The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-05-25
Meeting Of the Sapsrintendcnts Of Insane
ASylums.

Association Of Medical superintendsnts Of Amsri-
can Instituionslfor the characterization ofthe
Public Institutions at Blackwell's Island Bloom
ingdale, &c-The Causes Of Idiocy-schools for
Idiotic Children-Manner Of Teaching Idiots,
&C., &C., &C.
On Thursday In accordance with previous invitations,
the members of the visited Sanford Hall at
Flushing, the NEST successful If the Oldest private in
stituon for the insane in this country They cor
daily received and generously entertained by the roprie
and physicians Of The establishment They found the
institution in the elegant condition, and under the
same excellent system of management which, in so mark
cd degree characterized the Of their pre-
vious visits, in 1913 and in 1852
From Sanford Hall the Association proceeded to visit
the Institution for the Insane on Backwells Island.
They were conducted through by Mesrs Pinckney aud
Temann, the gentlemen composing the Committee of the
Board Of Ten Governors and by Dr. Ranney, the faithful
and perseverng physician conducting It, After inspect
ing the house they were entertained by bounhfu
past The members Of the assoca ion were particularly
which has taken place in tho condition and management
Of this crest establishment since their last previous visit
In 1852 and the entire revolution which has undergone
ence lS4S Then II was disgrace to every interest
which 1t affected; now credit to the city, blessing
to the unfortunate and promoter Of science May the
enerprsing and humans spirit which now charactefizes
It's management ever continue.
On Friday the association met a. O'Clock for blu.
Dr. D. B. RIM, Of London, appeared before tho associa
ton and exhibited drawings Of the plans Of ventilation
Red out In the houses Of Parliament, in st. Georges Hail.
Liverpool and In the Queens yacht, accompanying their
exhibition with highly instructive explanations and
marks upon the general subject
Dr. GRAY read an elaborate paper upon homcidal nsan
y In which, beside an essay upon the general subject no
narrated the history Of forty homcides all Of whom had
subject treated in this paper was regarded as one Of pre-
nent importance both In scientific and humane point
Of view and to The safety and welfare Of the community
~ large. It's discussion was q ntinued till the as
sociatiou compelled 70 adjourn for the full
hlment OF an engagement to visit the New
Boomingdale Asylum for the Insane. 90 their way
those institutions the gentlemen Of the Association made
hasty inspection Of the Library and Trinity Chapel
much 10 the qualification Of the distant ,ers who
deeply pressed by those monuments Of the wealth.
hberahty and intelligence Of New York
Arriving at the Deaf and Dumb ns tuition at Fairwood
they very courteousy received by the President and
the vice Principal, and conducted the elegant and
commodious new buildings Of the establishment Amer
inspecting the apartments and the efficient Of
ventilation adopted, and witnessing drill Of the male pu
the feel Of the drum the faces Of the pupils
oen being turned from the instrument the gentlemen Of
the association were invited 10 the chapel where they
favored with highly interesting exhibitions Of the pro-
ncency made by six young pupils admitted in October
last entirely ignorant Of the sign language Their writing
correctly, but displayed correct knowledge Of the pro
per Of the articles the formation Of the purals Of
&C. truly s:n SIX Of the older
exercises in extemporaneou composition, in the definition
Of abstract prncpes-each using his own language &c
avery effective pantommic recitation Of Holmes ballad OF
Asylum, where they were politely waited upon by the
Asylum Committee OF the Board Of Governors Of the New
York Hospital and by the resident officers Of the instiu
Of the oldest situations for the insane this country
l authorities have Of late been quite awake to that spirit
OF advancement which 30 sgnay characerzes the hed
Of benevolent enterprise In which labors. Many aud
portant improvements have been made the assoca
passed in beauty and the site is elevated and healthy and
were needed improvements made In the heating
would be one Of tho mos, comor.sSe and elegant es.s
hhmens Of the kind In Ma whole country. Il should bt
ness discipline and attention 70 patients appeared 70 bs
complete and in the highest degree credisable.
A,1 ysos The B9o|i1sdae Ay% the association
training idosc children, which situated In l3st street,
The location Of the school on the upper end OF Man.
haitian island Is very agreeable The grounds before n
are appropriately laid out rhe building a
ture four stories hgh bavrg verandahs with closedbnds
two stories, running entirely round the house. In
the children can play safely in almost any weather On
entering the room where the children were person who
had expected to find rantpg, lighting idiots woid very
much surprised TO company Of little urchns playing
together peacefully quietly and seemingly anectonatey
1t did not seem possible that little GIRL Of good FORM
dark Southern complexion and fiery eyes, who up
the first visitor and stood by the side Of yet slightly
back Of his chair, looking at him kindly, quietly,
could be an idiot Yei such she was. She
has been In the institution eight months. At home
she was so mschievous and troublesome that nothing
could be done with her she could not be taught
anything whatever, nor could she be managed at all she
ohy in her habits and, although neai eleven years
| OF age she had never spoken word distinctly Now
she is Clearly, orderly, obcden apparently quite ine
gent able TO read 70 some extent speaks a. 10 DO
readily understood Speaking 10 the little girl, she
swered the questions With and intelligence.
prominently developed, sa by the windo~, playing with
and nursing little girl. There did 10 be much
the matter with her but her diocy has been marked
a. 10 threaten her with insanity. Mr.. Richards said
che bad been continued under the treatment she
cciviDg at homo that would have been he inevitable
| result She has been In the Institution nino months.
At home she turbulent passionate aud ~ rectly un.
controlable Il was impossible 10 understand anything
said she manests Kindness and gent enes In her
Intercourse and plays with the other children Part Of the
day she drilled In the household duties which abe per
forms with great credit she is also learning read and
CIPHER What she says can be easily understood She Is
II years old. boy accomp ,nied Mr. Richards TO and
from Blooming To question In regard to him the follow
ing answer was gven-"e is pupil, and has boon here
| elk mtbths. when he came he was really paror baby
was passionate and ungenerous he could speak only
two voros dsns,y even bis mother had TO socsk TO him
to- with me- no one supposng anything IL the matter
with him excepting when be speaks s noticed that his
his ambition 10 such extent that there seems TO be
every reason 70 believe that no will II
all the difficulties that have i'm peded his progress SO that
he viii at last be able to enter upon useful occupa
/ ton in life"
The remaining children were evidently imperfect IN both
their merisl and physical organ There was one
dark featured black eyed little girl with half abstracted
half indifferent air, who kept walking about the -four with
out paying much attention 10 anything She has been
under Mr.. Richards treatment two years when he fret
received her she was I" inert a. ant she seemed 10
have no control whatever OF her bodily functions Tho
food had not only " DO chewed and put her
| but was necessary 10 that she swallowed H. She
evnced no desires o. wants, either mental physical
She seemed 70 have no will power and her great din
Guilty appears 10 he Of healthy action OF The sccro
tive functions. She Ia eleven years old She has been
peculiar that started walking she would stop Of
her o~n accord, on set down In chair rise OF
her own will Her habie have been corrected and
| her physical strength gradually improved. There
pleasant looking, sandy haired white aproned little boy,
vho seemed 70 be propelled by a resstless activity,
he wat always IN motion. This the story in regard
him" We took him two years ago ne IL now sis years
old, he hen M helpless infant could DO nothing
whatever for himself, even move about he was no
thing but skin and bones Now you see him, clearly,
| regular and active"
Mr. Richards considers that most OF the children under
his care will become active, healthy and least
how TO AXE care OF themselves some even may be able
10 support themselves One OF the most notice ,be things
among the pupils was their affection for their tcachors
VIII the of