New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-16
THE LUNACY COMMISSION.

STARTLING TESTIMONY OF FORMER ATTEND
ANT AT THE BLOOAuNGDALE ASYLUM.
The Commissioners appointed by Gov. John
T. Hoffman to investigate the condition OF the lunatic
asyums OF the state OF NewYOrk have almost concluded
their sitngs The Board met at No. lis East Thr-
teths where all those who have any testimony to give
should at once present themselves. Geo. r. Irving,
former attendant in the BloOmlnGdae Lunatc Asylum
was summoned by the Board few days since, ana tes
titled substantially as follows:
know nothing affecting the character or reputation
OF DR. David Triton Brown; know nothing about the
mproprieties toward the patients charged upon DIR.
Brown never him under the influence OF liquor
he general management Of the institution rs decidedly
had The treatment of the patients in the BlOOmngdale
Asylum is Injurious and many OF tue ABUSES pc
ced are known 20 its manager have seen many pa
tents Infused have seen attendant Bradley choke
son Col +. W. Peyster until he was perfectly oseK ~
the face have seen Robert H. Miller, hte attehu.
ant Hall VII intrus the care OF an lnDecS psient
20 bury German lunatie who was IN me ha3it 60, on
pushing the poor fellow down stars ana through me
halls 10 his meals; with every step the German would
kick the patient under ms charge nave Known many
cases or ewdness among me ateehuansi nav AnS"
Of four female attendants who have been Seducedj
know Of child's having been born last christ
mas, the mother being one OF the women Ia the WASH
house priest afterward married inc woman 10 me
father OF the child who was employed aDole the nsutu
ton believe that ne Is SIM employer III the
have the girls in the washhOuso come into the
building during all hours OF the night frequently lntox
Gated; have seen woman employed in the kitchen re-
turn the building at 3p. IN IN Deasty state OF IN
during the employment of 1rask aud Chandler on that
OxicatOn she Is still employed as nave every reason 10
believe II have Hall III almost entirely without an
attendant during the greater part OF the nght this was
hall; through their negligence patient was enabled TO
obtain knife with which he cut his throat the de9h OF
this patient caused considerable trouble and the frends OF
the patient threatened 10 have the investigated
Whercupon DR.. Brown gave Trask lNter or RECON-
mendaion to the Resident Physician at the Northamp-
ton Lunatic sylum, where he received an appointment
and remains 10 this day, the best Of my knowledge
lie left the knife with which the patient committed
suicide aable by the patients bedside; have seen
Dr. Brown more than occasion fall asleep In his
chair when in attendance upon patients think That
the food in instances Is improperly cooked, and
thednin grooms both damp and dismal; the cook
ing istone very lthy manner; this is attributable
10 the carelessness of the marOn who does not attend
10 her duties she ought but deyotes her
time 10 receiving visitors IN the pariOr, instead
of attending to the supervision OF the kitchen
great delays were frequently experienced III getting
food Tor the sick; IL generally necessary TO get
orders from the marOn The physician, aud sometimes
from both, that 10 always required from one to two
hours 10 procure bowl OF beef tea IT, az charged
by Dr. Brown unfaithful when in the institution,
1 would ask him why my salary increased; why my
wife and child were permitted 10 occupy rooms in the
institution, and why their board given free; why
did receive pay than any other attendant; why
that there not patient who left the Asylum
during stay from whom cannot obtain letter or ap
DrOyal