The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-22
rnontinned from The First Pnne. ]


being separated from friends, and tor no sin con-
lined IN dUrance vile. 1t affords them that on
which they can build many pleasant thought,
and helps them to relieve their minds OF the
fancies which oppress them.
Among other noticeable objects pertaining 70
the grounds IS pond of considerable size, which,
though OF rather brackish water, is useful 'n the
winter, furnishing ice Tor the Workhouse and the
Asylum and good skating for the officers ana
certain patients
There are 6fty-six officers attendants, and
employees salaried by the Commissioners. Oi
these the resident Physician holds the entire
executive mower There are usually three assist
ant phy siCians and a chaplain attached to the
Institution. An engineer and two ltchmen are
among the officials. The duties of the latter
extend during the night as well as day. There
are two attendants to each hall In the Asylum
and Retreat. The Lodge Is presided over by
female superintendent, and each hall has single
keeper, The Matron has the charge OF the gene
raj housekeeping in all the buildings, and stands
highest in rank among the female attaches. A
gardener and a cook are noticeable, as well as
the attendants in the sick-room. The laundry,
wash-house, and kitchen include most of the
other employees
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PATIENTS.
The number of patients is usually about eight
hundred. More tnan one-half-perhaps two
thirds-are of foreign nativity; Ireland anuu-
ally furnishing $50, and Germany 60. The usual
number OF admissions during year is $40, while
discharges and deaths amount to similar num-
more than of those who are married, while with
females II is the reverse. The female majority
in respect to age lies with those between thirty
and forty years. the male between twenty and
thirty. The term of residence OF those dis
charged is generally from three to six months,
though not few have spent three years in the
Asylum, and some from six to eighteen. The lat
ter are usually discharged unimproved.
] shall not trouble my readers with medical
subdivisions OF the forms OF insanity; suffice it
TO say that mania afflicts more than four-hths of
the patients-dementia, or idiocy, and general
paralysis being the misfortune of the remainder.
Mama mcluoes the violent and raving madman
and those oppressed by single delusion. From
six TO- twelve improper subjects are annually
sent to the Institution. These are mostly per-
sons laboring under short-lived delirum occa
stoned by Intoxicating drink, though sometimes
a criminal, relieved for time from the penalty
of his crime by plea OF insanity, makes his ap.
pearance from court of justice.
Even where the criminal is really lunatic it
is not considered that the Asylum is the proper
place for him, there being at Auburn, erected by
the State, an asylum for insane conVicts, which
combines as far as may be the comforts of an
lum with the strength of prison.
In the construction of ordinary asylums atten-
ton is given more to the homelke comforts than
to the great strength OF the establishment 1t
is the moral power that holds the patients more
efiectually than strong rooms, and probably
there is no asy lum in the country, except that
at Auburn, from which a sane man could not
readily escape. In the Asylum on Blackwell's
Island there are no rooms really stronger than
the usual sleeplngrooms of the hotels in the city,
and the only appearance of extra strength is in
the castiron sashes OF the windows which might
be readily broken.
They are well adapted, however, to common
cases of insanity but are insecure for the crmi-
nal insane with dangerous propensities and
afford to those who feign the disease in order
to escape punishment for their otfenses, ready
facilities for eopement. One of the unhappiest
results Of the reception of this class ls that the
NJ tepl trulv 1nUrada1 nv the aSSOpia-
ciatlon, and are fearful that their own lives are
endangered. Many of the patients are exceed
ingly sensitive, and feel oeeply any real or fam
cied injury or injustice. 1t becomes with them
a matter of complaint that murderers even
occupy the same halls with them and sit at the
same table. Expressions OF feeling arouse a
spirit OF lll-will and antagonism, and serious
quarrels and difficulties result.
There are usually between thirty and forty
persons with suicidal tendencies confined in the
institution. Most of their manifestations are,
however, made previous 10 admission. The
greatest care is taken to prevent the success
of their attempts at selfdestrhcton while in
carcerated, vet one or Two annually effect their
purpose. The nature OF the attempts IS various:
jumping from windows and heights, hanging,
starvation, strangulation, cutting throat OF arm,
drinking laudanum or morphine, and beating
the head against the wall are enumerated. Con-
side1ing the disproportion OF the sexes within
the ylum, it may be stated that such cases are
equally divided between them
The clbnk of chains and letters is no longer
heard in the Asylum. All means are taken to
conceal every prison-like appearance. Iron
doors are nowhere seen: entrance TO the differ
ent halls is, OF course, only obtainable by key;
but, though extremely strong, ordinary locks
are used; bolts and bars are not visible. The
iron gTatings OF the windows correspond in their
openings to the size of the panes of glass before
them, so that casual glance would detect no
thing peculiar. The most violent cases are put
simply into a cell containing only mattress
and o wooden vessel; and where that is INSULT
cient TO prevent harm strait:iacket OF bedtick
closely fastening the arms to the sides is used
but it is rarely worn.
The same care now extends to the clothes o.
the patients; these were formerly OF striped
cloth, resembling that upon convicts in othel
buildings on the island. Within few year
they have been exchanged for suits OF navy blue
so that patients in whom some degree OF SANITY
exists present respectable appearances; tht
females are attired in calico gowns Apprecia
ton of their apparel Is great inducement tx
cleanliness and neatness. The majority OF thu
insane are furnished with clothes by the com
missioners, though many are providedby friend
and relatives with such necessaries. At lines
however, some OF these are not allowed to Wea
their own garments, their destructive nature
neCessitatipg stronger and less valuable attire
Most of the inmates OF the Lodge are thus clad
The food, as | have said, consists mostly o
soup with spoon meat, the impract.cablity o
allowing she insane the use OF knives and fork
rendering this essential. The bill of fare is no
luxurious, though better than in other institu
tions upon the island. Beet SOUP, really merit
ing great commendation, is served three time
weekly; tor dinner mutton and salt beefonce. TIL
soup is thickened withIndian meal, and contain
ID variety of vegetables. Occasionally, in the sea
son, other vegetables! such as radishes, accom-
pany the dish. but this is seldom. The brea1
very good, and of all edibles furnished there
always an abundance. Friday is a black da
with those of squeamish stomach, for mush an
molasses is then furnished instead of soup. Tn
& aaH ~ hTaah aVNA cAon =