
ment to be lost sight of, 10 the manage.
ment Of this IDstiluton-a every means
are afforded, every inducemen. held out
to the patients to avail themselves of the
inestimable advantages TO be derived
thererom.
Within the las, year apartments have been pro
yided for the convenient and comfortable accom-
mediation of about eighty additional PATIENTS
| Three new buildings are nearly completed-one of
them is a handsome thee story building designed
exclusively for female patients. The buildings ave
represented as admirably adapted all classes of
patients in the institution. The Report says the
"Vestern Asylum will now accommodate, without
inconvenience, two hundred and twenty patients,
viz: one hundred and twenty males. and one hun
bred females. And whatever may have been the
defects originally in the plan of the buildings there
are but few institutions in our country. which
nov better adapted to the purpose to which they
were designed
The insane eelored population of Virginia is al
so recommended to the care and consideration of
the Legislature, and If any thing is done for them,
it is recommended that an Institution should be
established distinct from those occupied by the in
sane whites, though under the management and
supervision of the same directors and officers
We are clearly of the opinion that ample Provis-
ion should be made for this truly unfortunate ard
paupe' portion of our population, and the Legisla-
lure will doubtless make all necessary provision
for Them. We find in the Report patients from
Berkeley, of whom reported as Improved,
and Unimproved.
ACoUITTAL OF DIR. SNYDER.
M, e e