The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-11

NEW York STATE LUNAr1c AsYLuM.-We have
before us the sixth annual report of the managers
OF the above institution. 1t Is highly interesting,
and contains large quantity of useful informa-
ton.
1t Is singular circumstance, that, In list of the
occupations pursued by those who have become
insane, the farmers" Preponderate over all other
occupations, IN the ratio of 400 to q. This is
singular. We account for 1t by the following rea-
soning VIZ: that IN this country the farmer gene
rally Is almost as much specuator as stock
broker Is in England. His great object is to make
he largest amount of money in the quickest pos.
slble time. Rem fdcias rect es, possis-s, non.
quoquonodo fac,as rem. Now, when this feeling
reigns In a mans mind, we need not say there Is
danger of his going mad-we may truly say he is
mad already.
The age at which the greatest number of cases of
insanity has occurred, from 20 to Is. This is not
Very surprising when it Is considered that at that
age young men naturally in state of self con-
celt and self-admlratlon, also OF wautonness and
bodily luxurlancy, which is closely allied to insan-
lily. and If thew are not kept under strong check
either the check of necessity or that of parents
they will run into such excuses as will embltter
the remainder of their days.
There Is a table In this report. Of the supposed
causes of the insanity Of the several patients
Amcpg these causes, the most curious is that of
Two women, who are put down as having gone
mad for want of something to do! We think this
very probable superstition but certainly, the
numbers must be considerably moderated. We
are inclined to believe that out of 100 cases of
healthy insanity, if the patients were kept at the
frAo n nil H.
months, so as to have plenty to do, 80 Of them
would become sane quickly, and there would not
be case oflndgestIon or emu, among them ALL
Omitting the cases procee ding from lll-heal,h aud
unknown causes, the greater number ofinsane per.
sons are the religious This cause Is assigned Gre
Iglous anxiety" No one need be surprised at thus
Formerly when religion consisted in a sober, sound
attention 10 performing the whole duty of man, the
law OF God, or the law Of right, which is the
same thing. religion had the effect of making men
sane and sober-minded. But In this day, when the
law of right and truth ia out of the que ston and
religion consists in idle dreams and chimeras, ex.
Cited feelings and humbJg exercises, instead OF
doing night and acting virtuousy towards every
body, is not astonishing that acts quite contra
~ to Its intention, and makes men mad instead Of
making them honest, viituous and seber-minded.
When men despise the law of right, which is the
law Of God, and the true performing Of which is
true religion, they the road to 60 mad, for
hey desPise truth, justice, sound sense and real
understanding, TO follow dreams and visions, and
are already half mad
Under the head Of farm and garden, we perceive
a complaint that the inmates want Oceupation. and
complain themselves that they have not sufficient
bodily labor This is a serious thing, and ought
impe diately TO be attended to. II the necessity OF
Iabor, and with 1t labor we're to be removed from
The shoulders OF men, the whole world, mad as It
is, would be nothing but madness, and men would
Immediately Get to work to exterminate each
other. Only let US re fleet one moment Let
take one city for comparison. In London, above
a million Of men rise from their beds every morn
ing at dawn IF day, to 60 to work-hard work
till evening. Now, take eway necessity, and throw
this million of men upon the town, with their
hands in their pockets, and plenty eat and drink,
on the Fourlerite plan, and nothing to occupy
them, there would not be FIVE hundred people LETT
alive IN London In FIVE weeks time. million
Of men let loose upon London, with nothing to do,
would be much worse than II million OF tigers
were suddenly let loose upon the city. Hence it
is evident that though men cry out against the
Providence OF God, In his government of the world,
Tor imposing such law as the law of necessity
upon society, yet It is great mercy aud protec-
ton to US all. We hope, therefore. the managers
will speedily find something to do for the inmates
Of the asyl uns under their management.
There are some highly Interesting remarks in
this report, upon the causes, the prevention, prog
uosis, and medical and moral treatment Of in
sanity. We can only refer to these observations |
as worthy Of perusal. We conclude our bret re.
view with the following opinion from the report,
Of the truth and correctness of which we have no |
doubt,-
We are OF the opinion and II IL en- opinion FORMED
after much ipsury that there moro in this
country especially 10 the Northern and Ea,trrn states
nsn In any other, ana that It s fearfuy ON the in
crsssen
This Is the verdict OF au intellge ut Jury: and |
he cause they assign for this verdict is no doubt
co,rect;-
Liberty 20 favorable to the v-lopement Of tho
human intellect multipes the causes OF ITS deranss
nrnf Hence in countries where there u the uno,t In
f-Dprnce aud freedom there will f.u nd the great
mental activity, end the most cares OF insanity"