The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1880-11-04
TREATMENT OF THE INSANE.

Much discussion has been had and is
being had, as to whether the insane can
be best treated and cared for by little or
no restraint, or by rigid imprisonment
in wards and cells, with free u,e of the
cribs, strait jackets, gloves, &c.
In noticing Longview Asylum some
time ago, we mentioned the fact that one
male and one female convalescent ward
remained open every day, the patients
having free egress and ingress, and it is
found to work well. This is sssuredly a
step forward in humane treatment of the
insane. 1t is getting away from the
crazy idea that the insane must be Gagged
like wild animals and treated like dumb
brutes.
We find in the London (Canada) Ad.
Uertiser an article on the London, Canada,
Asylum for the insane, from which we
extract:
"Of the whole grounds, sixty acres are
used for ornamental and exercise pur-
poses. Those who have had opportuDi-
ties of knowing, tell that the effect Of
the ornamental grounds is very graft
flying and soothing to the patients, and
so much do they appreciate them, they
will not harm Il flower. Some spend
whole hours rambling among the beau
ties of the field and garden, and the ef,
feet on the distraught minds is shown in
large per centage of cures effected at the
London Asylum. The greater portion
of outside work is done by patients;t s;there
being generally some sixty employed in
this way, under the care of six attend
ants, who direct the labor. AS many
patients as possible, and as soon after
admission as is compatible with safe
keeping, they are sent out, since light,
steady employment has tendency to
make them less egotistiCal, and hence is
large factor in their cure. 1t would
not be extravagant to say, in an acute
case, when a patient eau be got to en-
ploy himself, the chances of recovery
are doubled. In furtheranCe OF this,
both males and females are induced to
occupy themselves with some useful la
bor, though outside work is preferable,
when they will engage in it. The aver
age daily number Of patients employed
in garden, farm, work shops, sewing
room, kitchen, ETC., during last month
was 1872 males and 200 females. To the
objection that such employment must
necessarily greatly facilitate the elope'
ment of patients 60 disposed, one can
only say that the actual number OF es'
capes of those engaged in these labors
is 40 small, only nine out of an average
daily population of 722 for the Asylum
year ending Sept 80, 1879, that such OBJ
lection to this most valuable curative
adjunct would not tor moment be en-
tertained by an enlightened mind. OF
the nine escapes only one was perma-
nent, most of them being recaptured in
a few hours.
The building is always open to visit
ors between 10 a. M, and p. M, save
on Sunday and holidays, the reason for
the exception being that the large num-
ber of unemployed persons on those
days would overrun the building, and
exceed the supply of attendants, one o.
whom is detailed to 60 through the
wards with visitors. A look through tht
bnildine is always instructive; and while
the demented state Of the inmates can
not but ex lite pity, the visitor Will bt
nleaaed to see the manner In which the
nm fortnnates are cared for. There is 81
little there may be said to be none. Tht
arrangenen OF the building favors clas
sification, and this is great point. Th'
days are past when the insane wer'
treated az dangerous criminals, anC
where restraint is necessary TO protec
the lunatic from himself, 1t is Of tht
most humane order. There is not Gel
about the place, although when a pa
tient becomes unduly excited, 1t Is nee
esssry sometimes to lock him in hi
room. They are never, however, KEEP
locked in more than an hour or two, an
not so long, II in the meantime they, be
come calm. The patients are all clea
and tidy, many wearing slippers insid