Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-01-18
Local Items.

FnoN the report of the PRESIDENT q board OF
Directors the Western Lunatic Asylum, with
the accompanying report of DR.. Francis =. o'fih-
ling, Physician and Superintendent, we learn the
fo,low;np interesting facts: Since July lst, 1886,
there have been admitted into the Asylum 1909
natents. of whom 807 have been discharged-re-
covered 236 discharged-not recovered. 553 died
and 33 remaining, exhibiting the gratifying fact:
that, deduciing the number remaining in the
Asylum, over one half of the whole number OF
patients received within period OF 30years have
been dischareed-cured, which speaks volumes
for the efficient management Of this most humane
institution. There were 3o7 patients in the
Asylum at the commencement of the year and 81
admitted, making a total of 374 cared for during
the wear. Within the year 26 have been dis
-charged-recovered, dischargsd-mueh i'm
proved, 3 discharged improved, 3 discharged
unimproved. discharged-not insane, ! eloped
and is died, making in all 81, leaving 81 pa
tients still cared for in the Asylum.
No endemic, epidemic or sporadic diseases have
assailed the patients during the year--the amount
of sickness has been comparatively smail--the per
centape of deaths below the annual average-no
cases of suicide have occurred and no patient has
seriously injured self or another.
The Physician and Superintendent says that
Humanity and wise policy unite in calling
upon the Legislature to make prompt and suitable
provision for the care and cure of insane colored
persons which sclass of unfor Inmates is rapidly
increasing in Virginia. This suggestion will
meet with the cordial approval of the people OF
Virginia, who have noticed the increase OF insan-
ity among the colored people and have regretted
that no provision for caring for and curing
them has been made.
Dr. Stribling also suggests the propriety of the
Legislature establishing, by la W, the route by
which parties conveying patients to the Asylum
shall travel, or receive mileage therefor. This
seems to be eminently proper, as difficulties con-
tnually arise for want of some law on the sub
ject
+ The President and Board of Directors, justly.
IS the facts stated above show, speak in high
terms of the efficient management of the Asylum
under DIR. Striking and his worthy assistants
They are gratifcd at the visitl last year Of the
Legislative Committee and suggest the propriety
of an annual visit by committee Of the Lcgislu-
ture, to inspect the Asylum and its management,
as they believe it eminent!y important that the
management Of such an institution should Le
thoroughly understood 10y those whose duty il il
to provide for its government and support.
They state that satisfactory arrangement hes
been made with the Governor Of West Virginia
for the support Of the inmates cared for III th'
Asylum from that State.
~ They state that the expenses Of the Institution
for the past year have been kept within the ap
preparation, there being balance OF $22l Of salt
appropriation Oh hand, and ask that appro
priation Of s,4l 900 be made by the Legislature
for the support of the Asylum for the present scs.
year. This they think sufficient together Will
the amount to be paid by West Virginia, th
amount estimated to be received from Board fune
j. and the amount on hand.
In closing, DR.. Striking returns s thanks t
the proprietors Of newspapers, sent cratulousl,
to the Institution.
From tabular statements of the Physician ant
superintendent report, We arc pleased to con
clude with the Board that the management of Thu
d. Institution as we'll in its financial department at
IN It's edlcliiaI Is attributable 10 the great ski
and devotion Of the able and experienced phys
clan aud Superintendent and his assistants TIKI
State is fortunate in having Il gentleman, kind
aud genial in his manners, ever thong htful Of 1hs
unfortunatcs under his charge and whose abilit,
Phi, stefan, the successful care Of 80 many OF
patients at this Institution forcbly a,tess, to pre-
side over this, its prominent Asylum lor The
treatment of the insane. Equally fortunate is tho
State in being able 10 secure tile services Of the
competent corps OF assistants TO the Physician and
Superintendent in the discharge of his many and
varied duties. We n.ight enumerate by name,
but suffice it to say that in each and every depart
ment they are eminenily qualified for and suited
to their positions, the loss OF any one of whom
would bea deprivation to the Phi, stefan in charge,
- we'll as to the interests of the Institution.
-
We have received the January number of the
q Farmer " published monthly by Elliott and
Shields, Richmond Virginia. With this number
commences Volume II of the Farmer 1t has in
the past year met with sufficient encouragement
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