The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-04-19


H HosPITAI ron THE IssAsE.-
DR.. NJ. B. Hullihen, one Of the Di-
rectors Of the State Insane Asylum, re-
turned home yesterday, and We are un-
der obligations TO him for much infor.
alton in regard TO the Hospital, Of
general interest to the people Of the
State. The Board Of Directors Is com.
posed Of nine gentlemen. eight Of
whom were present at the meeting
held on the 1st inst, Messrs. Monroe,
Of Hampshire Withrow, Of Green
brier; McGinnis, Of Cabell; Shaw. Of
Mason; Hullihen, Of Ohio; and Ed.
wards, Bennett and Wofindin, Of Lew
iS. Judge Edwards. Of Lewis county,
was chosen President Of tho Board,
The first duty oftha Board, after Of.
fecting an organization, was the in.
spection Of the building aud the con-
dition Of the patients; and Il lisa mat
ter Of public cOngratulation that. after
. full and thorough examination. the
Board reports that not only is the
building model Of cleanliness and
good order, but the condition Of the
patients were much better than had
been anticipated. As has been shown
heretofore in the columns Of the Regis.
ter. the cost Of keeping the patients in
the State Asylum Is about half what Il
costs in similar institutions; but the
manner in which they are kept. fed,
aud clothed and attended to in the
West Virginia Hospital, is admitted to
be FAR superior to any other like iuS.i.
tuition in this country or Europe.
On the LIST Of October, 1874, there
were in the Hospital 345 patients;
there have been 16 admitted since that
time, and 16 have been discharged; SO
that the number now in the Hospital
10 345.
The Board ordered the early com.
pletion Of the new section north Of the
centre building. II is expected to be
completed by the first Of August next,
and thus will be afforded aecommoda-
tons for so or 10 new patients. This
addition, It Is confidently expected,
will meet all demands for room for at
least two years 10 come, aud will re.
lieye all the jails Of tho State Of the
white patients confined therein. II is
earnestly hoped by the Board, howey-
er-and We understand that such a
recommendation wilt mado-that the
Legislature make 40 appropriation at
the November session for the erection
Of a building (iu the rear Of the main
buildipg) for the reception Of the COL
ored insane. There are but a dozen
or 90 Of this class in the State, and a
suitable building can be prepared for
their accommodation alta cost not ex-
eeeding IS 900; and they can be cared
for without the expense Of addition
al officers. In this matter It is contra
~ to tho principles VI humanity to
talk Of "ciyil rights" The white pa.
tients would tear TO pieces a negro I
placed in their wards. AT least. su,h
Is the experieucein Southern hospitals,
where this mixture Of patients has
been attempted.
II may DO proper TO speak at thi,
time Of The proposition made during
the late scusiOnof tho Legislature, 70
reduce materially the salaries Of the
officers Of the Asylum. The Board
very properly took this matter under
consideration. and we're mot only fully
satisfied with tho present salaries. but
rather surprised that the present Ell
cient system could be sustained at
such Sigh. expense. To illustrate
The Asylum at Weston has 345 pa.
tents. The Superintendent and bis
assistant compose tue entire medical
force Of the institution; and that they
perform their duties very satisfactorily
every gentleman familiar with the in
s,itution is we'll satisfied. The Super.
intendent receives $4,000 per aunum
the assistant, $l,50O. We give be-
low salaries Of superintendents, the
number Of assistant physicians and
their salaries, the number Of patients,
aud the cost per capita per week Of
keeping them in several Of the insane