The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-12-12
The Western Lunatic Asylum.

FIFTIETH ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS AND OF THE PHYsI CLAN
SUPERINTENDENT.
The reports, just published, of the Board
Of Directors and of the Physician and Su-
perintendent Of the Western Lunatic Asy-
INN, located In this city, for the fiscal year
1877-78, contain as usual much matter OF In
terest connected with this great public chart
ty which justly ranks in the forefrontot the
humane institutions Of the land. To the ma
iority Of our readers, these reports possess an
interest not shared in, to such an extent by
those residing more remote from the location
OF the institution. Living, as we do, under its
very shadow, 1t partakes of a local as well as
general character, and the interest thus
arising is increased in view OF the fact that
Augusta has larger representation In the
Asylum than any other county. The Super
intendent explains that the ratio OF the in
sane to the whole population IN this county
is not greater than in other parts of the State,
but the history fall asylums shows that per
sons who reside near them, who see their
workings and perceive what blessing they
are to humanity, are prompt to avail them
selves Of their advantages for their afflicted
friends. SIT is astonishing" says DR.. Bald
win, "to see the ignorance OF the public
mind In respect to such institutions. and the
horror with which they are regarded. l
nave met poor, feeble, old woman, totter-
Ing up the steps, with this question uttered
in piteous accents 'Oh you won't lock
ne up in dark room forever, will you?'''
The prevalent idea is that it is neces-
sarily place of utter mental confusion, and
Of perpetual suffering, gloom and despair.
whilst in reality 1t is place where high
and delicate sense Of honor may control the
conduct, and where keen sense of humor
may have full play, and affords as much
amusement as elsewhere.
In submitting their report, the Board OF
Directors state that at no time In the history
Of the Asylum have the labors Of a year yield
ed more success and prosperity. The ele-
giant new building, in the female depart
ment, has reached completion. and the Asy-
Ium, with its increased receiving capacity,
has entered upon its career of increased use
tulness. Numbers of the chronic insane who
have hitherto languished in the common jails
Of the country, or remained at their homes
inadequately attended, are now comfortably
protected, watched and cared for within Its
hospitable walls. In addition to the elegant
new department, the many alterations
made In the interior Of the large detached
building for females, embracing admirable
improvements in ventilation and heating,
nave transformed this building, which had
become bette noir to the santarian, into an
~, comfortable, well-lighted and admirable
sanitary structure. This has been accom-
,lished by the Asylum labor almost exclu'
sively, under the supervision Of its officers.
In regard to the finances. the Board says !:
1.-THE results Of the financial management
are highly creditable to all concerned. The
year closes leaving balance in favor OF the
Asylum of $50 900 due from the State treas
ury, and should the drafts have been paid as
they became due the Asylum would have,
after paying the $4,000 borrowed from the
banks, $25, 200 to its credit. The expendi-
ture on support fund for the official year is
s5,2l0.34 below that Of the fiscal year 1876
70. This is attributable to the practice oil
rigid economy, and in consequence Of the
iecline in the price of articles OF consump
ton. This is all the more gratifying because
accomplished without disparaging the com
fort of the inmates Of the Asylum.
Old claims for board have been actively
pressed for payment BY the attorney OF the
Board, Judge John H. McCue, and to hi.
diligence, tempered by a due consi1e ration
t the parties interested, payment in large
,art has been secured, the Asylum renlizing
uring the year upwards Of $1,000. These
collections, together with those made for
,oard during the official year, added to the
.nount saved the year previous, will quite
satisfactorily account for the sum now due
he Asylum. These results, coupled with
he proposition to reduce the account OF
BOARD from $25 to sl5 per month, speal
oudly in commentator of the Asy lun':
management. 1t gives the Board genuine
pleasure and satisfaction to be able to pre-
| .ent these evidences Of thrift, resulting from
IN exercise Of stern economy In the control
4 public expenditures. Should the arrear'
.ges from the State treasury be promptly
paid, the Asy lum may be successfully lrried
through the present year by an appropria
ion by the Legislature Of 100000. From
/ RI ~ tbo nj inf
lent it will be observed that out of popula
| tfoa OF 423 Lhe present status) it is deemed
| that 402 are incurable. There are still few
vacancies existing in the Asylum which will
shortly be filled with the chronic insane
| who are still to be found in numbers through
out the State. Then will come the old re-
train. "what shall be done to provide farther
for the insane of the State ~
To meet the increased demand for accom-
modations, the Superintendent suggests tina
such authority be granted as would enable
the Board OF Directors to board out in pri
vate families many perfectly harmless cases
at a cost less than that incurred for the main
tenance OF the incurables In the jails, ant
they would still be under the supervision oil
the Asylum authorities. In this way thu
crowded asylums will be relieved of many
beyond the reach Of curative measures, ant
will enable them to fulfil their highest func
ton in the care OF the insane, by always hav
ing the capacity to receive the recent insan'
Whose early treatment, all experience
shows, is the sine qua non to their Dossibl
recovery.
In conclusion the Board highly commend
the official corps Of the Asylum.
THE SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
contains many items of interest. The mum
Der OF patients in the Asylum at the begin
ming Of the year was 3el, of which 1913 wer
males and 168 females. Number admitte
during the year, 12l-43 males. IS females
Removed, % males and 81 females.
The Superintendent says ''the year com
menced with only II vacancies, oil in tn
male department. These were soon filled
and this department is now crowded beyon
its proper working capacity. The larges