The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-11-26
Report Of the Commissioner of the
Insane
To THE Hon. f. l.. WOODBRIDGE,
Auditor of Accounts


To THE Hon. F. T.. WooDnRiDGE,
auditor of Accounts
The undersigned, Commissioner of
the Insane, respectfully reports that he
has attended to the Cuties OF his ap-
pointnent, by repeated visits to the Asy.
lum. making such examinations aud en-
quirles as the law directs.
My visits were made without prevl-
ous notice to the Superintendent, and
once my visit was made in his absence,
he being out OF town on business con-
nected with the institution. visits were
thus made, not from any belief on my
part, that any change Of treatment, or
different manner Of supplying the wants
of the inmates, would be the result of
notice given; but rather to satisfy the
wishes Of some residing near by, and
others "A, distance from the Asylum ;
it having been more than intinnted, that
there was unnecessary severity exercised
towards the insane, that their reasona-
bic wants and requests were neglected,
that they were poorly fed aud badly
lodged.
From the most critical examinations
repeatedly made, in all the several de-
partments, embracing the cooking, ba-
king, cellar and larder the wash room
the various halls and dining rooms and
their lodging apartments, there was orr
der and neatness. There was a place
for everybody and every thing, and all
were kent in their several places.
At the hour Of naale. the tables we're
abundan'ly -uppl:ed with good and
wholesome food, and os sufficient vsfe-
ty from Time to time. to satisfy all rea>
sonable demands.
Nurses and attendants manifested a
wish, by kindness and courtesy, by for
bearance aud good nature, to make all
happy around them.
The Superintendent. Or. Rockwell
whenever he enters the halls. or the a
partmen,s Of those unfortunate beings,
is ever hailed az their delivering angel
they ask fayors of him beyond the pow.
er of mortals 20 bestov. Except the
Superintendent, none can fully sppreci>
ate the arduous duties involved in the
charge Of the Asylum for the Insane
Ia is a Herculesn task, requiring all the
aid which skill aud science can bestow
combined with patience uniting and
hope never ceasing.
Careful reference to European and
American statistics, show coHclusivciy,
that many, If not mort cases OF ncura-
bic INSANITY, are those made so by the
ill-judging of friends, causing delay Of
proper treatment. They neglect to
place them early, Immediately, in a
proper Asylum. Friends and relsiives
of the insane should know and fully ap-
preclate the fact, that however much
wealth they may possess, however large
and commodious their dwellings, that
home, aud kindred, and friends the most
endearing, promise no success-ihey
are not the fiji applicants for the remov'
al of insanity.
During the current year, | have vls'
tied several Asylums for the insane II
other States, with view TO examine
their arrangements aud method of treat
ment, and without dispnragement to 9th
ers. | think it must be said Of the Yer
mont Asylum, it is well managed, ant
must have a favorable comparison wit!
Others.
The Asylum buildings though mucI
enlarged from time to lime, aud s'il
now having in progress and others il
> contemplation yet ii is to be ieare
that quite soon, further engagements
: or a refusal to receive all who snail ap
ply, will be necessary.
The receipts and expenditures in a
their various departments, are manage
with exactness and economy. yet with
on, parslmony. The annual appropri'
ton of five thousand dollars for the re
lief of The insane poor, is not adeqnat
: to their wants. The allowance from ii
: State fund last year, was a fraction LEI
Z than sixty.nine cts. per week, while OF
dollar and seyenty-hve els. per week
;, the lowest terms for board and accon
Is modatlons, leaving a sum of one doll
i aud six cents per week to be provide
u for from other sources.
l. CALVIN JEWETT,
'e Commissioner of Insane,
VI ST. Johnsbury, Sept. IL, 1851.
is MOVEMENT AT WAsnINGToN.-lt 1t