New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-12-21
UOV TO SHELTER THE INSANE.

TIE COTTAGE SYSTEM OF TREATING PATIENTS
SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT IN MASSACHUSETTS.
Boston, Dec. 13.-The forthcoming report OF
the Trustees of the state Iunatc Hospital at Worcester
shows that the experiment Of treating the insane IN
separate communities, which was begun some months
ago progressing satisfactorily. Mcrrck Bemis NJ d.,
the Superinte den gives the following interesting his
tory of the experiment and statements concerning ali
improved method Of dealing with lunatics He says:
| 1t has long been my belief that some new method
might he adopted for the and control OF large pro-
poron of the insane which would afford comfort
and greater prospect OF recovery while u would not ma
teriay increase the of support. If such method
| could open some new opportunities for physical and
mental activity 1t might eventually become the cheaper
s well the better way Of supporting the most unfor
tunate class of fellOwbengs. have in former re-
ports indicated briefly but very frank my views upon
This subject the result Of which has been your petition
to the Legislature loan with which to purchase a
site and permission to sell the stc now occupied
and with the proceeds TO erect such structures as in your
Judgment demanded for the care and control Of the
insane which will give the largest promise OF recovery
and afford the greatest comfort TO those who must
main incurahe. The Legislature granted all your petit
%rcascd and are now occupied. on the estates pur-
chased were six ordinary houses. Coming into
only four Of them were fitted up for patients, and
they have been tupied by G2 insane persons In all
Each cottage is separately administered. All are built
on very nearly the PLAN accommodating from 10 to
G patients. and aiording substantially the comforts and
Sheltered iu shrubbery, the houses have everything
about them attractive and possess all the attractions of
room and sittng-roOm with large airy ana inviting
chambers the second floor. Added TO these tasteful
in every way grateful to the inmates 1t must be
remembered that these houses are no part OF our real
plan BY the OF them, with all the disadvantages per
tanning to Them make honest effort 10 prove that
uladc more useful TO themselves and others can be per-
united To enjoy larger freedom, can I've allowed wider
than has ever yet been accomplished i'll the old compact
structures. The houses thus occupied during more than
five months by CO patients, are situated i'll pleasant
uClGnbOrnOOL, much Travelled thOrOugare,
They not surrounded by fence Of any kind They
have fixtures for security, no fasenngs on the win
dows bars on the doors They every way free
the houses occupied by these same patients before the
invasion disease which drove them from their homes
| They are wclOrdcrcd homes. The morning and the
evening calm. the night is as quiet and Sunday is
| az sacred rs III any other weU-to-do houses.
Having made this small beginning with much less
and anxiety. the question naturally arises To what ex
tent carry this method of management and treat
mcn OF the insanel What proportion Of patients
I've placed under similar care and controls In the
change opinion but the other hand there is every
sSf e be s
their interests The hospital BUILDINGS should be mainly
uSsantia manner brick or stone and made as cheer
economy will permit They should consist Of, first,
hospital proper, containing every facility i'll its construc
genuity devise or skill create This will he best OBJ
tanned by erection OF separate blocks or wings at some
passages corridors. under winch shall be contnuou.
| basement. Each block or wing shall contain within
itself every comfort and every facility for the OF
patients, aud shall be. to all intents and purposes
separate and detached hospital In the lower story
water closets, sitting rooms. biard-rooms, reading
and occasional room for temporary sccluSio
OF excited patients. The lower story should be cog
ncctcd with tho upper story by wide, light and easy
stairways, and This story should contain the sleeping
apartments hathng-roOms, water-closrs, wardrObes
and and rooms for secuS0n. when neccs
sary, also sem.secudcd rooms Tor the sick, and
proper chambers and Offices for the nurses.
| LIGHT AND AIR.
The rooms should he lighted by large and pleasant
windows commanding the most pleasing views the situa
ton will permit. The bamngrOOms wacr-closets and
lavatores should DE light airy and Of materials which
do not absorb moisture Each should he thoroughly
ventilated by separate fines carried to the main vcnt.
ating duct. The public Offices and business offices should
aud Ill 'front.' Of the center. The central
group of blocks or wings should be OF sufficient
capacity accommodate, in the best possible
about third of the whole number of patients destined
10 he managed and controlled in the whole establish
mcnt. So far the hospital proper is concerned the
objects sought are, more perfect and complete vcta-
tion that the atmo here of one ward should not diff
fuse itself through any oncr ward. but should escape ut
into the pure ar while ~ place Is supplied as
speedily by the purcs air obtaiIible from the common
supply of the whole atmosphere outside; more COM
pcte separation Of those requiring special treat
ment. ana needing rest and sccusOn; more sunny and
cheerful aspect various wards and less interference
and discomfort from the general conduct of large hos
pila should NO q, sut9c,cn, con,citv 70 accom-
modac Is to persons each ana should be OF two stories
IN hight. having all day accommodations III the first
story, and all sleeping, and bathing. and dressing accom-
odhcs Ie r sod @ hg snou n
dry The houses should he plainly and substantially
bnt OF brick or stone, plainly Furnished ana should be
he placed at such distances from each other the ex
tent of the estate will permit care being taken only to
Those occupied by the should be at little distance
and somewhat different in character and convenience
from those occupied by wOmc and should he separated
from them by driveway and such other distinction as
may he convenient Each honse should have ITS
should he cultivated by members OF the family Zach
and haionize with the general walk and drive through
the whole grounds. And remote, almost outside the