Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-10-01

particular case, resting from labor was ou
of the question and unnecessary, for th
man had been resting too long already, aa,
must needs go to work. The wood wa
| chopped. The dollar to be paid for tn
work at the close of the day was fearfu
ordeal for poor Jack, living fifteen yard
from bar-room. Mr.. Day called round II
the evening, paid him the dollar without re
mark, fell into ordinary conversation will
the family, and took leave. John stood til,
test; not a cent of money found its way int
the till of the bar-keeper. Next morning
Mr.. Day was there again, and, seeing tina
the patient was going on well, spoke to hin
further about the future, and glided again in
to the main topic, dwelling much upon th,
absolute necessity of total and eternal absti
nence. He got the man place, visited him
held him up, fortified his mind, and helpet
him 10 complete and lasting recovery. Jacl
Watts never drank again. He died q yea
or two ago in Maine at a good age, having
brought up his family respectfully.
''This was an extreme case, for the mar
had been drunkard many years it was
difficult, case for he was poor and ignorant
and ii made upon the mind of Albert DAY
an impression that nothing could efface.
A description of the asylum is given, and Q
statement Of the emode of treatment persucd
The village of Biughamton is peculiarly
proper place for the institution, and as far as
money can make the building suitable fol
the end for which it is designed, it will be
expended in completing and beautifying it.
The treatment may be summed up very
briefly. It consists in rest from the ordinary
vocations of the sufferer, pleasant occupa-
tion, q wholesome diet. anda rational exam
ination Of the subject Of indulgence in strong
drink, base ball, croquet, billiards and bowl
ing library, reading-roOm and chapel, music
and flowers, gardening and good company,
such are some of the influences used to
prevent the recurrence Of the desire for
liquor. The system is voluntary, but patients
are not allowed to visit the village without
permission and on violation of this rule
they are placed in confinement. We read:-
SIT occasionally happens that patient,
conscious of the coming on of paroxyisin
of desire, asks to have the key of his room
turned upon him till it is over. It is desired
that this turning of the key, and those few
barred rooms in one of the ward, shall be
regarded as mere remedial appliances, as
much SO as the bottles of medicine in the
medicine-chest. 1t is, however, understood
that no one is to be released from confine-
ment who does not manifest renewed pur-
pose to refrain
We have not space TO describe the treat
ment in detail, but we will mention a few
curious facts. Stated briefly the course is
this:-
''The two grand objects aimed at by the
Superintendent are, to raise the tone Of the
bodily health, and to fortify the weakened
will. Tne means employed vary somewhat
in each case. The Superintendent designs
to make particular study Of each indiyidu-
al he endeavors to win his confidence, to
adapt the treatment to his peculiar disposi-
tion, and to give him just the aid he needs
AS the number of patients increases, this
will become more difficult if it does not
become impossible"
1t is stated that great many of the pa
tients come to the asylum intoxicated, being
only able by such means to screw up their
courage. Once entered within the walls the
use of liquor is absolutely prohibited. No
gradual "tapering off, is allowed, and this
is found to be not only safe but gives the pa
tient less intense suffering and for shorter
time. No medicine is used to rure drunk
ards Of their taste for liquor 1t is believed
to be impossible to effect anything by such
means. Once week atemperance meeting
is held which is addressed by DR.. Day, and
the inmates are then invited to enforce his
remarks by drawing on their own expert
ence Mr.. Parton descrbcs an interesting
meeting of this kind held while he was In
Binghampton.