The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-02
UITY INTE LLIG ENC r..
SALVATION FOR INEBRIATES.


Of not only our prominent philanthropists, but
also of ali sober-minded, right-thinking men,
who make no ostentation OF their good deeds,
but have thoroughly at heart the welfare Of
their fellow-man; which has been the object of
The fondest wish of the disgraced aud mortified
father whose fair name has been blasted, whose
waning years have been saddened by the wreck
Of his son; the most fervent prayer of the heart
hreken wife, whose misery is multiplied by each
nightly debauch of her drunken, besotted hus-
band. But it was not until late years that this
subject was attempted to be discussed
is,, any Tor prAcssfSsit ssfssting way endS prS-
sumed any tangible shape. And when
u was proposed TO institute a method of re-
trievinR the unfortunate, whose weaknesses SO
debase themselves and those belonging to them
who should be Its most earnest supporters but
these mothers and sisters whose tears had paid
the price Of the sons and the brothers revels3
These, indeed, they were, as is attested by the
demonstration recently made by the ladies OF
Maryland in order to raise means for the esta6-
hshment of an inebriate asylum at Baltimore
Now, the project Is not mere matter OF desire,
or Of speculation, but living, glorious iaet
In successful operation, producing the
most gratifying results all over the
civilized world We now have these asylums
In Massachusetts,, in New York, in Washington,
in Illinois and in Indiana; we have them in
England, in France, in Russia, and we have one
within an hours ride from our very door, at
Media of which last we propose to speak Yes
terday we paid q visit TO Media and OF course
tarium. This asylum was first chartered to the
Citizens Association, having not only the right
TO exist as corporation for the treatment OF
habitual inebriates, but being also vested with
yisitorial powers over all the almshouses and
public hospitals of the State, wherein persons
were medically treated at the public expense.
This latter power is now but seldom exercised,
and the asylum Is devoted to the revocation OF
persons from the influences of strong drink and
narcotics of all kinds, and is under the manage
ment of the following directors Joseph Par
rish, N. D., President; John M. Maris and Henry
Lewis, vice-Presidents; Joshua A. Weolston,
Secretary; John A. Wright, George Milhken,
Matthew Baird, Samuel Parrish Thomas A.
Scott, and Thomas T. Tasker, Jr. We were
unfortunate in finding that Dr.. Parrish
we were received IN the klndest manner by his
affable and efficient assistant, DR.. Orrin Cooley
who used every endeavor to make our visit
pleasant and instructive. The asylum is quite
large building, originally inteuded as a school
for boys but now rented, so as to afford every
convenience and comfort for its inmates. Each
patient has a room to himself, large, light, and
neatly furnished. The gas consumed in lighting
the building iS there manufactured, and indeed
1t compares very favorably with the luxury for
which we in the city pay so dearly.
The whole house IL heated by steam, so that any
temperature required during the winter season
can be attained. spacious recreation room is
provided, with billiard table and other sources
Of amusement; the library supplies good reading
matter, and handsome piano affords opportu-
patients are allowed the liberty of the building
and grounds, and even of the village, and but
little restraint is imposed upon them that would
not at least be exercised at proper home.
form, infexible rule applied indiscrimi-
nately to all, but 1t is adapted to
Abe circumstances of each particular case. The
time of each gentleman is his own to employ
from breakfast until bedtime as he chooses,
provided he is guilty of no excesses that would
be injurious to his health, or any improperly
that would be scandalous to those about him.
They are permitted to indulge in tobacco moder-
cooked, as the country can afford. The prin-
siple of cure 10 one built upon the bases OF
hygienic, medical, and moral treatment. If
patient Is so far gone that his drink Is to him
almost a second nature, he is given liquor,
not as his appetite Graves, but as his physical
condition absolutely requires. At the same
time, the proper medicines are prescribed for
him and applied in such manner as will
soonest and most surely rebuild his shattered
sonstitution. He is subjected daily, or every
other day, to bath-vapor, plunge, douche,
shower, or medicated, as the circumstances of
the case call for-the facilities for all which are
admirable. Then the recreation, social inter-
eeurse with each other, and the uniformly kind
and gentle manner in which they are
reased by DR.. Parrish and his family,
patients M in cheerful mood which doubtless is
enc of the greatest aids to the cure. The mana
gers do not advocate the total abstinence system
In every case without distinction, as they believe
1t would be productive of more harm than bene-
At; nor do they adopt the plan in vogue In a
Boston establishment, where the patients are
given liquor charged with emetics, fearing the
effects of much such treatment would In a short
space of time ruin even the strongest consti.
tuition; nor do they approve of the Russian
method of pursuing the unfortunates with
that drink which has Doen their bane
saturating every morsel of food with the liquor
nayoring all beverages with that which has beer
the patients specially, and filling the atmo-
sphere of his room with the odor of 1t; the
object being to create the most perfect disgust
and adherence; which seems, however, toe
much like making one used to thing
for II surfeit were called cure IL might
be reasonable to suppose that every man
who drinks to excess Is upon each success
sive drunk cured, for then he certainly
has had q surfeit. But the plan adopted
here is of the simplest, gentlest and most
the debilitated constitution, removing all temp
tations to drink, encouraging recuperation by
the most grateful means that can be devised
and relying In q great measure upon the hearty
cooperation of the patient, for this latter is
necessary as the medicine BATH or diet; and SC
confidently do the doctors rely upon it that the
patients are permitted to stroll over the county
freely even beyond the limits of the village
whore liquor Is to be obtained fol
the asking. 1t Is the rares
occurrence that patient betrays this conf,
Gence by gratifying his passion. A pleasing
feature of the whole Is that a vast majority o.
the patients who have thus far been treated al
the Santarium have been voluntary patients
coming of their own free will TO be redeemed
from the most ruinous of vices, there having
been but two or three persons placed there by
order of the courts, who are authorized by re
cent act of Assembly TO make this disposi
tiOn of inebriates In certain cases. Ant
for tha Of