The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-10
Convention OF the supenntendents OF Insane
Asylums.
SECOND DAY.

SECOND
The medical superntendants of the several asylums
for the relief Of the insane in the United States
scmbled yesterday at o'clock at the Aston House. in
solemn convention consisting of twenty representa-
tves. besides the President DR.. Anvil, Of Ohio Dr.
Brigham, New York, Vice President, and DR.. Kirk
bridge, Of Pennsylvania. secretary Several planof
lunatic asyums were submitted, Including one from
Toronto Canada West to which the legislature Of the
United Provinces have granted q large endowment.
DR. Bell offered resolution relative to the treatment
Of violent patients which was laid over on notion till
Thursday when the report on the comparative value
Of the different kinds of labor patients and the
Rockwell, Of Vermont DR.. II. was evidently in favor
Of labor. yet preferred library, means Of
contentment TO the patients rather than the danger
results likely to from the possession Of i'm
plements. which in any paroxism might be applied to
the propensity OF each individual Dr. Earl Of the
Laurie who. to produce subsection, used in the first
instance the shower BATH and in cases of confirmed
obstnacy the douce. DR. Kirkbrdge, of Philadelphia,
in his practice avoided coercion entirely. Dr. Brig
ham, Of Utica, advocated the exercise Of the body
well the mind DIR. Bates. Of Augusta. considered
that the natural Of the mind should be consulted
while apportoning the labor while Drs. Allen and
Worthngton. Of Kentucky, advocated the benefits Of
labor. DIR Bell. If Massachusetts,, agreed with the
doctrine Of occupation but in labor, he would ap-
ply IL In reference to the temperament of tho
iunatic patients with implements Of labor. He advo-
Gated the principle Of dvesting patients Of the
would dcsoorc new powers Of the mn9 .%yisps can
ton Ia the adoption Of amuscmcnts. Chess the bowl
ing alley and such amusements arc beneficial as pro-
dneing this tendency, comforting on the mind and
body active employment, DR. Foncndcr, Of Baltimore
agreed with the remarks Of Drs Bell and Krkbridge
but having made experiments in coercion, followed
the system ~ persuasion and Arm admonition To
question whether colored man had not killed two
persons In his asylum he admitted the fact rs having
occurred. but not while the man was employed in Ia
bor II effected by tearing an iron rail from bed
stead. while under evident homicdal impulses DR.
Brigham, 81 the State Lunatc Asylum, at Utica,
considered that the faculties Of tho mind required st
mutation by labor OF some personal energy II dcmen-
tation u atrophy the Is, the exercise Of the
gan- ~ the brain and he ned the adoption of
school rooms The table covered with beautiful
specimens 81 fancy work elegantly carved aud chased
such as paper cutters, salad spoons tooth picks ma
nufsctured by the inmates Of the asylum These
tices exhibit. in their execution, neatness and
finish 81 superior order Several reports called
up Witch elected long and interesting discussions,
such ne the comparative treatment Of hospital and pr
vste practice In cases Of iunaey The report OF tho
Bloomnrdsle Asylum. and another the proper num-
hcr 81 patients for one institute, being sub
poned The report the utility q night attendance
snd locking up Of patients was also deferred in con-
sequence u the sbsence Of DR.. Chandler. A paper
tho subject of detached cottages 90 sAyums read,
and opposed by Dr Bell NJ Semsrve, on the princi-
pie "a their being probably distant from she oversight
cottages The report however after .cmc discussion
vas accepted An Invitation from DIT Watson, for
aud accepted report was read tho relative value
u fuel In heating hospitals which from Its great
length aud technical phrases, unable TO fur
ni.h u was however. fully proved by DR. Bell. OF
somer,iIe. th., 20 produce a ssnatory atmosphere,
either hot water Indispensable. Some other
reports ~ minor Importance occupied the attention
nd deep consideration ~ the convention until three
O'Clock The proce~dng- all through marked
by ability regularity. aud earnest desire 90 pro
mote the yariou. aud complicated subjects of the day
II ga. n improving ocassloa. which the views Of
upwards 81 twenty surerinten dens 81 lunatic asy.
luuas In the union recorded the extent ind usencs.
- their respective experience In the various and con
Acting esscs that came under their treatment dis
eussed their practice recprocsted their theories ana
convincing evidence that, under the constitution
u the United states there Ia everywhere 90 be found
from Maine 20 Georgia, provision suitable for that
class ef human hcinss Who deprived of natures hest
gifts " man can End In public sympathy an asylum
henehs " which they arr, unhappily, unconscious
The convention proceed Tomorrow 10 Flushing 10
wilt The estahishment ~ Dr. Mcdonnell aud. on
their rsiurn, viii visit the aims house BlaekwclI's
Island, Ne.
CROWDED oUr.-The reports OF the annual pro-