The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-06-24
Convention Of Superintendent Of Insane
F's 50 ASyIumS es s

.
Convention Of Superintendent Of Insane
Asylnms.
The 23rd annual meeting of the Association Of
Medical Superintendent of American Institutions
for the Insane, was heldsin the Virginia Hotel in
this place, last week. The meeting commenced
on the 18th and continued till the 18th.
Dr.. Kirkbridge, Of Philadelphia, President, and
DR.. Curwen, of Harrisburg, acted as. Secretary.
On the first day DR.. Curwen read report upon
the treatment Of the insane in private Institutions
in which he took occasion to express his contempt
for certain legislatures in passing rules and regu
lations for the government and treatment Of NAL
aides of which they were totally ignorant.
| Dr. Ray presented an important paper on the
law of insanity, in which were described several
recent judicial decisions, showing most gratifying
progress in the right direction. The decision Of
the Chief Justiee of New Hampshire in a recent
criminal case was regarded as embodying really
correct law in respect to insanity asan excuse for
crime All questions of insanity, including tests
and definitions, questions of fact to be deter
mined by the jury, and the duty Of the Court is
not confined to the simple instruction that if they
find the prisoner to have been insane when he COM
mitted the act and that the act was the offspring
of such disease, they must acquit him on the
ground of insanity. Aftef an amusing discussion
about the treatment oftheinsane in Massachusetts,
by ducking and confinement in high pressure COM
pressed water tanks one hundred years ago, the
scientific conversation was adjourned till nine
o'clock Wednesday morning.
On Wednesday resolution by DR.. Graham, of
Texas, fayoring a judicious system of. religious
! worship in insane asylums produced an animated
and general discussion, particularly as to the kind
of religion and the manner of its preaching, it be-
ing held by DR.. Landon that exciting sermons
would tend to increase the malady of the patients.
DR.. Stribling advocated the resolution-pre
ed in State Institutions at least that the services
be performed by the neighboring clergy, rather
than resident Chaplain. This had been the plan
at Western Lunatic Asylum for more than one
quarter of a Century. Hehad seen much good
result from such services and not in single in
stance any permanent harm. ssat
| Resolutions were adopted favoring regular re-
igious service in hospitals, the choice of and
thority chaplains to be vested in superinten-
dents.
paper by Dr. Workman, of Toronto, on the
phases of insanity in females and perversions of
| mind occasioned by disorders of the system, was
debated at length, as was also Dr. Ray s report of
the day before.
On Thursday, by invitation Of Mr.. Abram Mob
Ter, the members paid visit to Weyer's Cave
On Friday morning, DR.. Ray read paper on
the abnormal condition of mind occurring in cases
the patients, apparently perfectly sane, declare
afterwards that they do not recollect what they
did. The paper, after discussion by nearly all
the members, was ordered to be printed.
The following resolutions of thanks were adop-
ted:
The Association of Medical Superintendents of
American Institutions for the Insane, now about
to close its 23rd Annual Session, at Staunton, Va
and greatly approaching the courtesy and hospi-
tality that have attended their sojourn here.
Resolved, That our thanks are due: -.
To the Managers of the Western Lunatic Asy-
lum for the opportunity of examining, at our leis
ure. the arrangement and management Of this old
Institution We are grateful to find SO many APP
planes for the comfort and enjoyment of the in
sane and such abundant evidence that humanity
and liberality characterize the administration as
shown not only inthe beautiful grounds and am
pie airing courts, but in many unobstrusve, in
ternal comforts which transform the Asylum into
Home We recognize in it all the hand of the
experienced, intelligent, CONSCIENTIOUS and deyo-
ted Medical Superintendent, DR.. Francis 7. Strib-
ling. A service of more than one entire genera
ton has not dimed his vision nor abated his ar
dor. We congratulate the Managers of the Asy-
lurn, and the people of this old Commonwealth
upon their singular good fortune in having, for
SO Tonga period, enjoyed the benefits of his labors
May he be longer spared to devote his matured
experience and ripencd judgment, with Christian
fidelity to the best interests of the insane and to
the honor ofthe Old Dominion.
To the Managers and Teachers of the Asylum
for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind for the welcome
privilege of Witnessing the exercises of the pupils
in the various departments-an exhibition ofrare
interest and excellence, and also for their album
dant and elegant hospitality
To Mr.. Abram Mohler, Proprietor, of Meyers
Cave, for the opportunity of seeing that great
ural curiosity under the most favorable circum-
stances. We are indebted to him for day of re-
Taxation and enjoyment, the like of which most of
us have never before experienced, and which we
shall long remember with peculiar pleasure
To Messrs. Peytons q Co., Proprietors of the
White Sulphur Springs, for invitation to visit
that attractive watering place, and pass few days
there, as their guests-an invitation which we
find it hard to decline, but which we regret we
cannot accept consistently with the full execution
of the purpose which has called us together here
To the Presidents Of the various Railroads of
Virginia, Tor their generous offer to pass the
members Of this Body over their several roads at
one-half of the usual rates.
To such of the good citizens of Staunton as,
recognizing the fact that our specially knows no
distinction of time nor place, of country nor con-
dition, but is in accord with the highest humanity
of our nature have extended to us the warm hand
of welcome, and have made our visit here an en-
ljoyable fact and o pleasant memory.
| To Mr.. Frederick Scheffer, Proprietor of the
Virginia Hotel, for the use of Parlor for our
meetings free IF charge, and for his good-natur
and constant efforts to secure our comfort while
| guests at his Hotel.
| To the Managers of Western Lunatic Asylum
for their courteous and generous attentions and
hospitality, and to our old friend and associate,
DR.. Stribling, for his untiring and most success
full endeayors to make our first visit to Staunton
profitable, and pleasant in the highest degree
We bid him goodbye with regret and in the hope
that for years to come, shall enjoy his welcome
presence at our annual assemblies.
For the Committee,
e. A. WALKER, Chairman
| On motion Of Dr. Nichols, the resolutions were
passed unanimously and by reclamation.
! DIR. Stribling rose and said;
Mr.. President feel deeply the compliment
paid by your resolutions to the citizens of m ma
tive town, to the State charities located in their
midst, and to myself individually and as mem
Der of your speciality. cannot trust myself to
say more -
| The body then adjourned to meet in Hartford,
Connecticut. on the 3rd Wednesday in June 1870.
gsA The total number registered up to date is
352. Whites, 268, colored, "a.
marriages.