The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-03-12
N. G. INSANE ASYLUM.

We have received the Report of the President
and Directors and Superintendent of the Insane
Asylum for the years 1859 and 1850 From the
Report of the Superintendent, DIR Fisher, we learn
that the number of patients received in the Asy-
um during the yea. ending Nov. 1, 1860, was rs
so males and 26 females. The whole number
under treatment during the year was 252. Of
this number p recovered their senses during the
year, IL improved, l6 unimproved Gall of whom
Asylum on the 1st November, 1860, ITO patients,
of this number ia are males aud 65 females
The report says
"Of the admissions during the year. numbering
81 males and rs females, and making a total of
TO- the far greater portion have been, as hereto
fore, chronic. or cases Of long standing This
contribution to those already in the house, con-
tinues to keep up a large number; and as the con-
stitutional energies of many of them have been
materially impaired by complications of physical
and mental disease, will of necessity, continue to
swell the annual list Of mortality in considerable
degree
The proportion of recoveries during the same
time to the number of admissions has been
twentyeght per cent, while that of recoveries, to
the recent in the time has been seventy
three per cent.
/" In this latter result, is strikingly illustrated
the beneficial effects of subjectng the insane to
early treatment
Of 298 patients in the Asylum during the two
years, 81 were married and POI unmarried The
ages Of these unfortunate persons range from 5 to
70 years-the largest number Sc, aged 60 to 70,
and the next largest, 81, aged 20 to rs years.
The Report states that during the past summer,
epidemic dysentery prevailed to distressing ex-
tent in the Asylum, from which y died. 1t is
stated that while some of the patients were sick
with the disease, they became entirely sane and
were apparently sound as ever in mind, but un-
happily nearly all who recovered their reason in
this way died from the facilitating effects of the
disease.
The causes of insanity are various: I'll health
27, intemperance ID, epilepsy Is, hard study 8,
religious excitement 5, domestic troubles Is, dis
appointment in love g. masturbation q, blow on
the head 4, loss of property 4, jealousy 4, unre-
Quilted love l, use of tobacco /, bad temper l,
hereditary 2, i'll treatment of husbands 3, spiritual
ism l, &C., unknown causes 134.
Since the organization of the Asylum, the num-
her of patients from Mecklenburg county is stated
at 10, Cleaveland 3, Catawba l, Cabarrus ID,
CASTOR s, Iredell 3, Lincoln 6, New Hanover 10,
Cumberland 6. Richmond 5, Rowan Is, Union 3,
Wake %, Wilkes ,, Forsythe IA, Gui!ford IA,
Orange "a, Arson 9, Caswe 7, Craven 8, David
son 4, Burke 3, Chatham TO- &c. But few from
the Mountain counties. There were p patients
from other States.
The amount expended for the support of the
inmates one year, is s34 ,447 SO. OF this amount
patients have paid sl0,966 S5-the balance,
S23, 48l o., was drawn from the State Treasury.
This amount could not be expended in more
charitable cause.
The Institution is well managed by Dr. Fisher,
the Superintendent He is admirably qualified
to discharge his arduous and responsible duties,
and his uniform kindness to the poor unfortunate
creatures under his is spoken Of by all