The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-10-30
THE N. C. LUNArIc ASYLUM.

If there be anything of which the State OF
North Carolina may be justly proud it is OF Its
State charities. Whatever else may befall US,
they should be fostered and cherished The
amount of good which theythave wrought In
the cause of humanity is far above the patry
computation of dollars and cents. We wish
that every man, woman and child 10 the State
could see the practical evidences of the benefits
which, under excellent management they are
accomplishing for the unfortunates for whom
they were designed, and they would feel an
honest and grateful exultation in the contem-
plation.
A recent visit to the Lunatic Asylum has i'm
pressed us more forcibly than ever with the
great importance of this noble institution, the
BENEFICIAL results of which it has been the in
strument, and the efficiency, judgment and
thoroughne.s with which its affairs are conduct
ed All of the departments are in perfect work
ing order, and admirable system, regularity and
economy appear to prevail throughout the es-
tablishmcnt. No Earring, obstruction or confu-
sion are anywhere evident, but everything seems
to progress with as much smoothness, as to du-
ty, as would prevail in an ordinary wellconduct-
ed household.
The Lunatic Asylum, as many of our readers
abroad unaware, is a stately and imposing
edfce, 72O feet long, and three stories high,
| situated on commanding edifce overlooking
the city. The first floor Of the centre building
is devoted to Offices aud dining rooms for the
subordinate officials Of the institution, apothe-
cary shop, &c the second to the use of the Su-
perintendent and family; and the third to neat
little Chapel, &c. Either wing, on each fioor
is composed of wards for the insane,-female
wards on the right and male on the left. These
wards are attended by competent keepers, and
nil hat of md
accommodation that are necessary and proper
to the peculiar cases of the inmates. There are
| at present about 165 patients, about equally
divided between the sexes
The entire building is heated by steam, and
water 10 abundance for drinking bathing and
clothes washing, is supplied by the same agency.
The cooking, also, is done through the same
means. The gas for the entire building is man
| ufactured on the premises.
One Of the most Interesting, as it is one of
| the most valuable and economic features of the
institution, is the immense garden, from which
the inmates are supplied with seasonable vege-
tables the year round, and which is worked
mainly by the tractable lunatcs under proper
| supervision. They are thus afforded exercise
and diversion. The Superintendent bestows
much care and attention upon this important ad.
junct, and has managed to extract from soil
of wretched poverty the finest stock OF vegeta-
bles we have ever seen,-rivallng, in quality
and quantity, the famous truck-farnls to be seen
| in the vicinity of Northern cities.
We have not the space to devote to such a
full description Of this asylum as We should like
| to give. So far as we are competent to Judge,
the moral administration of the establishment
is expert and successful, while the practical
management of its complicated details is rigid,
prompt and thorough. To conduct and govern
so extensive an institution requires watchful-
ness, experience and professional ability,-and
these we believe to be well-blendcd in DIR.
| Fisher.
The Board of Supervisors, of which the Gov
ernor is er c6icio Superintendent, and under
whose general direction the affairs of the insti-
tuition ere conducted, are vigiant and unremit-
ting in their duties
Long may this great charity stand monu-
ment to the munfcence and humanity of the
State! May it never appeal in vain for a help
ing hand to the same noble spirit which first
gave it existence !-Raleigh Sentinel