The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-07-23
J. HOLCOMB, Editor & Publisher.

/ The necessity of asylums for the insant
is so apparent, and now so generally con
coded, that it would seem hardly necessa
ny to resor! 10 argument TO render ii more
so. To those who, with abundant means
for their support, have had relatives Of
friends afflicted with insanity who have
had experience in the difficulties which
unavoidably attended their care, be fore
asylums were established; who have seen
The disease aggravated under the best trea
ment which kindness and wealth could
afford at home, rendered hopelessly in>
durable, we need make no appeal. All
who have even a cursory knowledge OIL
the manner in which the insane were for
merly treated, from necessity or the want
of means, require but moments refec-
ton upon their present, contrasted with
their past condition, to be satisfied that
no institutions have more perfectly answer
ed the end of their establishment than hos
pitfalls of this character.
Although painful, we think it not en-
tirely Improbable, to allude briefly 10 the
Ideplorable condition Of the insane in this
State previous to the establishment of the
Asylum. The picture presented TO the
eye of the philanhropst, in his retrospect
of a few years, is sad and lamentable in
the extreme. All the shades of mental
affection, from the mildest affections OF
monomania and melancholia, to The sever
est visilations of frantic insanity, are
drawn in lines and colors thai both startle
and apaI. O.her States had anticipated
US in the establishment of hospitals for the
insane, and some of that unfortunate class
in our State were enjoying their comforts
and advantages, But the number Of
these was comparatively small. The
mass, for various reasons, remained at
home; and it is 10 their condition and treat
mcnt we would now make a brief allu-
sion. From the official report of the
committee Of the Legislature, in 1892, to
whom was referred that part of Governor
Dinsmoor's message relating 10 the re-
turn of insane persons al that time in the
State, we learn that in one hundred and
forty-one towns from which returns had
been received, there were one hundred
and Gig nine persons bereit of their
reason, and incapable OF taking care of
themselves -ninesy males and ninetynine
females; one hundred aud ihree of whom
were paupers. The plumber confined
was seventy-six; twenty-five of whom
were in private houses, thirty-four in poor
houses, seven in cells and cages, six 10
chains and irons, and four in jails. OF
the number at liberty, many had at vari
Gus times been confined; but the prospect
Of aIleviatng their condition deemed hope
less, together with the trouble and ex-
pense latte nding their confinement, had
induced those who were their guardians
10 give them again the freedom from any
kind ofresrant the insane person so earn
eslly covet, In many Of the towns, there
was one or more wandering about the
streets and upon the highways, oftentimes
feared and Stunned; with no one TO cheer
their dependency, 10 soolhe their darken-
ed spirits, or check the rage oflheir mad,
ness, whether franticly directed 10 them
selves or to Others. Many of the facts set
forth in tho report of the committee are
such as cause humanity to shudder; and
those who, for the first time, in amaze.
menl learn them, almost to doubt their
correctness, though perfectly aothentica-
ted.
The committee, after abiding tolhe la
mentable Affections of the disease Of In
sanity, to their surprise at its prevalence,
and at the number who were its victims,
go on 10 say: "From many towns no
returns have been received; from others,
the accounts are erroneous, there being
cases known to the committee which es>
aped the notice of the select men. The
actual number of insaGe, is, therefore
much larger than appears in the docu-
ments submitted TO the committee.
"Where are these insane? What is
their condition? There are individual
cases which, by the kindness Of friends,
able and willing 10 provide the means, are
rendered as comfortable as their situation
will admit. The number thus fortunate
the committee are constrained to believe
is comparatively sm1ll. Many, Iaboring
under an inofensive hallucination of
mind, wander about, the sport Of unthnk.
ing boys and unprincipled men. A large
proportion seventy>six-are reported 10
be in close confinement; some of them ia
chains and cages, made for their conGne-
ment; some in the out buildings, garrets
or cellars of private houses: some in our
county jails, shut up with feons and crim~
inaIs of every descriptions; some are in
aims houses. in brick cells never warm
ed by fire or lighted by the rays of the
SUM- The facts presented 10 the commit.
Ice not only exhibit severe unnecessary
suffering, but utter neglect, and in many
cases actual barbarity. To convince the
House of the correctness of this general
remark, they feel it to be their duty to re-
port some OF the instances 10 which they