New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-05-29
CONVENTION OF SUPERINTENDENTS OF
ASYII-NS FOR THE INSANE

The members of this Association who assembled at
fremont House Boston, finally separated after very
interesting meeting Saturday afternoon, when each
member took his departure for the of his duties
except the two Canadian Suporntendents, DIR. Work
man and Dr. Litchfed, who proceed under instruc-
tiors from the Canadian Government to investigate
tic arrangements of The various Hospitals and Asy-
lums for the Insane IN different parts of the Union.
Tie proceedings of tie Convention viii be published
in full by the journal specially devoted TO Insanity, but
may briefly indicate IN point OF public interest the
following communications:
DIR. LUTHER V. BELL read an elaborate paper on
spiritual manifestations and lis influence. Amer stating
various experiences, nc summed up ms present cOF-
l. That there is abundant evidence that novel influence
power exists through oeri'n persons known as mediums by
. That objects Of considerable weight moved without
human contact hough a. considerable daucen the e1pe-
s. Questions put mentally answered correctly Involving
duce provided the response in the mind Of the ques
toner at the circle.
In no instance IN his experience were correct replies gwen
where the response unknown g. some one present.
s. Replies supposed by the nie,osaor to be correct are
given - he beeves them tue WHOM aervad tn
proved be he gets the responses as ne upos
There no evideice OF any srt existence in these extra
ordinary phenomena have they connection with a
OF being far as bis observations warrant an
The explanation must admitted he beyond know
ledge vel c. rain a1aogs existing between Of
certain ceDge- IN manner Sc would point the
duality Of the brain connected with of tness phenomena
3 Tho uliect il worthy the mid .nvesisafl1r Of all those
whose dut connected with speciality. Whether re-
carded ryccl novelty TleesI read epidemic Of the
mind the subject Immense importance end deserves a
uu,h more respectful treatment than It has g3neFa5 met
with ,
A majority of the gentlemen who took part in the
discussion Of ,be second question concuTed in the
views expressed by Dr.. Bel. No specific action was
had.
DR. Tyler presented paper on Periodical lnsan-
ity and narrated some eases OF successful Treatment
DR.. GRAY read paper the use of anps hetlc
agents in the treatment OF insanity and on Their value
il alaync maniscal excitement which after some dis
cussion was laid on the table, but no decision was
come to in respect to the propnety OF their general en-
poyment with the insane.
Dr. LIToHYIELD presented paper IN respect 20 the
classification of the insane and recommended the fol-
lowing classification.
Hospitals for the of acute end recent cases OF
insanity.
Asvuins foT the reception Of chronic incuable
Intuiious the custody and treatment Of criminal
luuatics
Tie paper was read on Thursday and discussed on
Friday eveuing and was ordered TO lie on the table.
Before the close OF the Convention there were about
thirty Supernendents of Asylums present, and the
meeting aud discussions considered highly salts
factor, ard calculated TO advance the objects o. the
Association, and the proper comprehension OF the
subject