Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-03-26
COLUMBUS CORRESPONDENCE.
TIE INSANE ASYLUM.


CoLUMBUs CORRESPONDENCE.
TIE INSANE ASYLUM.
CoLuNBus March 25th, 1861.
Those whose ideas Of insane asylums are
confined to the institution at Newburgh, have
no conception Of the extent Of the Central
Asylum at this city. There are more than
double the number Of patients that there are
at Newburgh, and the building is three times
as large. The latter is situated about a mile
east Of the Capitol, and is surrounded BY
beautifully arranged grounds. The building
is arranged on three sides ofa hollow square
the halls, being, in the aggregate, more than
amile IN length. Accompanied by DR.. Ely,
I to-day went over the Asylum and from
that visit obtained an idea as TO how such
an institution ought to be managed. Every
thing about it seemed perfectly adapted to
the purpose, aud systematically applied
One Of the great features Of the management
is that no restraint Of any kind whatever is
used upon the patients, even upon the most
violent ones. Four years ago, when DR.. Ely
took charge be found one building used ex-
clusively for a "mad house" end here the
poor creatures were chained, hand-cufed and
loaded down with irons, while their howls
and shrieks were terrific. DR.. Ely immed-
lately set about inaugarating reform. he
piled the irons and instruments Of torture in
an out building, gave the patients the largest
liberty in their wards and rooms, tore down
one mad-house, and transformed the other
into green house, had the wards cleanedup
aud hung pictures upon the walls. Until
that time the eating tables had been supplied
with tin cups and plates, iron spoons and
barbarous knives, constructed with view to
prevent suicide. These were all thrown
away as relics of barbArism, and from that
time the dining tables have been tasteful and
inviting By their pure white crOckery, their
glass tumblers and vases Of flowers. It was
urged that the inmates would break all these,
and throw the glass and crOckery ware at the
heads of the attendants. On the contrary,
no persons could take more pride in these
adoruments than they, and none could be
more careful. The walls are ornamented
with handsome, choice pictures protected by
glasses and frames; these are never mOlested
in the least but, on the contrary, they are a
source of much pleasure and comfort to the
patients. Many of the rooms are Carpeted
and decorated by little ornaments which the
taste OF the inmates has suggested, and
through all the wards, from the more peace
able to those occupied by the worst cases, all
is order and neatness.
This kind treatment has had its effect upon
the patients, and there is not half tie labor
requisite to take care Of them that there was
before the new order of things. A few rooms
are made peculiarly strong and guarded
against all accidents or attempts at suicide,
but further than this there is no parade OF
force. In this respect the Institution may be
taken as a model.
There are about 800 patients in the Asy-
lum, about "'alf and al" male and female.
About thirty are assigned to each ward
Upon each floor are large promenade and
recreation halls, the windows ahording de-
ightiul views of the country about. A large
lot of land is connected with the Institution,
which is titled by the. patients. A large
space is laid of as a flower end pleasure
garden, one of the best influences which can
be brought to aid in the restoration of reason.
The house is abundantly supplied with
the purest of water, from wells and cisterns
Some of the patients have considerable tai
ent in the fine arts; one of .hem has painted
a most admirable picture Of the late Hon.
Horace Mann, entirely from memory, without
either the original OF any other picture 70 aid
him. The likeness is pronounced perfect
and the best one extant of the distinguished
teacher. Another is q skillful and ingenious
carver, and manufactures many fine speci-
mems of his skill.
To a stranger, the green house is one of the
mostattractive objects about the Institution. 1t
has been arranged with exquisite skill. In one
corner is a miniature rock cascade with 6
pool and fountain at the foot which is the
finest piece of rock building / have ever seen.
A Naiad sits upon the summit Of the rock,
pouring the waters from her vase. Beside
this, there is a purling rivulet pouring
over rocky channel thrlngh the center Of
the green house, With frequent jets, water
falls and pools in which are various kinds OF
fish. In the largest Of these ponds is q south
erneT, regular live alligator, four feet long,
which looks formidable, small though be is.
A twenty footer would be an ugly customer.
Into this charming greenhouse the patients
have free access at proper times, and its effect
for good cannot be overestimated.
Dr.. Ely has travelled much and examined
thoroughly the Asylums of England and
the Continent and brings large fund Of ex-