Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-10-23
Report of the Commissioner of
the Insane.
To TINE Hon. F. E. woopBRlpcE,

the insane.
To TINE Hon f. f WoopBRIpeE,
auditor Of Accounts:
The undersigned, Commissioner of the
Insane, respectfully reports that he has at
tended to the duties of his appointment, by
repeated visits to the Asylum, making such
examinations and enquiries as the law dl-
reefs.
NV visits were made without previous
notice to the Superintendent, and once my
visit was made IN his absence, he being out
of town on business connected with the in
stliutlon 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 re-
suit Of notice given; but rather to satisfy
the wishes of some residing near by, aud
others at distance from the Asylum; 1t
having been more than minated, that there
was unnecessary severity exercised towards
the insane, that their reasonable wants and
requests were neglected, that they we're
poorly fed aud badly lodged.
From the mos, critical examinations re-
peatedly made, in all the several depart
meuis, embracing the cooking, baking, cell
lar aud lardcr; the wash room, The various
halls aud dining rooms; and their lodging
apartments, there was order and neatness.
There was place for every body aud every
thing, and all were kept IN their several
places.
At the hour of meals, the tables were 4
buudarty supplied with good aud whole
some food aud of sufficient variety from
time to time, TO satisfy all reasonable de-
mands.
Nurses and attendants manifest wish,
by kindness and courtesy, by forbearance
and good nature, to make all happy around
them.
The Superintendent, Dr. Rockwell when
ever he enters the halls, or the apartments
of these unfortunate beings. is ever hailed
as their delivering angel; they ask favors
of him beyond the power of morials to be-
stow Except the Superintendent, none
can fully appreciate the drduous duties M
yoyed an the charge of the Asylum for the
Insane II IS llerculean task, requiring
all the AID winch skill aud science can be-
stow, combined with patence-untIring and
hope neyer-ceasiug.
Careful reference to European and A.
mercan statistics, shew concusWely, that
many, { not most cases of iucurable iu>ani-
", are those made SO by the III Judging of
friends, causing delay of proper treatment.
They neglect To- place them early, immedl-
aieiy, ia a proper Asylum Frelds and
relatives of the iusane should know, aud
fully appreciate the fact. tia, hoWeyet much
wealth they may possess. however large and
commodiou, their dwellings,, that home,
and kindred, and friends the most eudcar-
ing promise no succcs.--they are not the
ht appliances lor the removal of insanity.
Durug The curreu, year, have visited
several Asylum, ior tie Insane IA other
States, Wth view 90 examine their ar
Engagements aud method of treatment, and
without disparagcment TO others, | think Il
must be sand Of the Vermont ASYLUM. Il Is
well managed, and must have favorable
comparison Wilh others
TIE Asylum buildings though much en-
larged from time to time, aud slil now hay-
ing 100 progress and others la contemplation;
yet it Is to be feared that quite soon, further
euirrcmcuts. or refusal toreccne all who
shalt apply, wlli be necessary.
Tac receipts and expenditures IN all their
various departments, are managed with eX-
ACTRESS and economy yet without parslmo-
ny. The annual appropriation of i've thou
sand dollars for the relief of the insane poor.
IS not adequate To their wants. The al
lowance from tie State fund last year, was
a isaciltW less than slNty-nIHe cents per
week, while one dollar aud seveuy-hye
cents per week is the lowest terms for board
and accommodations, leaving a sum of one
doIlar and SIX cents per week to be provided
for irum other sources
CALVIN JEWEFT.
Commissioner Of Insane.
81 T,Lu>hu,v Scot II i-SI