The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-02-26
The Asylum at WestOn-The SAIL
Sulphur PrOpOsIltOn.


Editors Of Register.
Having had, recently, occasion to
visit the Insane Asylum at Weston
for the purpose OF seeing an untortu-
nate friend confined there. must con-
fess to my astonishment at the order
and convenience which, to the casual
observer, is prominent in every depart
ment OF the institution. For instance
,here is a railroad in the basement
connecting with the kitchen and bake
house, which runs the whole length OF
the building, passing the dumb walters
which convey the food OF the patients
from story to story noiselessly and quiz
etly. The drainage and ventilation
are not and cannot be surpassed by any
similar institution in the country. A
large reservoir built on an eminence.
furnishes an ample supply Of water to
the highest story in the building thus
obviating the great want Of the instru-
ton of'the same character which was
burned in Ohio the scenes which
occurred there are too fresh in the
memory OF the people to be forgotten.
The heating OF the building is on the
most approved and efficient system,
giving those in authority the power to
increase or decrease the temperature at
will. The cleanliness Of the respective
wards; the comfortable bedding and
sleeping apartments OF the patients,
each OF which has a hot air register,
and also fue to carry off the foul air.
The bath rooms of each ward, with
all their conveniences and ample sup
" OF hot and cold water, must stricke
the visitor with mingled feelings OF
pride and astonishment, that our State
has such an institution, where those
poor unfortuuates are 90 kindly and
skillfully treated.
must here tender my thanks 10 the
skilliil and corteous Medical Superiu-
tendent for his kindness to me, strange
visitor, in showing me through the
building, engine house, landry, and
the surroundings; also for his kind con-
sideration ior those who have friends
among the unfortunates.
After arriving home l was sstound-
ed TO read in the papers, OF PROPOSE.
ton before the Legislature to buy lot
of dilapidation and sterllity in Monroe
county ior second Lunatic Asylum,
and our first one unfinished Your
correspondent frequently passed the
Salt, Sulphur during the late unpleasant.
ness, and is confident in the belief that
those buildings can never be utilized
for house for the insane. The diff
Guilty of heating building OF that
character, could not be overcome with
out vast expense; the building Of an
engine house, boilers and machinery, q
new laundry, gas house, water works
and force pumps. There ia no coal on
the ground and scsnt supply OF tim.
Der. A medical superintendent and
complete corps OF assistants, would
have to be provided, when all those
requisites are already At Weston. And
do you call that economy
lean that the probable cost OF
erecting the next three story section OF
the institution at Weston and COM
pleting the came, will be about $780,
600. 1t will contain from 80 to 100
additional patients, the same medical
superintendent and assistants can take
charge Of the increased number with
out additional cost to the State. The
Salt Sulphur buildings cannot be heated
with the necessary belongings for the
sum OF $4,000. DENocRAr.