Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-01-11
Estimation Of the Treatment of the In
- 'ii sane. af.

Inc following Interesting extract NTe
take from the Report Of DIR. A. NJ.
Fauntleroy, Medical Superintendent 81
the Western Lunatic Asylum. 1t II i
we'll worth careful and attentive pc :
rusal
The people of this community, and
perhaps also majority throughout the
State, have appreciably just notions re-
gardiDg the insane and their treatment !;
yet for the benefit of those remote from
the institution and ignorant of Its man.
Iagement, I would submit few remarks
respecting the principles underlying its
government:
The lunatic is regarded as neither
fnaOre nor less than o. sick person whose
malady is seated in the brain--the or
gan first in physiological dignity, and
highest in grade of development in the
human organism; the center of intel
lection, emotion, and volition; linked
to and associated with every part of
the body; by ascensive morbid interac-
! ton its disorders may be occasioneG or
intensified; while from descensive rnol-
bid influences, the whole body, as well
as the head. may become morbidly i'm
plicated. Therefore, of all the affec-
tions in the long catalogue of human
| ills, insanity is regarded as making the
strongest appeal to our humanity and
the kindly ministratiOns of the healing
art. There being no specific treatm ent
for insanity, each case is dealt with up on
its own merits, and the remedial me, ,s-
ures employed are varied, in accor d.
ance wilh the varying pathologic a
states and evident needs of the indivN l.
ual. The hygienic treatment embrace
the essential conditions of ventilation
cleanliness, and abundant alimentatfon
as being as necessary to the comfort an,(
welfare of the insane, as of the sane
The medical treatment demands tribut,
from the entire domain of medicine. A.
evidencing the earnestness of our bell e1
in medication, and confident trust iu
the ultimate restorative and ameliOra-
tive results of persistent treatment, I
would direct attention to the sum ex-
pended for medical supplies during the
past year. At the same time we are
fully alive to the incalculable benefits
arising from the employment of what
are called moral means. DR.. Stribling
has well and aptly aid-"They are uni
versal in their application, and produc-
tive of good wherever used. Being the
offspring of the Christian religion,
prompted by an enlarged benevolence,
and directed in their holy purposes by
the light of science, all are brought
within the sphere of their influence.
and by a genial warmth impaired, are
revived, renovated, and often saved "
The term, moral means. embraces con-
ventionally any influence not medical
which may be brought to bear, directly
or indirectly, upon the thoughts emo
tiOns and will. These means, though
subtle in nature, are regarded as pro-
ducing physical impressions upon the
nervous centres. They exert an inf1u-
ence quite analogous to that of pnssive
motion, when employed in surgery tC
re. establish the motions of a stiffeneC
Joint or limb. And the evidences O.
our reliance upon these measures viii
appear in the account submitted of tht
emplovments, exercises, acnusements
and religious services in which the pa
tients have participated during the year
EMPLoYMENTs.
Recognizing the hygienic and remedi
al influence of employment or exercis
upon the bodily functions of the insane
as well as of the sane-as measurabl,
influencing In either class thedigestive
nutritive, and blood making processes
upon which bodily health and nienta
integrity both ultimately repose-
have endeavored to find employ men
for as large number as possible, essay
ing to give useful direction to the en-
ergies of those who show disposition
to engage in any employment or labor
with due regard to the mental an
bodily capacity of the individual. Thus
the kind and extent of the employment
is regarded as question of mental an
bodily therapeutics.
!: Our capaclOus grounds, garden an
farm have afforded diversified an
healthful pursuits to large numbers G
our male patients. Our ornaments
: grounds in front of the Asylum hav
been we'll and assiduously attended t
by the patients. In the cultivation
Of the flowers, the trimming of tree
and shrubbery. the renewal of the tel
race sod, and in keeping up the walks
many have found agreeable employ
ment and wholesome diversion.
In the operation Of the farm and gal
den, others have found occupation cor
genial to their tastes and consonar
with their habits of life previous to th
occurrence of their mental disorde
Others have been employed in the ca
penter's and shOemaker's shops, soa
factory and cbandlery, steam and ga
houses and the laundry. Although til
II commercial value of the aggregate
work done by the patients is a factor
V considerable moment in the househol
q economy vet the mental tranuui1it