The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-18
THE INTERIOR Of luNArE AsYluMs, BY AN AlLEGEO
mAOkAM.

TO THE EDITOR or THE HERALD.
feel the greater inducement TO unvoil thesc mys
teries-
QS0 ipss niserima ridt
III quorum pdrs magma J1i-
because, properly to understand the working OF .
modern madhouse both TO Its good and bad qualities
il Is necessary alas TO have been, was inmate OF
unfortunate subject In the power Of those who
profess be experts fathomng the secrets OF that
most subtle alchemy, the human brain. The nero
visitor TO such insttution know nothing except
what the officials choose 10 show him, and rarely
would patient known TO DO overcommunicaaive bs
allowed opportunity Of INDUCING such detrimental
propensity. Prompt measures would be taken TO con-
ns both his person and seniim within very limited
space Plausible polteness TO Strangers kindness 70 many
the ssmssupid inmates but rigorous often cruel treat
Of those who suspected OF wahing 70 escape,
be ihey insane, sick well. have were
would select three First, the alacrty with which
patients received corn from single phys-
snS detention O Tnr a.. me
reluctance with which paent is reeasedthat H. his
relatives can pay for keeping him longer. The first
mentioned fault lies, perhaps more In detective laws
the subject than in The Institution; for until patient
has been detained fe~ days his condition hardly
not found confined keepers OF unaiic asylurus
but toIeraby prevalent everywhere The third fault,
however would call particular attention 70 ~ alarms
wrong tho community where u Is pcrpetrated- Tho
simple fact stands thus:-A man may DO perfectly sane
whether he was insane or not previously and u those
who put him duress wish IL and pay for II he NAV be
detained forever In many OF course the patients
friends take them away but N they do not the unhappy
wretch Who expects that tho physician viii discharge
him Wills any money be made by Keeping him
leans indeed broken reed Az we'll might he expect
the ancient tenure Of norman TO roax It's skeleton
clutch.
70 charitable whose hearts warm and whose
purses open at the piantve appeals for which
generally form the burden OF the annual reports Of these
institutions Tor the insane take that your bounty
Is really directed " the admirable objso for which you
intended H. Take heed while intending 10 bestow
blessing en- your fellow creatures you put Il In the
power OF some perambulating mass OF sef-setisled
uupidV calling himself pnyslcian 70 tamper wiz
70 hts own.
The feon who Is sentenced to prison Knows for whit
causc ana Tor how long lie knows that when his TERMS
finished the strong arm Of the law will be stretched forth
70 open his prison door Are laws 70 dchcisnt or let's
aors 30 unskIIed that the same watchulnsss shall bot
DO extended the Ia the madhouse Is efer
cised over the feion In his cell
It's In vain to urge. as have sometimes heard that
The keepers Of these places vc xed saiaris. snd,hs
priirs dha par rawtsi" Az long as there is an
unoccupied ward an empty there Is an Indirect
incentive 70 increase the revenue o. the asylum by an
Ing that ward or that room with paying PATENTS
Doubtless In the institutions that sud the
country even now there u many forlorn mortal de-
tanned, IKE Ulysses andsr the harsh survelance Of
base men," Lucky will no be " he reach his home In
time for even his dog 70 recognize him
Ia my humble opinion tho only effective rsmsdy for
the owls have referred 70 VIII b. In more stringent
legislation on the subject Let unprincpIed physicians
BE- dstcrred BY fear Of punishment from sgtng facile
certificates Let measures be adopted 10 prevent the
improper abduction Of sane meu and 70 compel the
speedy release q those unduly held Above oil, let
there Be government ocsr detailed Il msed periods 70
make rigid investigation into the actual condition Of
every patient-ezamscrs who viii execute their duty
tearessy, imparialy, uninnucnced by the repressn-
taons OF msnass psoprietors, overecrs mad doctors
~ aay ens consscssa WIN sasA inslisuttsus M