New-York tribune., 1870-12-06
QUE STATE 1yEBRI4TE ASYLUM

BNGHAMTOY, Dec. 5.-Eight hours pleasant
ride from NewYor, and three miles from the city OF
BinghamOu, We find the New-IOrk state IneDrl
ate ASYLUM. From various causes, the history
Of the institution has not been untroubled,
but it is confidently believed now that the day
Of experiment has passed, and that with the en-
trance of the present Superintendent, Dr. Dodge gen
eman of means and culture and practical physician
the Asylum Will enter prosperous career. There
seems to be profound misunderstanding peryading the
public mind u regard TO The Objects capacities, mode OF
treatment and results OF the Asylum. The deuson that
the patients strictly confined and dosed upon whisky
until saturated; that their meat vegetables, pies, to
bacco etc. are soaked With fusl oil and that they have
benzne to the right Of them, gin % the left Of tlem and
rum over and through them, ia cacOus as Is another
chmcra widely circulated that patients upon arrival
and generally lust "Of" from prolonged devotion TO
the bottle gradually tapcred on from maximum Of
say two gallons per diem, tO a minimum 0l-none.
When medical practitioners recognize ana treat drunk
enness the love of drink. disease not as an ac-
Gured habit half the labor will he done. AS with any
other malady the first step is 10 the And
this is what this asylum does IL i quiet retreat
where the patient IS removed from all temptation,
with kindly hearts and hands reaching out TO assist hn
I'm his good resolutions and finds substantial heaithiul
dict made up of such delcaces as will first tempt his
weakened digestion, and then promote that health and
vgor which once were his These, ana these alone arc
the means used It is not claimed that any person will
derive benefit there unless he COmcsfulY resolved 10 help
himself and determined TO obey all Of The few rules laid
down for his guidance.
The routine Of daily life is as follows At 72O a. the
patients and 60 down to breakfast. This over, they
repair TO the chapel where prayers held by the RV
Mr. Bush. After chapel various methods are resorted
vary their mOnOtOnous aud rather dan
tary life. Some play billiards. for which purpose there
are three excellent "Pheau" tables Others engage in
friendly strife whist CrhDagt, chess Backgammon or
domnOes according to the mental calbcr Of the player
There are pianos vOns, cabinet organs and that best
abused instrument the banjo Other patients sc0ur the
adjacent woods material out of which 10 manufacture
canes great ingenuity is exhibited In this branch of do
nestle industry. lew, having passed through the re-
Ouired probation, walk TO town. Though the cornerstone
OF the theory upon which this experiment is made
hdence-the largest liberty recOncilabe with the good
and safety of the pateu-stil the practice does al
ways demonstrate that much freedom proves dcsr
ble advantageous.
There many visiters, mostly gentlemen hut occa
sionaly the sight OF lady brghteIB the Retreat with
her presence, recalling tender TccOllecOns Of loving
trusting wives, fond, fearful mothers and sisters
watching for the silver lining 10 the cloud and praying
that the experiment making may prove successful.