The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-11-29
WESTERN LUNATIC ASYLUM.

| REPORTS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND OF THE PHYSICIAN AND SUPERIN-
TENDENT
We are indebted to the courtesy Of DR..
Il. +. Baldwin, superintendent. for the re-
port of the Board of Directors and of the
physician and Superintendent OF the Vest
ern Lunatic Asylum for the years 1S75-76,
1s76-77. To many of this community es-
pecally, where the noble charity is located,
the report contains much of interest. There
is a melancholy pleasure in contemplating
the great good which has resulted from this
Institution in the amelioration of the suffer
ings of that unfortunate class whose condi-
ton, above all others, appeals to the tenderer
sympathies and kinder impulses of human
ity, for ii there is one trait nobler than all
else, if there is one virture pre- eminent
among its fellows, if there is one touch OF
the divine still lingering in our natures.
it is that charity which shows itself in en-
deavors to sooth the afflicted, succor the
helpless and comfort the sorrowing. In no
other way can this be so palpably revealed
as in the care and attention bestowed upon
those whose Swallowed life.in contras. with
their fellow mans, brings out in bold relief
the measure OF the blessings and teaches
the more favored ones how rich their pur-
ton is.
The Institution for the insane in our midst
has been, and is now regarded, as one of the
most successfully conducted in the Union.
The Board of Directors, in the report before
us, commend in the highest terms its
management, and entreat that the recon-
mendaticr Of the Superintendent for am
pier accommodations, so that the sphere of
its merciful influence may be still further
extended, receive the Immediate attention
of the legislature an appeal which we trust
will not be made in vain,
The Directors report says:
'sTlie number of patients under treat
ment during the year Just closed has been
unprecedently large; general health, how
ever, has existed. The deaths recorded
have occurred mainly,i if not entirely, among
the aged and chronic insane, in whom
structural degeneration of the bodily organs
had taken place from a gradual decay OF
nature"
1t speaks we'll for the management OF the
Asylum that none have succeeded in niur-
ing themselves, their companions, or atten-
dants. This is attributable to watchfulness
and the exercise of judicious restraints.
Time has fully attested the excellence of
the rule of selecting the applicants for ad-
mission in accordance with the prospects Of
their durability, without regard to their abil-
ity to pay; and the results achieved have
clearly exemplified the wisdom of the high
endeavor to make tl.is noble charity SUBJ
serve the greatest good to the largest num-
bers. Though an impartial adherence to
this policy has subjected the authorities to
animadversion, yet it will be, as heretofore,
rigidly enforced under the conscientious
convictions of its humane bearings. The
Board fully sympathetic in the regret ex-
pressed at the necessity Of rejecting many
applications, yet they share in the just pride
of the Superintendent when he says mot
one durable case Las been rejected The
important bearing of early application for
admission cannot be exaggerated, as the
earliest treatment promises the best and
most fruitful results.
| THE NEW BUILDING.
In April last the contract for the new
building was awarded to Messrs. Lushbaugh
6 Bro. of this place, at SIS, 366.6e, they be-
ing the lowest bidders. The building is 100
feet long by y wide. 1t stands upon
basement containing entrances, heating APP
paratus with fuel and storage cellars. Over
this are three stories containing three COM
plete wards Each ward has fifteen single
roems-one for servant-two rooms for ten
patients each, and one large associated DOR
mito-y, which will hold eight beds, making
26 patients per ward. Each ward is pro-
vidcd with &. dining room, pantry, bath
room, &c. The entire building will be
warmed by q low steam apparatus, partly
direct and partly indirect radiation. The
ventilation will he accomplished by the APP
paratus so successfully used in Baltimore by
the architect of the Academy of Music, to be
designed and also superintendent this build
| ing.
The principle employed is that of eXhaus-
ton from the two towers on the roof, which
differs from every other outlet for foul air
in this, that while they allow every thing to
pass out they absolutely exclude all en-
trance.
The least difference in temperature estab-
fishes an outward current and empties the
building promptly of its atmosphere. There
are check valves at all the air passages.
which control this current, so as to diminish
it, if required, when it becomes necessary to
heat up the building.
In the Academy of Music in Baltimore the
effect of this apparatus is SO marked, that at
night, in winter, with the house full Of peo-
pie and gas lighted, the thermometers OF the
family circle Or highest gallery stand three
degrees lower than those of the orchestra
circle or first floor. This ventilation is, OF
course, like all systems which depend upon
machinery, more efficient in winter than in
summer; but the arrangement of windows in
the building will secure every possible cool
ness that through draft can obtain.
| 1t will thus appear that most admirable
structure-with every sanitary precaution
observed-has been designed by the architect,
J. C. Nelson, of Baltimore, which fully sus-
tains the desevedly high reputation which
he enjoys.
Under the skilful and faithful direction OF
Messers. Lushbaugh e Bro, the work has
been steadily progressing during the sum
mer and will be completed by the middle
or latter part of November, except the heat
ing arrangement, which may be done by
next February. However, as time will be
needed to dry the walls and plastering, its
occupation is not deemed advisable before
April next.
From the
| SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
we make the following extracts:
There were in the Asylum at the begin
ming of the years, as shown by table No. l,
three hundred and fifty SIX patients, owen
ty-two in excess of previous biennial peliod),
as follows: Males, 1913; females, 15S; ad-
| u1ittnd flurinO two vaorS rnalac ~ fo,nolo.