The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1874-02-14
EditorIa, correspondence.
vislT TO THE ASYLUM FOR THE IN
SANE.

AUSTIN, Feb. 10.
Through the courtesy of DR.. ID. r.
Wallace, the newly appointed Supers
in.endent, l to,day had the pleasure,
in some respects mourniul pleasure,
but pleasure nevertheless, of a visit
to the Asylum for the Insane. Th:
drive out, two and half miles
in a northeasterly direction, is one Of
the finest of a city famous for its
pretty drives. The location of the
Institution is admirable, sff'ording a
fine view OF the city with Its pictur.
esque environs, and yet as complete
y secluded, IN other respects, as il
hid away in some Arcadian vale.
The building itself is a massive
structure OF Texas white rock-a ma
terial by the way, the use of which in
is public buildings, the State has
no cause to regret. The plan is n
large central building of FIVE stories
with two wings. Only one Of the
wings has yet been erected. The
other would greatly improve appear
ances, as 1t would also increase the ca.
pacity of the institution, which, at
present Is not equal to the demand.
An appropriation of some sixty o.
eighty thousand dollars was made, l
believe by the last Legis-
lature for this purpose and whether
it shall be deemed best to complete
the building in accordance with the
original plan, or to adopt the "cot-
tage system" now most in favor in
Europe and also in the older States
Of America, it is to be
hoped that the capacities of the In
stitution may he splendidly in
creased commensurately, at least,
with the demand. Of all the unfor-
tunates, there are none SO depends
ent on the State as tie insane.
The number Of inmates as patients
is now one hundred and twenty-five;
some only partially demented, many
hopelessly insane.
All ages are represented, from the
old man to the little girl. and also all
grades; though, from appearances
the great majority are from the poor
and uneducated classes of society.
Under the conduct of DR.. Bibb, the
intelligent and very accommodating
Assistant Physician, was much in>
terestsd in looking through the differ
ent wards, in deserving the various
phases or phenomena OF mental de-
rangement, and in examining the
general arrangement and numerous
special devices to meet the waits and
requirements of the various sufferers.
My space does not admit of a descrip>
ton In detail suffice it, that with all
the present imperfections OF the Insti,
tuition, the observers mind Is filled
alike with pleasure and with aston.
ishment at the success of human phi.
lanthrOpy inits application to the in>
sane.
The grounds of the Institution are
ample, including a flower yard, a
pretty grove in front, a farm in the
rear, an orchard, vineyard and vege.
table garden to the right, all Of
which, when developed with proper
care and attention, will prove invalu.
able to the Institution. Also, two
large separate enclosures for the use
of the patients In taking exercise and
fresh air.
The horse and stock yards are also
admirable in arrangement, and l was
especially pleased to see that in pro-
viding milk and butter, the State sets
the example of keeping only the I'M
proved stock, and of keeping them as
good milchers deserve to be kept.
The HennerY is also alike extensive
and ingenious in arrangement, con-
tanning no less than dozen separate
apartments for as many different
species of fowls. Here also the i'm
ported stock has been largely intro.
duced, and one sees with pleasure the
different varieties Of the more famous
fowls from all quarters Of the globe.
As before remarked, the grounds
are naturally very pretty, and pos
aessed of great adantation to tla nnr.