Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-02-12
WESTERN ASYLUM.

the Western Asylum, with the Report of the
Superintendent, printed by order Of the House of
Delegates.
The Institution continues to be in a highly
prosperous condition.-Extensive additions TO
the buildings having been completed about twelve
months since, the number of patients admitted TO
its benefits has been greatly enlarged.
The whole number i'm the Asylum during the
past year was two hundred aud thirty-six; Of
whom one hundred aud Fifty were males, and
eighiy-sx females. The number discharged was
So; CT whom 25 were cured, much improved,
l Improved, unimproved. 2 eloped, and 81 died.
-Of the 81 deaths which occurred, three of the
individuals had been insane between 90 and 80
years, four between Is and 90 years, three be-
tween 10 and Is years, five between o and 10
years, three between and years, one about 3
years, and only two less than l year.-One of
these last was brough, to the institution sick, and
only fingered seventeen days--the other was a
case Of inflammation Of the brain.
The number Of patients remaining in the Asy-
lum at the close of the year was one hundred
and eighiy-one; Of whom one hundred and four
teen were males, and sixty-sevcn females.
We make the following extracts from the Re-
port of the Superintendent:
OF the two hundred and thirty-six patients in
the Institution during the past year. less than one.
seventh had been insane for period so short as
| twelve months; whilst of the remainder, by far
the larger number had been thus afflicted more
than five years, and many OF these even from
| twenty 10 thirty Yeas. OF the nineiy.two cases
admitted during the year, only twenty-five, or
| ltile more than onc-tourih, were Of less duration
tnan twelve months. We may moreover add,
that at no Time since the organization of the in.
stituuon has The 1umoer of recent cases within
! its enclosure amounted TO more than one-sixth of
the whole. And yet with these gloomy facts
standing upon our records, some of which have
been heretofore presented in our annual reporis
| there are those In our commonwealth who pro-
Tess TO believe that this institution has been chief
ly II not exclusively, appropriated to recent cases
and that few, II any, whose insanity had existed
more than twelve months prior TO their appica-
tlon, are allowed TO enjoy its benefits. AL ne
iiou ("hich we trust, although cannot say
we expect, Will never occur agan.) when appli-
CAMS were very numerous and vacancies but sell
dom occurred, the court of directors did in their
wisdom and humanity require that preference
should be given 10 recent over chronic cases bnt
even under that rule, IL rarely if ever happened
That less than three-iouuhs were incurabic lopo
before their admission.
AS before in:imaed, however, our chief object
In having presented this statement is to shew tn
H'c'ed class In our commonwealth are still neu.
iecied by those IN whose care they arc DURING the
cnraDie stage OF their malady. No fact has been
more clearly established, than that insanity must
DC properly treated in The incipient stages, or
very early alter 1t has been developed, to justify
reasonable prospect oil cure; and il has been as
cerlained with equal certainty, that the remedial
aios' only 10 be found in appropriate institutions.
are In most cases indispensable TO success whilst
nome, with lis associations, almost invariably
operate to the lasting prejudice Of the patient.
Notwithstanding, however, these considerations
nave been so frequently urged in our former re-
ports, we are LETT 10 deplore tho slight influence
'hey nave exercised, and must be excused, for a.
gam pressing the subject upon public attention.
Amongst the one hundred and lifty-eight cases
now In the asylum, who are in all probability
ooohea Tor lie 10 endure the weary burlhen of
femedlleSs disease, how many might have been
speediy restored TO reason, to usefulness, to han
pineSs, had weeks, or only months been hermit
LED 10 elapse before suitable measures were re-
sorted to for their relicfI To their anxious
!fiends who watched with so much solicitude the
HciPient manifestations and early development
Oh uleir mental disorder; who sacrificed SO much
comfort, so much time, so much money in fruit
less efforts TO remove the malady, whilst thew re-
tanned their afflicted relative amid the comnan
ions, the scenes and associations 10 which his
mind had SO long been fainilarized, and who
nave at length, only after every other resource
m
py patient In this asylum to all such we ten
der our heartfelt sympathies, with the assurance
that, dlscouragng as is the prospect before u.s.
we VIII not be deferred from using all suitable
remedies, even though they result in little more
than smoothing the passage of their long afflict-
ed friend to the tomb!
But 10 those of our fellow-ci,izens who aro MT
yet in this paintul situation. we would earnestly
address word of counsel. Determine before
This dreadful disease enters your family circle
(and who can claim exemption from its assaults. !
that so" will avoid The unhappy consequences
which SO many OF your friends and ncighbors are
now suffering, from The fact that thew too Iono
deferred awaiting themselves of the only means
which were really valuable. Watch with care the
earliest manifestations of mental disorder and so
soon as you are satisfied ihat insanity is deyelop.
ed apprse the patient in kind, but frank manner.
oil his state. explain 20 him the necessity for prompt
action, and admonish him as TO the danger of de-
lay. Influence him if possible by persuasive
means 10 yield his consent to be placed at once in
some asylum which may deserve his confidence |
but these measures fall then do not hesitate TO
disclose to him the fact, in firm and earnest !
manner, that coercion will be used Under no !
circumstances resort TO deception, lis effects upon
the best interests OF the patient are TOO often most
Pernlcious, and in many instances affords cause
Tor painful regret, both to patient and friends, |
long after the malady has been removed. Better, !
lar better, use any degree of force, which the oc-
casIon may require, than by false representations
or promises, Induce the patient 10 do that which
persuasion had failed to accomplish. IL rarely !
happens when the individual is dealt with frank
ly, and especially when he perceives de,ermi-
nation TO use coercion, that he does not Weld |
Whereas if he is decoye1 from his home by false
Pretences, and is only undeceived (as is too fire.
nuonliy the case) when he finds himself within
the enclosures Of an asylum, the recollection that
his best friends and nearest relations had deal,
Ireacherously with him. embiiiers his preiudces
against them, and destroys his confidence in his
fellow man.