Washington sentinel., 1855-01-07
Rotal anS psrsonal.
national Hospital for the Insane.-Dr c. H.

(situated in the District of Columbia) IN his re-
port to the Secretary of the Interior, dated the
first of October, proposed that it should enter upon
its sphere of duties and results at the commence
ment of the present year, by then receiving, Tor
custody and treatment, the patients belonging TO
the District, who have been for some time past
under the care of the Maryland Hospital and
Mount Hope Institution, in Baltimore. Early in
the last season il was designed TO open the build
ing for the reception of patients, but il was found
that it would be necessary, in order 10 do so, 10
resort 10 temporary and somewhat expensive
fixtures for cooking, washing, and lighting.
Ifthe means at the command ofthe Department
OF the Inferior for the completion Of the present
edi6ce prove sufficient for that purpose, the whole
Of il may be in readiness for occupation on the
thirtieth OF June, 1855, and will accommodate
eighty.fve patients, with the usual proportion of
officers, attendants, and servants.
The superintendent learns that there are now
twenty insane persons belonging TO the army and
navy establishments, an j pported by the Gov
ernment, in various places and ways; and fifty
three INDECENT insane in the two Baltimore insti-
tutons, also supported by the Government; and
that there are eleven insane persons detained in
| the United States jail in this city There is no
practicable means Of ascertainng the exact num-
Der of private PATIENTS treated either privately or
in institutions abroad; but if ten should not be
considered as too large number 10 cover all
classes and persons, other than those specially
enun Grated, it will be perceived that there are al
this time no less than ninetyfour unfortunates
actually in hospital, jail, and private custody, who
will be entitled to the benefits of this institution
according 10 the designs of Congress, as indicated
by the terms of the original appropriation author
izing its establishment.
DIR. Nichols says eighty per cent. of the recent
cases not suffering from any form of incurable
organic disease, recover when treated for sun
cient length oftime in our best public institutions
| and about fifty per cent of all the admissions are
restored, while of all treated privately, or con-
signed 10 jails and poor-houses, less Than ten per
| cent. recover. The ,nsane are onen long-lived; (;
| and, whatever may have been their circumstances
al the outset, if the case proves protracted and
| ncurabe, they sooner or later, in large proper
tion Of cases, become public charges. II what Is
here stated be correcl, it follows that forty per
| cent. Of all who experience an attack Of insanity
are transferred from the position of burdens upon
a community to that of its joint producers and
| aids, by the timely application of the most en-
lghtened and liberal means for their restoration.
The superintendent suggests an appropriation
of $2S,S20, for tthe support Of the insane and
| other purposes.
The bill "to organize an Institution for the In
sane in the District of Columbia" mot yet acted
upon by Congress, submitted by the Secretary OF
| the IneriorJ provides, "the order of the Secre-
| tary Of War and that of the Secretary ofthe Navy
shall authorize the superintendent 10 receive in
sane persons belonging 10 the army and navy re-
specvely, and keep them in custody till they are
cured, or removed by the same authority which
ordered their reception; and that all INDECENT in.
sane persons residing in the District Of Columbia
at the time they become insane shall be entitled TO
the benefits of the institution, and shall be admit
ted on the authority of the Secretary OF the lnte
rior, which he may grant after due process of law
showing the person 10 be insane and unable TO
support himself, or herself, and family, Tor them
selves, if they have no family under the vista
ton OF insanity"
Eighth of JanuaTy.-The Senate, in view
of the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans,
has adjourned over until Tuesday, and the House
of Representatives, yesterday, followed the pa.
| triotic example.
There is 10 be no regular celebration of the day
| by the Jackson Democratic Association, as here.
| tofore; no displays of eloquence at the festive
board no provision Of " fat things and ardent
| liquors, and consequent glorifcation, and -
headaches the next morning at least, not through
the influence of that political organization.
Of &c old xrill
be in session during the day. TO further their plans
long since formed, to procure additional bounty
land m the General Government. This is so
lici asa "matter Of justice !" but the little BIZ Of
SOIL la our opinion, is scarcely worth the attendant
trouble and even should Congress yield TO the
Importantly in consideration alone of the impor.
iant services rendered by the cold soldiers" at
the period Of the ceuntry's greatest need-and at
same time TO protect their ovn fTesidss~ihe
grant TO them Of a few more acres Of land taking
into account the cheapncss OF the article, will
show that fighting patriotism is not solely 10 be
rewarded by the plsudits Of grateful people, but
measured by the rod and compass of the sur.
veyor.
II is due to some Of the "old defenders" TO say
that they do not care about wild land but desire
10 be placed on the pension roll for iife
Smithsonian Leetures.-Professor Asa Gray,
M d., ofHarvard University, will deliver course
Of lectures on Vegetation" on Monday Wed.
nesdsy, and Friday evenings, commencing jan
uary Sth, at "A o'clock. The following is the pro-
gramme OF lectures for the first week&
/. Development, from the Scotland from Buds,
Root, Stem Leaves.
2. Continued-Aeria, Ephphytic, and Paras-
tic Vegetation.
g. Morphology Of Branches, Subterrsnean Vege-
tstion, Adaptation Of Bulb-besring Plants and the
like TO regions subject to season OF drought; Of
Forests and the like 10 regions Of equitable disri.
button Of rain; Anatomy and Action Of Leaves.
Private Claims.--IIeretofore, much complaint
has been made against Congress for their delay in
acting on private claims. We have no doubt that,
oftentmes the censure was deserved However