Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-11-22


rate paid for each, has compelled this course,
however, as is, in effect, admitted by the COM
missiouers, and with greater means at com
mand this fault would be done away with.
That the lack Of air space and ventilation at
the asylum docs not constitute such a glaring
and serious disadvantage as is claimed by DR.
Goldsmith, is eilectually proved. it would seem,
by the fact that the death rate Mt the Vermont
Asylum FOR the past ten or twelve years has
been actually less than ut Any other asylum
in New England The whole matter ms to the
fitness of the buildings for their purpose may
be summed mp in this The older portion Of
these buildings was constructed when less
was thought than now Of the size of rooms
ventilation. etc If the whole institution was
TO be built anew, many features would be
changed but all modern improvements have
been introduced throughout the buildings,
their sanitary condition is excellent beyond
dispute, and the question is, is it now worth
while, or would it be reasonable, to throw
these buildings away simply because they are
not entirely modern in their construction Z
In answering this question let it be remem-
bered that it is one which is not 10y any means
peculiar to the Brnttl,boro institution. On
the point of ventilation it should here be add
ed that, since the report Of the commission
was made, II fan or blower has been put in op-
Grafton, worked by machinery by the use Of
hich 20. 600 cubic feet Of fresh air can be
forced into the buildings every minute and
the air throughout the institution can be
changed every hour
In the matter of medical attendance DR..
Fassett's criticism. is manifestly unjust, for the
reason that no account is taken Of the fact that
the first assistant physician has already had
six years experience in the treatment of the
insane. This experience has been gained, to
be sure at the Vermont asylum, but no req
sonable person will hold that, because such is
the fact, the experience is any the less valua-
BILE, either to him or to the patients in his
charge. If DR. Clark We're now to leave his
present position and accept a similar one in
some other State, his six years of experience
would be counted rs a very strong point to
the advantage Of the institution to which he
went and we know Of no reason why this eI-
pcrience should not be counted an equal adj
vantage TO the inEitution where he now is.
The other assistant has now had a years o1-
perience, and rs actual hospital or asylum
practice is the only school in this specially,
we do not see that the charge Of ine1perence
on the part Of the medical attendants is one
that applies with special force to this asylum.
The real fact is that this matter of ineIperi-
ence in the specially of the treatment of the
insane is one of wide application, and if we
mistake not the first and only actual e1po-
rience in subjects pertaining to this specially
has been enjoyed b. the members Of this
special commission during the past summer.
Upon other points of special criticism our
space docs not permit MS to touch at length.
and it L. apparent on their face TINT they in.
volvc, almost exclusively, questions ns to the
pecuniary means which are, or may be, avail
able for Use by the managers. Whenever the
State sees fit to pay living price for the care
Of its patients all further needed changes and
| improvements Of whatever kind can be relied
on to follow.
OF the tone of criticism which always has
been and is now adopted 10y certain newspa.
perz whose editors want new asylum built
in the central or northwestern part Of the
State, we, however, have this to say Neither
will the Vermont asylum its officers or man
ayers, or any person in this section Of the
State ever lift voice or raise any factious OPP
position whatever toward the construction of
new asylum should it be the will Of the rest
Of the State that one be built The only in
terest that We of this section could have in
such project would be on the score Of pay
ing our share towards its construction. II
tho rest OF the State are willing to be taxed to
build a now institution, Brattleboro and Wind
ham county will not complain because they
must carry their share Of the burden We on
~ say that it, nov or hereafter, We are to
have IA State asylum, let its construction be
urged, and let it be built without any further
attempt TO blacken or break down the Brat
tleboro institution. AL that can be done in
the way Of investigation Of this asylum has
now been fully and repeatedly accomplish
ed. On it, record aud prosan; condition the
institution is content 10 stand OF fall and it
only awaits the pleasure Of tie State for It's
manager, TO decide il what direction it,
course and future line Of work are to lie.