Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-04-08
The HospltaI Tor the Insane.

Since the reports relative TO the other State
Benevolent Institutions have been published
the Legislative committee report that they
have visited the Hospital for the Insane, and
gave all the matters appertainiug to its affairs
a very careful examination.
The accounts and vouchers were found TO
| compare, and by comparison, the purchases
appear TO have been made With due regard
to economy, and the interests of the people.
There appears to be at this time over seven
hundred insane persons in the state and only
one hundred and eighty-four in this Hospital.
There are in this institution, at this time,
| but three classes of male and three of female
patients, while in most of the first class insti-
| tutlons of other states, they have as high as
| thirteen classes. The committee are satisf-
ed of the necessity of more distinct classif
cation of these patients, as the only means
by which many of them can be restored to
reason.
A bill has been introduced into the Assem-
bly,, No. 321 A, to which the committee call
the attention of the Legislature. The bill
provides for allowing the friends of patients
to pay stipulated sum for their keeping
when they are able so to do, &c.
The committee examined the heating ap
paratus to the Hospital, the laundry, the cook
room, all the ward bedrooms, suffered
rooms, &C., &C., and found the institution in
the very best condition. Good order, disci-
pline and cleanliness everywhere prevailed.
The Board and Superintendent urged upon
the committee the Importance of an appropri-
alton to purchase one hundred acres more of
land adjoining the premises of the Hospital,
and the committee are of the opinion, that
economy and good policy dictates that this
land should be purchased. Ii lies upon the
opposite side of the road from the Hospital,
and may be made very useful and profitable
for agricultural purposes, there being always
more or less of the patients who can be let
out to work. Another reason that induces
the committee to recommend the purchase Is,
that it is now for sale at 81, 800, and at some
future day it may not be for sale, but may he
owned and occupied by some person disposed
TO give the Hospital much trouble.
Petitions and memorials numerously signed,
have been sent up from all parts of the State,
urging upon the Legislature the necessity
for enlarging the building as rapidly as posi-
BILE according to the original design. The
committee fully concur with the memorialists,
that the enlargement is absolutely necessary.
The difficulty, and in many cases the impOsSi-
bility, of properly caring for insane persons,
in jails or poorhouses, or of requiring friends
or relatives to provide for them is, in the
opinion of the committee, a sufficient reason
why the enlargement should be made.
The committee are of the opinion that it
would be much more economical to the peo-
pie of the State to care for all the insane per-
sons in the State at the Hospital, than to con-
fine them fin jails or poor houses, and it would
certainly be more humane
The Hospital as it now stands was designed
for 100 patients, and it contains lS4 patients,
any of whom it would be cruel TO dismiss.
The committee recommend an appropria-
ton of $4,000 for the purpose of excavating
the basement to two additional wings to the
Hospital procuring material, and construct
ing the foundation aud first story to said
wings, and report by bill.
The committee report, in conclusion, that
much praise is due to DR.. A II. Van NOstrand,
the present Superintendent, to DR.. Sawyer,
his Assistant, aud all persons employed about
the Hospta, for the great improvement that
has been made in the afftirs and conduct oil
this institution, and for the good order that
now prevails in every department.