Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-10-17
THE GOEERNENTT INSANE 4SYL UNI.
Annual Report OF the BOARD Of Visi-

The 9Sd annual report for Is11-'1S OF the board
OF visitors of the Government Insane Asylum
has been received at the Interior department.
The board consists Of Joseph X. Barnes preSi-
dent; Joseph VI. Toner, James &. Yelling, VIM.
Grier, Chas. WorthingtOn, Mrs. 4. VI. Gangwer.
and Mrs. Amelia l. Rowland. The report is
largely made up OF tables giving synopsis OF
the operations OF the asylum for the year end
Ing June 3dth, 1878. II appears that the Whole
number OF patients under treatment during the
year was 9i1 OF whom ,2l were males and 226
females. OF the entire number ISL We're newly
admitted during the year, the Others remaining
from 1877. OF the 9+I patients 60 have been dis
charged as recovered. fl as improved, as un-
improved. 46 have died, and the remaining I93
are now in the hospital. OF the 1893 native
born patients whose nativity could be ascer-
tanned among the 4,3S+ persons who have been
treated during the existence OF the hospital Az
have been from the District OF Columbia, 1872
from New York, PSI from Maryland, 219 from
Virginia, 23S from Pennsylvania. 124 from Ohio,
and 100 from Massachusetts. Foreign born pa
tfents to the number of 1916 have been treated,
OF whom Ireland furnished 931, Germany ga
and England l0l. The nativity OF 2o5 is un-
known.
THE AGE AT WHICH ONE Is MOST LIKELY TO BE-
COME INSANE.
4 tabular statement shows that In the eXpe-
rience OF the asylum the time OF life at which
one is most liable to become insane is between
the ages of 20 and 80.
The average number resident during this
year, ISL, has not been equalled since the open
quate accommodations, the health of the pa
tents has been excellent, the death rate being
smaller than in any prevlousye with single
exception. The report says:
THE OyERCROWBING
has been the notable feature OF the year; and so
il is that the government hospital which should
be i'll a position 10 show to other nations the
liberal provision that America makes for her de-
tenders when they become insane is crowded
like an alms-hOUSe; and While the hospital has
served as model for one buildingin in the British
provinces and another in Australia il is now in
danger OF remaining stationary on TetI0gr3dng.
When IL might stand first in everything that
pertains to the most successful care and man.
agement OF the insane. Surely The United
states in her charities can afford 10 take 10
second place; give us room and she shall not"
LABOR OF THE INSANE.
The table OF farm and garden products shows
that the cultivation OF the soil has been attend
ed with satisfactory results, but prices having
ruled low throughout the year, the estimated
values are found TO be somewhat below those OF
previous years. The value OF labor in the treat
ment and cure OF the insane is referred TO. Or
the 400 acres OF land about the hospital, con-
siderable portion, diversified with picturesque
ravfnes and wooded slopes, is unSuited for culti-
Walton, and Will always remain a ramble and
pleasure ground for the recreation OF the in
notes; but there still remain more than 300
acres OF arabic land. The abundant opportunity
afforded inmates for outdoor labor and recre-
alton, its Importance as dairy farm for the
production OF milk, which is the best food for
certain classes OF the insane, and as means of
supplying ffeSfl vegetables ana fruits 10 the IN
mates, are noted as the characteristic features
Of the hospital farm.
THE EXPENDITURES
for the year were S114,216.52. The receipts were.
Sl45, 600 from the United states and $685.. 81
from private patients leaving deficiency OF
$9,5S3.
THE ESTIMATES
for the year ending June 80. 1880, are as follows:
For the support. clothing and treatment OF pa
tientS, Sl19,250 {ThiS estimate takes into con-
sideratiOn the Increasing number OF patients
and also the provision of the act OF Congress.
which provides that the District shall pay one
half OF the expenses OF supporting the INDECENT
insane OF the District after 1867 For general
repairs and improvements. $4,000; for miSceIla-
neOuS purposes, specified, Sla.588 Qt is proposed
to put ManSard roof on the building. as the
present r0Of in some sections shows signs OF de-
cay) for fire pump and additional pipe and
hose to complete protection against fire. $500
for reservoirs, filter beds etc, $500; for the
erection of q separate building for the female
patients, 5000, GOO, one-third of which is asked
for the fiscal year lS19-'S9; for the Immediate
relief Of the OvercrOwded condition OF the hos
pital by the erection OF suitable structures FOL
the present accommodation OF POO patients o
the chronic class, $4,000 An urgent appeal i,
made for the means to enable the hospital t,
take the position to which il is entitled as The
atiOnal asylum Tor the insane.
4 graceful tribute is paid 10 the memory o
Professor Joseph Henry, for many years mem
Der OF The board of visitors, and but recently IL
president.