The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-11-20
Tne Central Lunatrc Asylum.


ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TO THE G0vERNOR-EC0NoMTCA ADMINS
TRATIoS-THE LITIGATIo ABOUT THE
LASD-RECoMuENDAT1oN UNATICs IN
JAILS.
The following is the annual report OF the
Board of Directors OF the Central Lunatic
Asylum:
RICHMOND, October 90, 1879.
To His E1ceAency +. ". II. Holiday, Gou-
ernor of Virginia:
Sir,-The Board OF Directors OF the Cen
trail LuDatic Asylum submit the accompany
ing reports of the medical superintendent,
farmer, and steward. These reports give q
full history Of the operations OF this insti-
tuition during the fiscal year ending Sep
tember 80, 1879. . .a. .... .-
The Board desire to call your attention
particularly to the information contained in
the report Of the medical superintendent,
and to his suggestions for its future manage
ment. .. .-.....
He presents gratifying exhibit as to the
care, management, and favorable results at
tending bis administration; showing that ten
more recoveries were reported, and three
deaths less, with daily average OF FIVE
more patients in the past than the preceding
year. By comparing his former with the
present report it will be observed that du-
ring the year just closed twenty-eight fewer
patients were received than during the year
terminating September 80, 1878. This is
explained by the fact that we could not eX-
ercise such supervision over the admission
OF inmates az is desirable. Often it has been
the case that patients are sent for who, from
the certificates furnished the superintcnd-
cnt, present evidences OF probable early
cure, which too frequently disclose the fact
that these patients are harmless imbecilrs or
epleptics, whose proper homes would be
the almshouses OF the county. Once re-
ceiVed, and their true status aScertaincd
(Which can be done only after the officer
who had them in charge has left), it has been
thought best TO retain them, rather than in
cur the additional expense OF returning
them to their former residences. In our
opinion, some changes should be made i'll
the inquiries presented to medical attend
ants in their examinations OF supposed lu-
natics. And we suggest that the three su-
perintendents OF the different lunatic aSy-
lums Of the State prepare such modification.
The form now in use is, in our opinion, in
sufficient; many OF the inquiries are but
reDetitions OF those which prccede them.
LII We llliIh LHtil otutl w NllucSSCS
beside the medical attendants should be eX-
amined.
The daily average Of patients has been
256, while we baye properly only accom-
modations for 240.
From the farmers report we find that
the yield from the farm and garden, while
curtailed by the long drought, has been
quite satisfactory.
To find from, tho ctpwarI'S rpporf that
while exercising proper economy, he has
SUPPLIED the inmates with every requisite
for their health, comfort, and maintenance.
The financial condition OF the institution,
owing to the reduction OF $4,000 OF its
annual appropriation, is not entirely salts
notwithstanding deficit OF S16G.25. We
were fortunate in maintaining the iDstitu-
tion under the circumstances with so small
deficit. By economy and the reduction in
the prices OF such articles rs were needed
especially for the asylum during the pre-
ceding year, we carried forward to the cre-
dit OF the institution balance OF S7,325.
1t is apparent that it is impossible to con-
duct the asylum on the same appropriation
that was made last year. We ask, as we did
then, for the sum OF $4,000. The prices oi
provisions and supplies OF all kinds which
we shall need have advanced.
1t will be remembered that this institii-
ton differs from others in the State. We
have no pay.patientS, no gifts from friends
| or the public. As the superintendent says,
we receive our patients with Il bare suit OF
clothes, nothing during their stay with us,
paying their way to and from the asylum
aud furnish them some cash TO start life
| upon when restored to reason.
We eDresume that the litigation as to the Use
OF these grounds for the next five years vii
result favorably to the State. With suct
result we recommend an appropriation ot
| IS, 900 for the erection OF two additions
wards, and thus afford relief to the 10 pa
tients now in the iails of the State, the cos
OF whose maintenance is $40 per day, be.
| sides all the incidental expenses, such as
clothing, medical attendance, medicines
and nurses when necessary. These adul-
tioual expenses, under the present law, are
allowed by the courts.
The superintendent, in his report. shows
that he supports them ut iorty-five cents
day, which includes everything, from
| their departure from to their return home.
II these inmates OF the iail were now in the
ASYLUM there would be Il saving 10 the State
OF SIS, 900 annually. by the erection OF the
additional wards asked for, after dcducting
their costs, there would be Il saving OF SlO,-
600 the first year, and $4,000 for each sue.
ceedlng year Of the lease.
The Board desire to express thcil
hearty appreciation OF the admirable adj
ministrativc abilities, combined with pro-
fessional skill, displayed by the medical sr'
perintendent and his assistant. securing as
they have done officers IN each department
Of the institution. whose aim seems to be-
while rendering the labors OF their supe
riors less onerous. are none the less emu
lous to render the institution model ol
excellence in its management.
Very respectfully,
j. G.. CABELI., VI. D., President,
in behalf oil the Directors.
| The most important features Of the pa
! ,ol, IaJ in, nj