Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-12-01
THE VERMONT ASYLUM.
Report Of the Special Legislative Con,
mittee.

Your committees, 10 whom was referred
that part of the Governors message relat-
ing to the insane, beg leave to state that
although they were appointed by each
house as separate standing committees, yet
they have acted jointly in their investiga-
lions, and, therefore, take the liberty of
submitting their conclusions in Joint re-
port.
Before entering upon statement of our
finding of facts and the conclusions dedu-
chile tberefrom, 1t may be pertinent to give
BRIEF resume OF the oten-repeated history
and relation of the asylum for the insane at
Brattleboro TO the state.
The institution had its origin in beouest
by Mrs. Anna Marsh, of Hinsdale, New
Hampshire, OF ten thousand dollars, and
was incorporated by the Legislature in No
vember, 1884. From tho years 1885 TO 1913
the state donated, in a series of INSTALL
ments, the sum of twenty-three thousand
dollars for tho benefit of the institution and
by the terms of tho acts OF appropriation
passed in 1910 and 1913 Chat of lS43 being
the last appropriation to aid in building)
the state reserved lien upon the real es-
tate the corporation, to be enforced when
ever the institution should cease to exist
for the purposes contemplated in its char
ter. Shortly after our appointment, we re-
quested the commissioner for the insane,
DIR. Atwater of Burlington, and the super
intondent of the asylum, DR.. Draper OF
Brattleboro, TO meet us at Montpelier,
which they did; and such information up-
on the questions at issue was at that meet
ing obtained as was practicable. After
wards on the last day Of October, we visit
ed the asylums at Brattleboro and North
ampton, Massachusetts, making as careful
examination and comparison of the two in
stitutious and their methods of operation
as we were able in the time expended.
Subsequently, we again met the commits
sioner and superintendent at Montpelier,
concluding our Investigations at that hear
ing.
Is the treatment of the insane at Brattle-
boro asylum successfully This question
we deem TO be the one of paramount i'm
portance and upon its. solution practically
depends the whole issue.
Has the institution the means and appli-
ances which, If brought into proper use,
leads us 10 the consideration of the location
and construction of the asylum buildings,
their capacity and adaptation for the pur-
poses used.
The buildings are located about one mile
from the depot at the beautiful village or
Brattleboro, having 10 their immediate vi
cinity grounds and surroundings afTording
most satisfactory opportunity for outside
exercise. The main or principal structure
stands upon the north side of the road lead
ing from Brattleboro westerly, aud the So
called Marsh building upon the south side
of the road, opposite tho main buildings.
Their external appearance is not that OF a
"huGe pile of brick and morlar," but in
architectural design and construction is
such as would rank fairly with other build
inGs of like character in the country. The
internal arrangement of tho rooms in the
principal buildings, as TO size, light, clean
illness, ventilation and means of controlling
temperature was matter which attracted
our special attention and most careful ex
animation, and upon the whole we were
inclined to the opinion that il was in neil
Their respect mentioned substantially de-
rective or Objectionable, although some of
us thought a few of the sleeping rooms
hardly sufficient in size. We did not find
the internal construction OF the Marsh
building as satisfactory as that of the 9th
ers in all respects, although not very mate
rally exposed 10 criticism, but we were as
sured by tho trustees that it was their pres
ent purpose TO overhaul and thoroughly
ienovate this building, as soon as found
practicable, considering their means for SO
doing.
We discovered no want OF furniture, bed
ding, ETC., either in quantity or qualify,
and thought it su fficient for the comfort OF
the patients.
Although of minor importance, perhaps,
in some respects, yet we think it our duty
to suggest that a comparatively inconsder-
able outlay in the direction of additional
adjournment of the walls is desirable and
might at least produce an appreciabIy ben
etcial result.
A few words about the court yards con-
nected with the buildings may not be out
of place. They were provided for the pur-
pose of securing moro extensive and less
expensive admission of certain class oil
patients 10 air and exercise than they
would otherwise have. The one connect
ed with the main buildings seems not to be
faulty, but that adjacent the Marsh build
Ing is certainly ''not thing of beauty"
however we'll it may subserve purposes oI
utility, although in justice it may be said
that this yard was designed and is used fol
class so near a stale of dementia as are
apparently hardly capable Of discerning
or approaching beauty. Thus much will
suffice concerning the location and con-
struction, external and internal, of the
building.
Have the buildings sufficient capacity
for The number of patients now there IL
keeping, aud, if so, is it for the best inter
ests of successful treatment that so large 1
number should be kept together in ont
asylum under one direction and manage
ment?
1.-THE second question should be uncon
'ditionally answered in the affirmative, th'
first might he relieved of any considerable
difficulty, as the buildings are not over
crowded, but upon the second question
hangs the doubt. II is probable that pre-
Tonderance of opinion OF the experts upor
this subject is in favor OF limiting the mum
Der Of patients in any institution for tn
treatment of lhe insane, 10 three hun
dred, claiming, as reasons for that be
lief, that each hospital must be unde
the sole control Of one man, to act both a
superintendent and physician, who canno
properly discharge his duty to each patien
having a larger number than that unde