Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-05-20
FROM THE RICHMOND REPUBLICAN,.
w T. S Il ERN ASYLUM.

we have upon our table the nineteenth Annual
Report of the Directors, with the Report of the
superintendent and Physician Of the ASYLUM for
the Insane in Staunton, for 1916. The number of
patients in the Asylum from january LIST, to De-
cember 3lsi, 1916, was 274. OF these l6O were
males, and | Ia females. There were lS2, at the
commencement of the year, and 90 admissions du-
ring the course of the year. Patients discharged
during tho year, 81, of which 80 have Recover
ed, "Much Improved" "Improved," 2s'Un-
improved" Died ~. Remaining i'm the ASYLUM at
the close of the year, 2l7 We extract the follow
ing additional statement from the Report:
''REcovERED:
OF all cases discharged this year, 56l4perct.
Of all recent cases discharged this
year, Sl4S
OF all cases discharged since June
1886, 567S
OF all recent cases discharged since
June 1886. 9O.32
vi all cases admitted since June 1886, $3.50
Of all recent cases admitted since
June 1886, 1921
For all cases remaining in the Asylum at this
date, the prospect for recovery is as follows, viz
Favourable for
Doubtful for %
Decidedly unfavourable, 1877
2l7
The deaths which have occurred are less than
the number reported for 1915, and were principally
OF those WHOSE cases were deemed utterly incura-
BILE. About one forth of the number were SO pros
trated by disease at the time Of entering the Asy-
uIn that they were considered al that period almost
in dying condition.
The Report of the Superintendent Dr. Stribling,
is In the usual lucid and handsome style of that ac
compished gentleman. The excellent Judgment,
and the parental discipline, uniting, in an eminent
degree, firmness and gentleness, which have cha
racterized his administration of the affairs Of this
institution, have been attended by degree of tri-
umphant success which abundantly establishes his
fitness for his responsible position, and the true
wisdom of the policy which he has adopted in his
treatment of the insane
DIR. Strbling mentions in his Report that the a
musements, exercises and employment, which he
adopted some time since for the inmates of the in
stltullon still continue to be followed by the most
beneficial effects Those, both male and female
who are engaged in some useful occupation, are
found to be most cheerful and improve in health
most rapidly.
Among the moral agencies employed for the bene-
lit o the household, Dr. Strblng mentions the per-
Torrance of Divine Worship on Sunday. More
than one hundred of the patients regularly attend
the services OH Sunday afternoon. Their deport-
ment is devout and orderly. Great care is exer-
clsed by the clergymen who oficiae, in so convey
ing moral and religious instruction. as not to excite
the passions OF the auditors
BY the last census it appears that there were
then lO4S white citizens insane and idiotc in Vir-
gnla "Of these, probably 25per cent. are idiotic,
and the residue, viz: seven hundred and eighty
SIX are insane. The Asylums can now accommo-
date about three hundred and seventy five, and
there are therefore than four hundred who can
not obtain admission. This certainly presents
very strong case for legislative action" BY an en-
largement of the accommodations in the Eastern
and Western Asylums, all this unfortunate class
can receive the inestimable benefits of these insti-
tutions. We know not in what more noble charity
an enlightened and Christian State could embark.
Upon reading the Report, and ali others relating
TO similar institutions, struck with one
fact, which ought ever to be kept before the minds
of the public 1t is this: Insanity can be cured as
readily as any other disease if taken in time. Let
the patient be promptly sent from his friends, pain
full as the separation may be, and placed in a well
managed institution, if those who love him would
ever witness his restoration to reason or the 1877
incurable mentioned in this report the great mass
might, without doubt, have recovered, if this
course had been adopted. But even when the
malady becomes fixed and incurable, the patient
will enjoy better health, and a greater degree of
happiness and comfort in properly conducted Asy-
lum, than can possibly be accomplished at his
home.