Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-05-01
TREA TMENT IN INSANE ASYL UlfS
Ily Prof John q OrdronauN, III. h, N. ~.
state Commissioner In Lunacy'


possible wrongs done 10 the insane when
in the custody OF asylums. 1t is always
the case that we fear that which is shroud-
ed from view, and suspect those agencies
whose operations we are not In position
TO follow. The removal of friend TO an
asylum, and the fact of his forcible deten-
ton there, carries With il a sense of pain,
and a reluctance 10 believe that this is in
any sense necessary or indispensable.
Hence, we ask ourselves whether this Is
not lnflcting hardship upon him, and pun
ishing the victim of disease instead of COM
furling and helping him TO bear his great
af1liction. All these are legitimate feelings,
which only need light and guidance TO pre-
vent them from obstrucling the very cure
they would promote.
There Is a natural sensitiveness in the
public mind touching the care and treat
ment Of the insane, and this Is heightened
by the fact that necessary part Of this care
and treatment involves the deprivation Of
personal liberty. Much Of this sensitive
ness is undoubtedly exaggerated by peri
odcal appeals to public sympathy, and the
recital OF cases Of alleged improper deten-
ton, or cruel treatment of patients in lun-
attic asylums II l may be allowed to speak
from a somewhat extensive observation
and inspection of asylums, both in Europe
and this country, should say that it is an
exceptional thing for any patient to be
abused in them. That it may, and has oc-
Cured, is no more necessary to deny than
ii is that some professors of religion have
broken their vows and proved faithless
but no sensible person would make this
the foundation for an argument against re-
igiop, nor, by parity Of reason, should
they uhe former) against lunaiic asylums.
1t 80 happens, however, that every one
has his own ideas Of insanity, and deems
himself competent TO speak of the treat
ment which should or should not be en-
ployed. Deprivation of liberty is only an
incident in that treatment, and would new
er have been resorted TO bad experience
not shown that, in the majority Of instan-
ces, it can not be dispensed with. No one
sees any wrong in restrsing delirious pa
tient, nor in doing the same 10 a maniac
and this rule OF degrees is no where better
considered than in asylums. Only the abb
solutely violent are under restraint, and
the others are classified, as far as the struc-
ture OF the institution will permit, accord
ing to their grades of quietness and self
control. If the institution be crowded, as
most are, some patients necessarily must
| be incommodcd and mis-classfed. But
the superinten dent is no more responsible
for this than hotel keeper, who, by law,
is compelled to take all travellers. Public
asylums are public property. The State
has the right to send any of its insane wards
TO them, and the superintendent can not
| refuse them admission.
1t may happen that an attendant may
abuse patient when attacked by him, but
these are precisely the things against which
every precaution is taken. Attendants in
asylums occupy the most trying and re-
spOnsible Of positions, receiving every kind
| Of abuse, Physical aud moral, and being
required in turn TO bear and forbear on all
occasions. Does any one lake that into ac-
count in bringing general accusations
against them? Besides in all well order
ed public asyluns no attendant is lefl alone
with patients. Another is present to aid
him in maintaining order, and to be a wit
ness in case ho should do anything wrong.
But what motive can he have in wrong
doing, when his place depends upon his
behavior? Or how can he hope to escape
detection when so many eyes are supervis-
ing his conduct?
Then, again, do people reflect upon the
fact that the insane are not converted into
angels by their malady2 They practice the
same vices which they did before. The
liar still lies the swearer still swears the
brutal are violent and the hypocrite de-
cetful; while many, previously kind, gen.
tie aud pure, become noisy, profsne and
leud. Are these persons testimony to be
taken, unquestioned and uncorroborated
simply because they are insane. Were
10 act upon the complaints which are laid
before me officially by lunatics from among
the seven thousand committed TO my
charge, l should have all the supcrinten'
dents Of the asylums, both public and pri.
vate, in New York and Two thirds of theil
attendants indicted for murder, attempt a
murders, and assaults with dangerou,
weapons. In all such cases l exercise my
judgment, precisely as I would in any 9th
er judicial inquiry, and take nothing fol
granted simply because II is uttered with.
in the walls of an asylum. To me it /:
neither higher nor lower testimony from
the accident of its locality. / weigh il i'm
partially, and under the light of its owl
circumstances. Force Is undoubtedly a
times employed to cnerce patients ant
that force, If exhibited to quiet man
whether sane or insane, would constitute
| Il Z. Al.
the authority under which be is placed
cannot he reduced TO subordlnaton b,
reading to him the Riot Act, or the Ser
, mon on the Mount and employing force
} in the way in which II usually is applied
is neither assaulling nor abusing him
! The question Is not whether he knows bet
ter, or does not know better than he acts
but whether he will obey, being in the po
; slton legally of child towards a schoo
} teacher, who stands in loco PARENTS, aut
! may do all that parent may in like cir
, cumstances.
/ do not think II worth my while to dis
; cuss the question Of the probity or absenc
} of probitY of superintendents of publi
T asyluns. The managers who select them
may safely be assumed to have inquire,
into their moral character, as well as thei
professional qualifications, beforehand
And presume their good fame, as the ba
sis OF their tenure of Office, is as dear (
them as TO any other class of professions
, gentlemen. To charge them with con
/ niving habitually at the improper confine
, ment of sane persons, or of permitting th
abuse Of patients under their care is nc
worthy of refulation. They may occasion
) ally detain convalescent patient for oh