The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-26
CENTRAL LUNATF. ASYLUM.

tEN1RAL LbNA1I,. AL LJh.
The report Of The Board OF Directors calls
attention to the report OF DR.. Rudolph
BarksdalP, Medical Superintendent. DR..
Barksdle says:
On the 1st Of October, 1879, the date Of
the last annual report, there were 223' pa
tiepts in the asyiDm-9S mites and 125 fe-
males. During The year 172 have been adj
mitted-Sl males and 81 females-making n
total OF 395 who have been treNed in the
year-l70 males and 2l6 females. OF this
number 4G were discharged. recOUered-23
males and % femaes-and 20 nave died.
males and lG females. Remaining at the end
Of the year, 326-140 males and III females.
Daily average during the year, 2G5-l23
males and 142 females.
The movement Of the population this
year, compared with that Of last year, shows
139 mOIe admissions this year than last. IL
more recOyeries, ) more deaths, and daily
average Of II more patients.
The large increase OF admissions this year
| is accounted for by the enlarged accOmmo-
dation In both the male and female depart
ments, OF which more will be said later In
this report.
The discharges recovered are small COM
pared with The admissions, because the ad'
ditions were not ready TO receive patients
before The latter part OF July, thus giving
too little time for hospital treatment TO have
its good effects i'll some cases, and, besides.
fear that large number OF those received
are hopelessIy insane. Many OF them have
been confined in idils for several years, and
some are far advanced in years.
OF the twenty-hree patients who died
seven were between twenty and forty years
oId-twO males and five females; and the
remaining sixteen were between forty and
eigh;y-five males and eleven females.
The causes OF death in all except three
two OF acute dysentery, and one OF twist
ing Of Tcctum, causing ObStTuctiOn-were
organic d,ea.es OF long Standing. With
the exception OF few eases OF acute dys-
EMERY and one or two eases OF malarial
fever, The institution has been entirely en-
empt from acute diseases uTcOnnected win
brain affections.
This shows that The general health OF the
inmates has been RENAL kably good during
the entire year.
The amusements ard diversions have been
regularly provided for the inmates, as has
been the custom for several years. The
male patients have their marbles, CirdS, &c ,
and at Odu times, almost every day, they
enjoy a dance after the violin. The female
patients continue 10 have their regular
dance every Saturday, afternoon.
The Docter deyotes considerable space to
report Of the improvements made last
year, and which cost $4,000. The Legisla-
ture appropriated the money 10 pay the bills.
The Board says:
The financial condition Of the institution
is .et forth in the report OF the sUperntesd-
eni. The Board at its last annual meeting
peIitiODed the Legislature 10 appropriate
S45, 0OG for the maintenance Of the asylum,
that being the smallest amount, in theS
opinion, which would enable them to con-
duct the institution efficiently, and provide
for the wants OF those then 10 the inStltn-
tion. Unfortunately by the failure OF the
Legislature 10 pass IN appropriation bill we
were allowed only S3j,000.
With our largely-increased population II
is manifest that a much gre1ier SUN will be
required for the support OF tie Institution
during he present year.
The farmer OF the institution, in his re-
port, says thrty-twotpoliens worked daily,
and this Is what they made on the farm: