Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-01-23
The Eunatic Asylum.

-
The Lunatlc Asylum.
I herewith transmit the reports o.
the board of regents and the super
intendent of the State Lunatic Asy.
lum.
The report of the superintendent
is exceedingly voluminous, and Of
startling interest.
The statement of the privations to
which many of the wretched inmates
have been unhappily subjected by
the inability of the State treasurer
to pay any portion of the ample ap-
preparation made for their care
and support, forms a chapter Of hor-
rors which, in its mildest aspect, dis
credits our humanity and civilization.
I ask for that report your most
prompt and careful consideration.
The humane treatment of the in
sane in asylums provided for their
benefit, where the resources of medi-
cal art-derived from close observa-
ton directed to that noble end-may
minister to their care, in the midst
of beneficial, restraining and soothing
influences, is recognized standard
of the civilization of people. Even
the savage, who is ever at war with
his fellow man, is .awed into pity and
kindly succor in the presence Of the
insane, asif Providence itself; through
1 this awful and mysterious bereave-'
ment, moves him to perform the duty
of a common humanity.
/ therefore most earnestly recon-
mend that an ample tax be speedily
and at once levied for the support of
the Asylum, on the most liberal basis
consistent with our surroundings, and,
to increase and improve its present
accommodations, as far as is now ex-
pedient, in accordance with the re-
concentrations of the superintendent,
as set forth in his report. The pro-
ceeds of this tax, itslevied, should be
sacredly sequestered and faithfully
applied to the charitable object for
which it will be designed.
The superintendents s report abounds
with valuable and timely informa-
ton, collected, with rare diligence,
from the most authoritative sources,
for the benefit of his charge and the
information of the General Assem-
bly,.
The number of patients in the
asylum on the 3lst of October, 1871,
WAS 295-consisting Of 1876 males
and l6O female ; 54 males and 80
females were subsequently admitted
making the whole number treated
during the year 9SS. OF these, Al
were discharged as having fully re-
covered their reason; Z were dis
chargedsimproved, Is unimproved
Is were returned to their homes as
imbecile, and "a have died. There
were still under treatment, October
3lst, 1872, 1884.
1t will be seen that about one
eighth CD Of the patients have been
discharged, in the past year, recov.
cred or improved.
rofH fHtttfeflsuar the flsuar yt#af r. rddffHfuenpIng,s no.
vember l, 1871, was $4,000,
The receipts for the same period
have been $66 ,2S2, ,l9. Ofthat amount
was received
From the State treasurer...... $34 ,SO7 II
From pay patients. 9,26O w
Borrowed from Scott IL Co... 1000 90
From sale Of comptrnller's war
rants drawn OH the appriatn. W,2l4 II
The disbursements were ....... $6G, ,5O6 81
Liabilities due and unpaid at
date of superitend't's report. 62,Ol5 G5
The following table shows on what ac-
soait the present liabilities were incur:
rod
For supplies. ...........".""....... $50, 205 a
Salaries and ges......".."..... 10, 496 30
Furniture and bedding."......" 2,334 81
Minor expenses. Observation-Disclosures" 754 oS
Money borrowed .................." 100000
Due the treasurer ofthe Asylum 224 70
Total liabilities unpaid......... s62,Ol5 s.
The balance Of the appropriation
for the past fiscal year remaining un-
paid is $75,O43 So. Of that sum,
however, $20,2l4 IL have been an
ticipated by the sale of the comptrol-
er-generals warrants, drawn upou|
the appropriation, as shown above
leaving the actual balance Of the ap
preparation $54,829 42.
The merit displayed by the supe-
intendent of the asylum in his etfoJs
-providentially successful-to mai
tain the institution during the fealul
embarrassments of the past en-
months is very commendable. IN t
more than one occasion there 'as :
imminent danger of his being foled
to make his .chQice between the ttri-
BILE alternatives of locking up them J
happy inmates, and leaving the to {
starvation or to lay bare to thisiv- S
ilized community the appalling oec. :
tacle of more than. three !hhrred
lunatics. being driven out int the a
streets. .'. t..i e
1t is proper for me to addas'a
matter of public interest. tlS the
present superintendent DR.. F. .
Ensor) has materially chang the =
mode of treating the insane fAelly :
practiceq in oui State asylum The :
sorrow-laden patients no long pine ="
in the gloomy shadow. of ombre =
walls that shat out every eerful " u
sight or sound. They areow en- q q
vironed by music and flows, and +
furnished with attractive gles End e. C.
light and interesting literate, and = :
are re allowed to indulge iweekly o. o.
musical reunions, all Of vch' tend y y
to divert them fF0m that preston i
of feeling which is said 70 rent the y, y,
most difficulty phbassss in in tfcases of -
the insarie:: "'''sa - l.
f The curative treatment, Insanity ",
is matter that deeply Germs the \ \
whole people Of this Stain view of -
tie fact cited by Dr. En-, and at T.
tested by the highest avrity, that =; =;
in every community inie United y. VI
| CL.i.. ooJ Er.o~o L., ,oo,,,,1, VI