New-York tribune., 1872-09-03
MORE ABOUT BLOOMINGDALE
A WEEKS EXPERIENCE IN THE QUIET
WARDS

WARDS.
A "sFCOND-CLAss BOARDING -HOUsEr FOR COM
PULSoRY BOARDERs-FULL DESCRIPTION OF
TIE TREATMENr-A CLEAR PROFIT ON THE
WEEKLY INCOME OF $947 A wEEK-ANxIETY
OF THE PHYSICIANS TO GET RID OF PA
TIENTs FOR WHOM WRITS OF HABEAs HAVE
BEEN SECURED.
TIE TRIBUNE reporter who visited Boomingdale
Lunatic Asylum TO investigate the internal cond-
tion Of the institution had passed four days in the
LODGE devoted to the reception Of the worst pa
tients. During that time, on Friday, Aug. 10, the
building had been visited by two Governors Of the
institution, who had made only hasty tour OF OBJ
servatIon through Hall XII The reporter the latest
patient. was not even noticed, although he had
purposely seated himself on bench in the hail. so
rs to see all that was done. The inspection OF the
hall did not occupy ge minutes, and the reporter
was informed that names of the patients, as re-
ported by the keepers, merely verified Dy the
Governors This, moreover, was the only visit,
other than by the physicians during the entire stay
of THE TRIBUNE reporter in both buildings.
1t must be stated also that, although three or four
of the more quiet patients on this hall had been per-
mItted to pass into the frontyard and to walk about
with the attendants, the reporter who, trusting
alone to the haggard appearance which the ilrst TWO
days mental and physical exertion had gwen, did
not simulate insanity, was never permitted to leave
the building. This was perhaps proper enough IN
so recent an arrival, but the poor. old, childish
Englishman HI, was not seen to leave the hall;
nor the German, s., afflicted with softening of
the brain; nor the tall young man, l., Of whom
the keeper, Townsend, told the reporter such a
tho al md nalgip "
friends of these patients perhaps pay just as much
for their maintenance as THE TRIBUNE paid for its
reporter.
TRANSFERRED TO QUIET WARDS.
Late in the afternoon of Sunday, Aug. IS, DR..
Burrill and young friend entered Hall Al. The re-
porter was soon after informed that he was to be at
once transferred to Hall ", IN the other building.
As he had seen everything which he could expect to
find on the hall, he hailed the news with pleasure
He proceeded to his cell, and, having obtained one
of his satches which, contrary to rule he was told,
had been kept in his roOm he was conducted by the
tall Townsend across to the other building and was
assigned a room on Hall ", the second floor.
His room adjoined the stairway, and was in great
contrast to the cell which he had just quilted Ii
had two clOthes-presses, bureau, two beds small
table, and washstand. The floor was covered with
carpet Of cheerful colors The attendant,
Sweetman throughout the entire stay of the re-
porter, occupied one of the beds in his room. He
always treated the patient" ciyily, and never
failed to respect his harmless wishes when 1t was
not necessary to "see the doctor"
The supper bell was sounded early after the re-
pOrters arrival in fact before he took formal pos
session of his room. He proceeded By way of the
stairs to the eatingroom the ground floor, and
was permitted TO take the seat at the table of
attendant Bradley which he had before occupied
during his first meal in the institution. The COM
paratiye cleanliness of the dining-r room, which
had never been thought of before, was now
seen. The stay in Hall XI. is sufficient to make
ANYTHING palatable, if clean and served up
on white linen and china. Although there
was no difference in the bill of fare
the reporter was assured that the same fare ident-
cally was served at both buldings-in the present IN
stance the accompaniment Of cups saucers, milk,
sugar butter and side dishes made the meals vastly
more enjoyable. The attendants, also, of whom
there were three in the southern and two in the
northern dIning-rooms were polite, II not perhaps
as obliging in few instances as they should have
been. Evident partiality manifested by Bradley Tor
a certain patient was unprotessonal Ihe great ana
crownng fault Of twO-thirds Of the meals at tins as
well as the other hall wasthat the bill OF fare partOok
of sameness which detracted greatly from the other
wise good credit of the culinary management. The
insects which the reporter had found in the sugar
bowl on his first supper in this place were never
present afterward during his stay. The amount of
food dealt out by the attendants was scarcely suh
cient for any convalescng patient. Although the
patients did not dine Ia carte the following bills
offare are reproduced from careful record made of
the meals. The fact must be recalled that the
food was placed on the plates by the attendants. and
"a rule no more was to be had. Exceptions in the
case of meat are remembered. but regards
pies. puddngs or fish. This looks gayer at $50 per
week.
Breakfast-COld sliced ham, bread, butter and coffee
Dnuer-Cod sliced ham. two boiled potatoes, sliced
tomatoes, bread and one piece OF PIE No butter coffee
sHpper-Bredd, butter, tea, two peaches and one
"ginger snap"
BreakastCold sliced veal bread, butter cracked rice
or wheat coffee.
toes boiled in the skin, bread and butter.
The reporter was discharged so soon after supper
that he had no time to make the entries
If further proof be wanting the fact might be
noted that a system of appropriating the food of
Others before after their arrival prevailed to
considerable extent. One instance, although of
trivial importance in itself is interesting showing
the lack of proper attention the part of the
Bradley. Some dessert placed to the right of the
reporters plate on one occasion was seized by
venerable patient known as Count" F, who sat
on his right The attendant never as much as re-
ferred to the matter. Soup, of the most nutri-
tious and easiest made dishes in any boarding house
menu was never served during the reporters stay in
either hall pie only three times, and then second
piece refused
ADJUSTMENTS, COMFORTS. AND PRIVILEGES.
Returning to the floor above a billiard-room was
seen in which game was going on. 1t was well
lighted, and appeared to be the source of real en-