Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-07-27
LUNATICS.

COL1F'OoCus
LUNATICS. ra CO.
American Asylums Modelled After
London Bedlams-DescrIptio of a
Belgian establishment.
From the New York Sun.
While the medical profession during the
last half century have brought into practice
the beneficial results of many extraordinary
discoveries in the treatment Of physical dis
eases, they have lamentably failed in making
any marked progress in their met hods Of
dealing with mental disorders. To be sure
insane patients are more comfortably hous ed
and clothed and better fed in the large pub
lie institutions devoted to their use than
they were when the usual practice was to
incarcerate respectable men and women in
common jaiis when their brains failed to
work in rational manner; but other than
this there has been little improvement
shown in the means adopted in the man
agement of lunatics. AS for curing insan-
ity, except in cases of slight temporary de-
rangement, that is something that is seldom
expected.
Hospitals for the insane in the United
ObdICc. alu1Oob CAOCDolO1ls diO 1uOQ-
eled after the old London Bedlam, monas-
terry which was given to the city of Lon
don by Henry VIII. in 1547, and converted
into receptacle for lunatics. 1t was called
the Royal Hospital of Bethlehem. This
was soon corrupted into Bedlam, by which
name it has been generally known for sew
eral centuries. And the collective wisdom
of the medical profession of this country,
with very few honorable exceptions, ap-
pears to have rested satisfied in the belief
that buildings designed in imitation of this
gloomy old monastery are better adapted
than any others that could be devised for
the reception of invalids whose malady is
more often than otherwise the result of
mental anxiety or dependency produced by
various causes.
Insanity being a disease of the mental
faculties, it can be effectually treated
through methods which exert direct infu-
ence upon the mind. Dietary regulations
and the administration of medicines calcu-
lated to induce a healthy action
of the brain undoubtedly are use
full as far as they 60; but the chief result
to be desired, restoration of the patient
to reason, can only be reached, if at all, by
the moral effect of such associations and
employment for the body and intellect
as are best calculated to relieve the mind
from the oppressive strain which manifests
its consequences in irrational ideas and &C
tons. 1t would not seem to require much
medical knowledge to arrive at the conclu-
sion that imprisoning man tortured by
uncomfortable dependency in a gloomy
hospital, with persons similarly affected as
almost his only companions, is about the
most efiectual way that could be devised to
aggravate bis malady and render his cure
impossible.
While the great majority of physicians in
Europe and America have adhered to the
old, senseless routine in treating insanity,
very different course has been adopted in
Belgium, where for some centuries the prin-
ciples of common sense that would influence
a doctor in prescribing in case of bodily
ailment have been applied to the treatment
of the insane. In that country is quiet lit
tie town called Gheel, which dming many
generations of inhabitants has served as a
retreat for the victims of mental disorders,
and where at the present time more than
eight hundred lunatics, comprising individ
uals of the most diverse natures and de-
grees of mental alienation, move about
without perceptible restraint in the midst
of the ten thousand people composing the
rest of the population. These lunatics are
under medical care, but instead of being
herded together in hospitals, are confined
to prudent and careful people as boarders,
no person being permitted to board more
than two patients: and in place Of being de-
MED the ordinary privileges Of humanity
they are allowed to 90 about the streets
with almost as much freedom as the other
inhabitants.
The results of this humane and judicious
mode of treatment have been most benefi-
cial. 1t is seldom found necessary, to re-
sort to coercion, even with the most vio-
lent maniacs, who are quartered on small
farms at distance from the town, where
they can be controlled more easily, and
from disturbing the other
patients. The majority Of the insane
are provided with employments suit
ly furnished with amusemen.s to
sideration by the inhabitants of the town,
who have become accustomed 10 their ways
and even if they do not regain their reason
they appear to enjoy themselves fairly. A
great variety of trades are pursued by the
SOHQ6 Ol b16ul aCQulIcus dlUtT
becoming insane. Shoemakers, cabinet
makers, joiners, tailors, and blacksmiths,
all crazy in a greater or less degree,
may be seen working at their respective
crafts, thus contributing to their own sup
port and to their recovery at the same time,
while others engage in agricultural occupa-
tons, which afford the kind of exercise
specially adapted to the needs Of fNany
classes. Although constantly using
scythes, siekles, spades, shears, and other
dangerous implements, no injurious con-
sequences have ensued. Wealthy pa
tients can find accommodations, where they
are provided With eYery lukuIy they may
desire, Including large gardens and gymna-
Sums, horses, carriages, and the like. Sure
ly this is more sensible way of treating
the insane than that generally pursued in
this country, where refined and highly
educated men and women, Tor having a dis
ordered brain, are Condemned to life long
punishment as bitter as that awarded to
the most depraYed and dangerous felons.