Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-12-23
WEARING OUT AND RUSTING OUT.
Reliable statistics clearly prove the

tie majority of the inmates OF our Lu
natic Asylums are from the ranks of those
whose daily employment is mental rath-
er than physical. We find some very
interesting facts and figures relating to
this subject in an old number of the n
Y. Mirror, the substance of which we
condense below. The managers of the
New York State Asylum at Utica state
in their last annual report that more than
one-half of the patients under treatment
at that institution have been unaccus
toned to any regular mental employ mem
During the year 1856. 247 patients were
admitted. OF these, Al were farmers,
90 were farm laborers, were laborers,
go were housekeepers, 90 were Engaged
in housework, and 9 as seamstressxs;-
total out of 947 inmates, 163. On the
other hand. the classes characterised by
the greatest mental activity furnish the
fewest number Of patients. In the Uti-
ca Asylum there were but two mer-
chants. four teachers, three physicians,
FIVE lawyers and one editor.
A table of English statistics of insan-
ity is given, showing corresponding
result. Twelve non-agricultural dis
tricts, containing population of 4. 493,-
1874, had total OF 3,9lO insane persons,
or one to every 1900; while in twelve
agricultural counties, with a population
of 2, OLE, 979, the total number of insane
persons was 1896, a proportion of one
lunatic to $50 sane. Another curious
fact shown by English statistics, is that
while in the agricultural districts the
idiots were considerably less that the lu-
natics, in the rural counties the idiots
were to the lunatics as to 5. The in
vestigations made by the Swedish Gov
ernment into the condition of the insane in
Norway further corroborate the statement
that insanity prevails to greater extent
in rural than in urban districts. We
give the Mirrors conclusion drawn fro
its statements which we have condensed
above:-
So there is not only truth in the home
ly adage. "Better Wear out than Rust
OUT" but it is true also that the intellect
rusts out more rapidly than it wears out.
The agriculturalists of the rural districts
of England contribute more inmates to
the public lunatic asylums, than the toll
worn artizans of Manchester and Liver
pool, who live in the great centre of &C
tivity and civilization.
Without presuming to solve this prob
lem in all its bearings, task which be-
longs properly to medical men, the fact
we think stands out plainly that insanity
proceeds more frequently from mental
torpidiIy than mental activity, and that
isolation and a derth of social inter-
course are two leading causes Of mental
ruin. The proportion of lunatics is
greater among women than among men;
greater among house keepers than in
factories; greater in isolated rural dis
tricts than in the crowded thoroughfares
of cities. Our farmers should learn to be
gregariOus and gay: they should shun
solitude as they would the plague;
should seek society, the pleasures of So
cial intercourse, and even the levity of
city life. Gas iron weareth iron. so
man sharpeneth the face of his friend"
-Sandusky Register.
LIVING IN HEARTs.-It is better to
live in hearts than in houses. A change
of circumstances or disobliging land
lord may turn one out of a house to
which he has formed many attachments.
Removing from place to place is with
many an unavoida ble incidentof life. But
one cannot be expelled from true and low
ing heart save by his own fault, nor yet
always by that, for affection clings te-
naciously to its object in spite of Hide
sert. but 60 where he will, his home re-
mains in the hearts which have learnt TO
love him; the roots of affection are not
torn out or destroyed by such removals.
but there remain fixed deep in the heart,
clinging still TO the image, that object
which they are more eager again TO
clasp. When one revisits the home of
his childhood, or the place of his happy
abode in his life's spring time, pleasant
as it is To survey each familiar spot, the
house. the garden. the trees planted by
himself or by kindred now sleeping in
the dust There is in the warm grasp of
the hand, in the melting of the eye, in
the kind and ear nest salutation, in the
tender solicitude for the comfort and
pleasure Of his visit, delight that no
mere local object of nature or art, no
beautiful cottage, or shady rill, or quiet
grove. can possibly bestow. To be re-
to be loved, to live in hearts,
that is one solace amid earthly changes
this is a Joy above all the pleasure of
scene and place. We love this spiritual
home feeling-the union of hearts which
death cannot destroy; for it augurs, if
there be heart-purity as well as heart
affection. an unchanging and imperisha.
bic abode in hearts now desr.-Chris-
tain Treasury.