The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-02-13
For the Lansing Republican.
The Asylums Of Michigan.

and civilization of the 18th and 10Th centuries.
They are designed to relieve the sufferings, and
increase the comforts of that unfortunate class
Of persons which is comparasiy numerous in
every civilized country; a class Of persons ent.
tied to the highest sympathies Of every christian
every philanthropist, every moralist, every friend
of humanity, and every person who has the feel
ings of parent or friend. Such institutions
may be cassed among the most useful, the most
philanthropic, and the noblest monuments OF
modern civilization. IL fact, they may be regar-
ded in some measure Gaping the climax OF
christian civilization. The benefits of such in
stitutons are incalcuable: and yet they are ne
cessariy expensive, ana tend to increase taxa
ton. But what man or woman who has heart
to feel for the unfortunate, would wish to dis
pense with such institutions to avoid the neces.
sary expenses attending them
! Experience and oh. ervaton have proven that
insanity in most cases is caused, either by dis
ease or exhaustion o; the brain, disease OF
the blood, or some o! the vital organs which
sympatbize with the brain; that il is not a mere
abnormal condition OF the inmaterial mind itself;
and that large portion Of persons insane or par
italy insane, who without proper treatment
would become confirmed iunatics, may be cured
by the quiet the discipline, and the medical,
moral and detetc treatment Of an asylum, adap-
| ted to such purposes, under ;he charge of skill
ful Physicians who have devoted many years OF
their lives to the study management and treat.
mcnt of that class Of diseases and persons
Experience also proves that lunatics who are
incurabe, may have their condition greatly I'M
proved by the system of order, regularity, moral
treatment and discipline of a well managed Asy-
! lum; that they may be so disciplined and taught
as to acquire habits of order submission to rule
and regularity from day to das in their conduct,
and some degree of industry, except during the
periods of their worst paroxysns; and that
great numbers Of that class OF persons who can
no, be entirely cured, may be nearly cured, and
taught order regularity in their conduct, regular
industry, and seicontrol, and rendered useful,
comfortable and happy, except during the worst
stages of the disease.
year since, there five or six lunatics
in the Poor House OF Washenaw county three
OF whom were SO violent maniacs, and so incin-
ed to destroy their clothes, that it impossible
to keep clothing upon them, and they were con-
fined in narrow cells, with grated doors, and mes
ted in straw on the floor like pigs, to keep them
warm a, night as well as by day. 1t was impcs
sble to keep them clothed, to lodge them in
beds, and tina. was the best provision that eouFi
be made for them at the Poor House and per
haps IA good az is furnished for that class of per-
sons, at other County Poor Houses in this State.
For some months past, two Of those persons
| have been in the Lunatic Asyln at Kalamazoo,
| at an expense to the County of s2,5o per week
| for board and medical treatment. They now
comfortably clOthed, have acquired habits of or
der and regularity, and are quiet, as general
rule, and have learned not to destroy their cloth
ing. Their mental, moral and physical cond-
| ton, are ali greatly improved; and they are rem.
dered very comfortable and there is reason to
| hope for still further improvement.
The Michigan Lunatc Asylum at Kalamazoo
is model institution of its kind; in its construc-
ton, arrangement, and management; and DR..
Van Deuzen, the Medical Superintendent, is
model man for the place. He has learning, med
| ical science, science aenist physician,
quick percept;ve faculties, sound judgment, hap
by temperament, industry, general phianthre-
py, kindness of heart, sympathy for the unfor-
tunate class of persons under his charge, great
patience, long experience, and devotion to his
profession and to the cause of humanity.
| The Asylum is bearing its fruits OF mercy as
well as utility, worthy Of the State and of the
age in which We live.
1t has over 100 patients, and applications have
been made for many more, though it has accom-
modations for only Ill. The census of 1850
showed that there were then in the State l33
insane persons and lS9 idiots-naking 322 in all
and the increase of population since 1850 has
probably increased the number to about six hun.
dred-the most of whom reed the benefit of
such an institution. Is there a soul within the
limits of the State of Michigan so narrow and
selfish as to grudge the small additional amount
of taxes he must pay to complete the buildings
of that noble institution, and fit it for the high.
est degree Of usefuness9
The most of these remarks will apply also to
the Asylum for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind at
Flint; but with much less force. Let it be borne
in mind that the patients in the Lunatic Asylum
are not supported by the State. They are div-
ded into two classes; first psupers from the sew
eral counties, for which the counties that send
them pay 81, so per week for each and secondly
private patients, who pay or whose friends pay
for them, from $3.50 to $500 per week each,
for their board, and attendance.
On the contrary, the Deaf, Dumb and Blind
children in the Asylum at Flint are boarded and
educated at the expense of the State. Why this
distinction between the two Asylums: Is il just
10 the State and to the taxpayers of the State !?
Why should not those able to pay, or whose par.
ents are able to pay for them, be required to
pay their full expenses for board, attendance and
tuition, the same as private patients at the Lu.
matte Asylum? And why should not the counties
pay the expenses of the poor children sent there,
and thus relieve the State Treasury from 40 heavy
a burihen?
The question of necessity, utility, and justice.
To provide for lunatics is a matter Of as great
necessity as it is to provide for the support Of
paupers, or county jails aud State Prisons for
the confinement and punishment of criminals
1t is also matter of great utility to make the
best possible provision to cure such as are cura