Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-04-17
Provision for the Insane of the State.


COLUMBUS, Marcn % loiZ.
Editor lSteNbenUiIe Herald:
Some weeks ago, in an editorial of tht
Herald, alluding to County Infirmaries
| you made a courteous, but direct appea
to me personally, to see that something
was done by legislation to provide for thC
insane now compelled to remain in thess
institutions throughout the State. Since
oelng here L have given much attention
10 this subject in connection with the du-
ties Of the committee on Benevolent In
sltutions. The delay OF any response has
occurred only from a desire to be able
more fully to present the facts as they
have been developing.
The condition of the insane in County
lntrmaries in Ohio, is the great public re-
proach of the State. 1t dishOnOrs not
only our Christianity, but our very civil
lzation. 1t is impossible for the insane to
be properly cared for in County Infirma-
ries without all the appliances Of a regu-
lar asylum-the State of Ohio is now
fastening to meet this great public need.
Three years ago the Central Asylum was
burned, largely reducing the capacity OF
our State institutions of this kind. Our
population, and, consequently, the num-
Der of our insane is constantly increas-
ing. There are now in the State, under
public and private treatment, including
those in County Infir.i aries, about three
houSdnd insane persons. The Southern
Asylum at Dayton, with large addition
just completed, accommodates $50 pa
uents. This is under the care of DIR.
Gundry, who has made it a model of
cleanliness, order and humane treatment.
The Northern Asylum at Newburgh,
near Cleveland, just enlarged and re-
paired, can now provide for $50 more. 1t
Is under the care of DIR. Lewis, and its
management is not only an honor to him,
but credit to the State. The asylum at
Longview, near Cincinnati, is a county
institution, with capacity OF 400 patients.
The Stale has now nearly one hundred
insane there, for which it provides by
contract. Truth would not warrant me
in speaking of this institution in the
same high terms have OF the others, so
Will say nothing. The State is build
ing an asylum at Athens, which will
contain 500 patients, and which will
probably be completed in a little more
than a year. Three miles west of Column
bus, on beautiful rolling farm of three
hundred acres, the Central Asylum is
now in process of erection. This will
accommodate nearly 1000 patients. 1t is
not possible that this can he finished in
less than two years, but when completed
1t will be the largest and most perfectly
constructed and appointed asylum in the
world. 1t will be IRE PROOF, simply be-
cause there is nothing to burn, aud most
thoroughly ventilated. DIR. Peck, whose
devotion to this great branch of science,
as well as his large experience, so emf
nently qualify him for the post, gives
his whole time to supervising all the de-
tails of this work, so that nothing will be
lacking which skill, science and energy
can accomplish.
These institutions, when completed,
are designed to accommodate all the in
sane OF the State, and will place Ohio, in
this great, humSne and benefcent enter
prise, in the same rank she has so nObly
earned in regard to all her public and
benevolent institutions. The State is
now going on as fast as it safely can with
these buildings, but considerable time
must be occupied in their completion
In the mean time many of the insane
must necessarily be cared for in infirma-
ries, and il is the imperative demand,
not of benevolnnce only, but of humani-
", that more efficient means be made
use Of by every county in the State, for
impTo ying their condition. It is the no.
blest characteristic of modern, and espec-
tally of Christian civilization, and its
tenderest care and supremest efforts
alike are exerted in behalf of the lowly,
the destitute, the helpless. the unfortu-
nate. Above all others, the insane are
the wards of our common humanity.
J. T. UPDEGRAFF.