The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-04-27

The Convention Of NJ edicaI superintendents
Of Insane Asylums.

Oh hnhahe hbytuthh.
WEDNESDAY,, April 26.-The Association Of
Medical superntendsnts Of American Institutions
for the Insane assembled at Willards hotel at ten
o'clock this morning.
After certain routine business, Dr. CHPLEr, q.
Kentucky, proceeded to read an able and elaborate
discussion Of the important question Of the sxis
tence Of moral insanity DIS distinct form Of mental
disease. At IL m. the reading Of this paper was
suspended to enable the members Of the association
to pay their respects TO the President Of the United
States who courte ously received them, and Id re.
ply to q mention Of the name and objects Of the
association, by Or. NICHOLS, he kindly expressed
his appreciation Of the scientific and humane labors
Of the gentlemen before him, and thanked them for
the pains they had taken to pay their respects to
him.
The association assembled again at 8 p. M, when
DR.. CBiPLEr concluded the reading Of his paper on
moral insanity. This important paper gave rise to
an extended discussion by different members Of the
association Of the main question before them.
A communication was received from Surgeon
General Barnes, inviting the members Of the asso-
citation to visit the Army Medical Museum which
was accepted for two O'Clock tomorrow afternoon.
The committee to suggest timo and place for
favor Of meeting in Boston, on the second Tuesday
In June, 1867. On motion Of DR.. Van Nostrand,
Of Wisconsin, the report was amended to read
Chicago, and the third Tas'day in May and then
adopted.
The association then proceeded to consider the
subject Of 4 uniform law defining the legal rela-
lions Of the insane.
At seven o'clock the association adjourned, to
meet at the Government Hospital for the Insane at
ten O'Clock tomorrow morning.
THURSDAY, April 20 In accordance with pre-.
vious arrangements the Association of Medical u
perntendents Of American Institutions for the In.
sane took carriages at o'clock q. IN, and drove
to the Government Hospital for the Insane situated
at 81. Elizabeth, on the Anaoostia Heights. On
their way they halted few minutes at the Capitol,
to view Brumids grand and beautiful painting in
the eye of the new dome.
Having arrived at the hospital the association
was courtoously received by DR.. Nichols the we'll.
known superintendent, and his medical assistants,
and under their guidance Immediately proceeded
to visit the various departments of that extensive
establishment. The neatness, the order, the quiet
ude and the general air Of comfort pervading the
wards demonstrated the excellence Of the manage
ment of this noble institutions and the perfection
Of finish Of all the architecture of the building won
the admiration Of the members of the association.
Having completed their Inspection the party
were refreshed by liberal and excellent collation.
in the apartments of Dr. Nicbsls. They then re.
turned to the city greatly pleased with their visit
and perhaps not without some pride in the con-
sciOusnesS that country can furnish SO perfect
monument Of muniGoent philanthropy.
Having returned to the city, the members of the
association proceeded directly to the Army Med.
cal Museum, on II street west, between Thirteenth
and Fourteenth streets, in pursuance of an invita-.
ton received the day before from Surgeon General
Barnes. At the door Of the museum building the
members were cordially received by Surgeons Otis
and Woodward Of the army, who are in charge of
the great work, so important to science and hu-
manity, of collecting, preserving, and classifying
many thousand specimens Of surgical and medical
pathology, growing out Of the casualties and dis
eases of the late war. DR.. Otis, In charge Of the
surgical section Of the museum, occupied the asso
citation for an hour or more with an exceedingly
entertaining and instructive presentation Of spec
and histories Of corresponding cases.
At three O'Clock, the hour to which the AssoeiA.
ton had adjourned to assemble again at Wizards
Hotel the members of the Association expressed
to Doctors Woodward and Otis their high sppreoiA-
ton Of the Importance and value Of the work in
which they arc now engaged aud their thanks for
the privilege Of examining the museum. Having
assembled in their session room at the hotel, Dr.
Cook, of CanAndiAguA, proceeded to read an elab-
crate paper upon the care Of the chronic incur.
able insane of the State Of New York. The subject
brought to the confederation Of the Association IL
considered Of more practical Importance than any
other that has been discussed at this annual meet
ing Of the body 1t appears that in the single State
Of New York there less than twenty Ave hun.
bred chronic 'pauper insane very inAdequatey pro.
yided for in alms-house recsptaoles and jails and
1t Is considered Of the utmost Importance to the
future welfare Of this large and rapidly undressing
class Of the most helpless and pitable of Gods
creatures that s,..a .peral, and humane plan Of
caring for such persons sAyuId bc maturol and
adopted in all the State,