Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-10-18
The Insane AsyIum---RePOrt of the Su-
pertmIendenI.

The Argus and Patriot, in an editorial pub
lished last week, summarizes the leading
points in Dr. Diapers report as Superintend-
ent of the Vermont Asylum. for the two years
ending July 3lst. last, and also pays a high
and deserved compliment to DR.. Diapers
management of the institution and treatment
of the patients committed TO his charge
The Biennial Report of the Superintendent
Of the Vermont Asylum for the Insane is
document worthy of careful perusil and pres
eryation. The whole number of insane per
sons admitted to the asylum during the two
Years ending July 81 1878, was 1G7. OF
these. - were discharged recovered" or
about II per cent. of the number admitted,
which is Il fair showing. A fraction less than
that per cent were improved, 81 were mot
improved, and 81 died, the death rate being
on an average of G.77 per cent for the two
years. and mainly from nervous exhaustion.
Among the causes OF insanity or sup
passed canSrs, as the superintendent suggests,
We iud hereditary predispoSltlou credited
with a. cases. ''self-abuse" with 81. 'inteni-
perance" with l.. and business troubles
with 10. showing that the most prolific source
of insanity Is that which Is Unborn III the IN
dividual." During the past two years, the
wing burned in 1877 has been rebuilt, and
many hIiIAtlOuS anu ipIONG AllGLAS uAht
been made in the other buildings. The su-
perintendent rejoices to be able TO record the
establishment of gymnasium, which will
form a new aud attractive source of amuse-
ment and recreation for the patients. In the
treatment of the insane the superintendent
dwells largely upon moral agencies as be
ing of great value. These agencies include
everything calculated to direct the patient
from morbid channels of thought, and to
counteract the tendency SO often observed, to
concentrate the whole mental force upon Il
single idea" There are regular religious ser
vices on Sundays, conducted by different cler-
gymen of BrattleborO and vicinity. Besides
these there is "a fixed system of secular en-
tertainments during the months of winter and
early spring" and, in their season, outdoor
recreations are encouraged. BY means of
letter writing, a reasonable degree OF free
dom of communication between the inmate S
of the asylum and the outer world Is allowed.
over two thousand letters have been sent out
ly patients to their friends. And in all prop
er ways the superintendent endeavors TO keep
the patient employed in mind and body, by
this means adding largely to the probabilities
of their ultimate Improvement, If not COM
plete recovery 1t Is a mistake, he SAYS, To
suppose that insanity can be cured by the use
Of medical means altogether. The moral
must be combined with the medical in order
10 reach the best results. This is the idea
now prevalent among the best informed upon
the subject of insanity, and its proper treat
ment. We have not space for further details
upon this most excellent report, but commend
il to the careful consideration Of the Legisla-
ture. They will gather from it the full as-
surance that the asylum for the insane is il
good hands, and that its inmates will receive
every care and attention which humanity can
bestow The superintendent Is full of sym
pathy for the unfortunate persons placed un
der his care and treatment He makes him
self thoroughly conversant with the cause OF
insanity in each case, and under his direction
the remedy best adapted 10 each patient
whether moral or medical, will be administer
ed. Under his supervision the asylum hR,
already taken its place IN the front ranks
among institutions of the kind in the ooun-