The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-03-17

From the sixth Annual Report Of the
Superintendent Of the New York State
Lunatic Asylum, we CLEAN the following
interesting facts.
The New York Lunatic Asylum is 10.
Gated at Utica-at the close OF the last
year the total number Of patients was 472;
23I men and PAL women. During the
past year 405 have been admitted, of whom
2Ol were men and 204 women. OF this
number, 81 men and 81 womsn-174 in
all-have recoyered-36 men and AZ wo-
men have been discharged greatly imProv.
EDO men and Is women discharged I'M
improved, and sc have died.
Large shops are connected with this in
stitution. in which the patients employ
themselves. Tailor's shops, one for shoe
makers. plumbers shop, two for loiners
and cabinet work, two rooms for painters,
and other rooms for sewing, matrass ma
king, &c. Ii has farm and garden furn-
ishing abundant supplies Of vegetables for
the whole household. and pasturage for Is
cows, and hay TO feed them and horses
during winter.
Schools, debating societies, reading aloud,
games. music, exhibitions, &C., are resorted
to with good results. .' --
The finances OF the Institution are pros
porous. The total receipts for 1s48 were
S74, 70S SO. Expenses s6S,655 a.
balance on hand $6,053 10.
The price of board OF patients who are
supported by towns and counties, is 50 per
week, and for the board Of those supported
by their own property or friends. the price
is from Sc so to 81.
The receipts from the board of patients
have been adequate to the payment Of all
the current expenses Of the year.
MASSACHUSETTS LUNArIc ASYLUM.
This Institution is located at Worcester.
From its 18th Annual Report, we learn
that the year lS48 commenced with 1894
patients-that during the year 26l were ad-
mitted, making 655 who have enjoyed its
benefits during the year. There have been
1876 cases of recovery, 80 improved. 48
incurable and harmless. 2 incurable and
dangerous, and 30 died.
The causes Of insanity among those ad-
mitted the last year, are stated 70 be-41 in
consequence Of i'll health-l2 intemper-
ance-22 domestic aiIlictions-50 periodi-
cal cases-74 hereditary--cases arising
from physical causes AZ. The report says
this detail is complicated, and then makes
the following remarks:
"InlemPerance has directly produced a
large per cent. Of the cases Of insanity
The continued use OF alchoholic drinks
produces functional and soon organic
disease Of the brain itself, which is almost
certainly incurable. The symptoms Of
this form OF insanity are somewhat peculiar
"a confused mind. horrid apprehension
of pending evil, timidity and rashness, and
often homicidal propensity. The term
horrors is peculiarly descriptive Of these
poor sufferers state Of feeling. The direct
causes Of insanity produced by intemper
ance are numerous. Much of the domes
tic affection that overwhelms so many fam
lilies is attributable to this cause. Will;
the head Of family is sinking himself BY
the indulgence Of his besotted appetite to ,
level with the loves; of his race, hare
work. poverty, disgrace, and disappointed
ambition become the companions Of tn,
wife and children. 1t would be strange j
their reason should not occasionally b
crushed under such great calamity"
Under the table Of ages, the report says
"The middle period of life sends us the
most patients. A few come to us ate
they have passed the age allotted to man
About one-half Of the cases are married ano
half single"
The receipts Of the institution the pas
year were S44, 406 80; expenditures s42,
4 500 05; balance on hand 81, $40 81.
| These institutions are great State charities
and their prosperous condition and useful
ness are highly gratifying. There can b
no object more worthy Of public munif
cence than the restoration to reason O
those in whom its light is obscured o
quenched.-Cin.G Gag.