The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-02-07
January 81, 1859.


Communicated.
Hospital for TIE Insane.
Mr.. EDIToR-If any of your citizens visit
the capitol of this young and thrifty State,
| let them not go away without visiting the
benevolent Institutions. The one for the
education of the deaf and dumb-the Blind
Asylum--and the Hospital for the Insane
are all blessings to afflicted humanity. They
are all conducted in manner highly cred
table to their managers and TO the State
and people that support them. would like
to speak of all, but can, at this time, only
briefly notice the Insane Asylum. This In
stitution has risen from very feeble and
small beginnings to one of the first of its
kind in this or any other country. 1t is
noble work, doing an incalculable amount
| of good in mitigating the condition of an
unfortunate class from the most dreadful of
all human calamities-a deranged and bro
ken intellect, to which many are hopelessly
| doomed by the Nnsearchable ways of di-
vine Providence. / have made frequent
visits to this most excellent Institution
The Superintendent and his assistant ply
sicians are earnest and laborious men-en-
Enthusiastically devoted to their charge. No
one, am sure, can visit this noble hospital
without feeling that it is an honor to our
State. DR.. Athon is gentleman possess
ING all the qualities of head and heart for
the Office of Superintendent. AS physi-
o;a ba dc z
his profession; his experience in the treat
ment Of minds diseased-his habits of dill
gence-kindness of heart and manner, fit
him peculiarly for his present post. If you
compare the reports of Institutions in other
States with this, you will observe there is a
larger number of patients here than at the
other Hospitals; yet the expenses of ours
are less than that of Ohio, or any other in
this country or Canada, as will be shown by
an appendix Report soon to be published
The treatment of the patients is most
kind and gentle, and their management is
excellent. Everything that can conduce to
their comfort and restoration is generously
provided; the Doctor is a real friend to the
unfortunate, and his happiness seems to be
to do good to those under his care Love
aud kindness rule the entire household
The place of Senior Assistant is filled by
DR.. Henry f. Barnes, who is an excellent
physician, and genuine philanthropist,
well fitted for his position. 1t is pleasant to
see how his good heart and gentle manners
have won the love and friendship of these
unfortunates amid the wanderings of their
shattered intellects. The place of Junior
his place is now supplied by Dr. Mccoy,
who is also well qualified for his Duties
All these officers reflect credit upon the
State, who, in her turn, is fortunate in Sc
curing the services of such men, The
Steward, Mr.. Hunter and the Matron, Mrs.
Hall, are fulfilling their onerous duties with
unremitting fathfulness.
The Institution, as large and crowded as
it is, is insufficient to accommodate all who
apply for admission. There are hundreds
waiting for vacancies to come in. 1t is one
of the most imperative duties Of the people
OF the State to see that appropriations are
made by the Legislature to complete the
North wing according to the original plan.
This would give additional accommodations
for 10 more patients.
There is project | am told, before the
Legislature to build another hospital instead
of charging this. Such an act would be
most unwse. In the first place, to build
another, would cost twice as much as to en-
large the old hospital, The new one would
require complete organization OF officers
and physicians for itself; while the patients
could be doubled in the old institution with
out adding anything Of consequence to the
cost of its administrative corps The pro-
ject of building another institution is so I'M
wise and appears to me to be so insane, that
| shall think the Legislature has been af-
fected by its proximity or intercourse with
the institution, should it pass such an act
But feel great confidence in appealing to
the people of Indiana in behalf of this noble
charity, which reflects such honor upon the
benevolence of the State and to ask them
to urge their Representatives to give the
means to extend the accommodations of the
present institution, till they shall be ample
to embrace every unfortunate lunatic with
in the borders of the State
J. WECHsLER
Minister of the Hebrew Congregation In
dianapolis.
THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OUT OF PLACE.
Some of our readers have doubtless observed
a faint, red glow, which for several nights