Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-07-11

Northampton we also found large yard
decorated with shrubs, and yet scarcely
enclosed where the more dangerous of the
patients might exercise and in the central
part of this yard an artificial mound had
been made, enabling these unfortunates to
enjoy the beautiful landscape. At Brattlo-
boro we found nothing of this kind, except
some small yards, enclosed with high and
close board fences, without tree, shrub, or
even grass, TO relieve their untdiness. We
were told, II Is true, that other classes of
patients had exercise In labor upon the
farm, or in walks taken under the direc-
ton of their keepers, but for this class no
effort looking toward opportunity for out
door exercise or amusement seems to have
been m dc. The cost of such yards as the
one at Northampton can be but trifling,
and we recommend that suitable yards
should be built. We also find at North
ampton nearly every evening the patients,
or at least as many of them rs are able, are
collected together in the chapel of the asy-
lum, and some of the officers Of the institu-
ton read, or cause to bc read to them,
poetry or prose, and entertain them with
mhoINt VI " itNNuit, lUui. putltnlS
minds are thus for tho time turned from
themselves or The particular subject of their
mania into other channels, and in the lam
euage of DR.. Earl, the superintendent, fare
relieved much more rapidly, and their
minds regulated and much sooner restored
than they would be without this diver
sion" No such exercises are practised at
L..
incidentally, that Dr. Draper, the new
superintendent, has introduced them some.
what.
whIlc ut Southampton, wo were prosont
at one of these evening meetings, and DIR.
Minis, the assistant superintendent, read
selections from Dickens, and there was
music interspersed, the chapel being fur
nished with piano and an Estey Cottage
Organ. We judge that about three hundred
of the patients were present, and they
were orderly and seemed Interested. DR..
Earl kindly furnished us with copies of
the annual reports, from one of which
that of 1s6s.-we copy the following list of
exercises had in the year previous:
81. Exercises in Chapel on the Sabbath,
No. Days.
Divine worship in the afternoon, so
.. Exercises in Chapel on secular
evenings,
Scripture reading and sacred music, III
Sacred music and reading of poetry, so
Sacred music and reading of prose, 81
Lectures, 81
Other Entertainments,
8. Evening Entertainments in the Pa
TENTS Hall,
Exhibition with magic lantern, 2
4. Entertainments in the rotunda,
Dance in the evening, 81
5. No gathering, "a
Total. 1866
We find that punishments are sometimes
inflicted at the Vermont Asylum, and that
the punishment known as bathing las been
inhicte upon patients by the attendants,
and by the order of the superintendent, in
the manner following The patient, for
some offence, or supposed offence, is taken
to the bath room, his hands tied, laid upon
his back in the bath tub, and the faucet
turned. allowing stream of cold water TO
run upon the head and face while the body
is immersed in tepid wafer, and is so kept
until relieved by the attendant. While we
are satisfied that restraints are necessary TO
prevent the delirious from injuring them
selves and others, we cannot find language
strong enough TO express our indignation
that punishment of any kind os such should
be resorted TO by the officerssor employees
of said asylum, or be in any manner in
and
spOnsblc beings; and would recommend
The passage by the next Legislature Of some
law with severe penalties attached, that
these abuses may be corrected. Your com
nit toe inquired Of the superintendents at
Northampton and Concord, whether pun
ishments were ever inflicted in the institu-
lions under their charge, who replied that
punishments as such were not known with
them, and that they would not suffer the
inniclion of any kind Of punishment.
Your committee believe that there should
be a radical change in the laws, regulating
the admission of patients, and that the
statute of 1855 ought TO he repealed. That
statute provides that medical examiner
should he appointed by the Court Of Cham
Gerry Of Windbam County, whose certificate
of the insanity of any person proposed for
admission should be conclusive proof of
the fact. Under this statute the court APP
pointed Dir. Rock well, Sen, the superin-
tendent of the asylum, medical examiner,
and continued him in that Office during the
remainder of his uperintendency. This
appointment, as might be naturally sus-
pected opened the door for fraud and chi
canery upon the part of some of the officers
Of the institution. At Burlington in
Joseph A. Stockton, person co.,
fined in the asylum as insane, was brought
before Judge Pierpoint on a writ of Habeas
Corpus, and at that hearing William Rock
well, Jr., on beha fof the asylum, produced
what purported to be the original certifi-
cate of DIR. ockwell, Sem, certifying TO
Stockton's insanity, which paper was dat
ed as of the date of Stockton's admission
as a patient; and claimed through counsel,
that the certificate under The statute of 1855
was bar 10 further proceedings. Judge
Perpoint so held and recommitted Stock
ton without any examination as to his san
ity or insanity. Stockton, being citizen
of another state, applied TO the United
States Courts for relief, which was afforded
him and he was discharged. DIR. William
Rockwell, Jr., in his testimony before the
committee, admitted that he dated the GER
tificate back; that 1t vas a copy; that the
original was not in his possessions; and that
in fact he never, to his knowledge, had
seen the original, and that this paper on
which Stockton was recommitted was made
after he (Stockton) had escaped from the
asylum. We deem the foregoing fact
sufficient commentary on the statute of
1856. We believe that legislation looking