The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-01-23

The world holds no class of people more
pitiable than the insane; those whose
minds are couded or totally obscured, and
whose lives are mere records OF animal exist
ence-eating. drinking and sleeping. Some
times there are riffs in this darkness through
which the sunshine of reason steals timidly,
only to be again blotted out We have for
these poor uniorunates the greatest sympa.
thy, and we surround their places of abode
with whatever of beauty that We can, but.
after all, it has seemed like planting flowers
about the entrance to sepulchre, ouly to
hide the frightful wrecks within. In the
past few years great changes have been
wrought in the treatment of the insane. A
revolution in the knowledge and under
standing of the dread diseases, mental or
physical, that have so transformed the men
and women of peaceful homes and quiet
lives into maniacs and lunatics has taken
place. Instead of treating them as semi
demons, to be chained and gagged, to be
hayed to drive out the devils that
had possession of them. the greatest
care and tenderness are lavi5hed upon them.
They are subj only to restraints neces-
sary to keep them from doing harm to them
selves or those around them. and even these
precautions are used moderately and hu-
namely. They are not'lefC in cells TO shrek
their lives away in vain petitions for free
dom. They do not drag clanking chains
about with every step, nor are they pinioned
h fS n
every exertion in their behalf. Religion
aud humanity are united to alleviate their
suiFerings, AMI the skill of the medical
world is exhausting itself for their benefit.
Asylums for their treatment and coDfoe-
ment are no longer county j4ils or aims
houses, but the state and the people gladly
give of their boarded wealth to build mag
niticent edificss for those who are, even in
their insanity, still dear to the hearts OF
their families and friends. Nurses are pro-
vided. WHO, with physicians especially
chosen for this position, watch carefully
over the patients contided to them, and
who hail with glsdness every glance OF
returning reason But frequently as the
stranger. passes through the wards of these
asylums, these places of life that yet is
death, the inquiry is made, rs there no
hope for sech and such one7' AS We;
there seems none. Mark the vacant stare,
the dull, unmeaning look, that takes no
'cogDizAnce of the surroundings; the lips
that babble forth words of foolishpess;
the restless hands and feet that are never
still and where is there one sign that fut.
tiers banner of hopei' Medicine, the arts
OF healing, the physicians skill, do not avail
What eau undo that which agony, and pain,
and mental suffering have dDne7 Ranging
from mid melsncholis, the blight of sadness
and Disappointment. through all types oil
dementia up to madness. where is the pana
cea, the cure-all for the hundreds aud
thousands of insane people all over the
land? There exis7s none; but surely OF all
this vast multitu ie there must be many who
are in condition admitting OF amelioratioP,
and, ia scores of cases, of perfect restoration
to health and reason. This much is proved
by the experiences OF the past decade,