Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-04-03

j and fragrance might aid In reawaksninR
the long lost emotions Of hope snd Joy Of
tho wtthered heart within.
The rooms are large and well ventilated,
and opening into q cspacious verEnda OF
lattice-work, wherea sufficient fresh ar
and exercise may at all times b0 enjoyed.
Their bedding Is such as is found In most
private houses-the food as varied and
we'll prepared as that on any ordinary ta-
bl0s
REMARKS IN GENERAL.
THE persons in immediate charge of the
inmates I have found careful and kind,
and / believe, perform their duties con-
scientiouslys
J. do not pretend, as yet, to treat insani-
ty with all the needful appliances which
Its pecUliarities require, and which are
only to be found In institutions planned
and furnished for the purpose.
L have, however, by considerable out
lay, adapted the house occupied so much
TO the object as to be able, to 3 considers
BILE extent, to secure many of the necessa-
~ arrangements for managing, success.
fully, the insane. I hope I may become,
before long prepared TO offer every essen
tiil facility for their treatment.
ON INSANITY.
The ratio of recoVeries in all diseases IL
much affected by their duration before
treatment, and In none more than in in
sanity. have cured, in hospital of the
kind, rs much as eighty per cent. of all
recent cases, that is, those who had been
diseased not over two months, while of
chronic cases not ten per cent. recover.
In addition, therefore, to the human
ity Of the thing, good policy, in
the way of economy, should incite
all who may have friends afflicted with
this most melancholy of all maladies, to
seek early treatment, as acute cases are
usually cured in q few months, while the
chronic becomes a perpetual care and OK.
pense to the family or community during
life, which is often not materially short
eiied by the disease. The large number
who become hopelessly insane, is due to q
want Of hospital accommodations often,
bat most frequently to q neglect of treat
nlent during the early stages.
Experience has, long since. established
the fact that 1t Is q disease which cannot
bs successfully managed at home or In
condition, but usually their bodily habits
are such as to render this impracticable.
l add these remarks from a desire to in
d1ce all who have g special interest in
those thus diseased, to seek help while 1t
may avail much; perhaps ave themselves
the sad annoyance of the usually bolster
o1s and sometimes mischievous and
vicious ways of acute cases, or the specta-
Gle Of loved Q doomed to a living death
-'bereft Of the high faculties which ally
a. to angels and unite us to God" and
having teebler instincts, sunken in the
scale of animated nature below the beasts
that perish.
Wretched indeed Is he In whom the
Light Of reason has been dsrkened,
or CLEANS but as q dim taper, de-
luding and ~bewtldering the disturbed
faculties and leading into mszes of confu-
sion, instead Of guiding into the paths Of
truth and order. To such, but q veglts.
] v existence remains. To them, neces-
sitry discipline Is but usurpAtion and ty-
riiny-the ministrations of friendship
the offerings of love are but meddling
intrusion, or unappreciated, because un-
felt. They are truly the children of mis-
fortune, and Justly deserve our Warmest
s,fmpsthies. Too long has the supersti-
tious notions Of antiquity been allowed
to linger about them. The poor lunatics-
supposed to be possessed of demons-the
disease now is considered a reprosch, and
To this day the occursnce of case in q
family Is not regarded very differently.
They are Eecreted and confined, until in
hopeless arrangement the: so consid-
cred, derogstory fact becomes, necessarily
dlvulged.
Gentlemen, when we reflect that any
VI usi VI anJDOOy 0LSoa may ~ any
time, under the existing causes Of bodily
injury disease, or the many great and d.
vsrsihed moral use and material
shocks to which we are all so much ex-
posed In these times be attacked, should
1t not unite us in an effort TO remove this
idea Of reproach from the popular
nind3 Let us show that, like most
other diseases, it is generally durable, like
them a disease Of the body; like them,
.alnenisble to proper treatment. We will
claim for them the fostering care of the
State as well as the active sympathies
o. individuals, and before long hope to see
every section Of our State adorned and
with such anumber of these noble
dedicated to their use ss will Sc
cure an asylum for them all, thus fulfill
the obligations of our modern Chris
tiRn civilization to these sad children of
With this I present q statement of &C.
counts between the county court and
myself. All of which Is respectfully sub
JHO. r, ALLEN, NJ. D.
Superintendent Southwestern Insane
Hospital.