Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1881-06-14

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the State. 1t may not be unntcrcSting
to some of your readers to hear what
great good has been done i'm this dircc-
tiOn, and to know what rapid strides
have already been made in ameliOrating
the condition of this unfortunate class.
In 1928 | believe the asylum was first
opened for the reception of the insane
and was only built to accommodate
about 30 patients. But such has been
the necessity for its enlargement that the
buildings now erected really accommo-
date upwards Of 500 persons, and during
the summer another addition, now in
process of erection, will be completed
that will accommodate 100 more. by
the kindness of the superintendent DR..
Fauntleroy, | WIS shown their entire
system Of conducting this grand and
complicated establishment, and more
perfect system of order and economy
cannot be conceived of thaH here exists.
Few families have more order, system
and economy practced than you see eX-
hibitcd in this great family of poor un-
fOrtunates, showing every phase of in
sanity to which the human mind is sub
iccted. OF course when so many differ
ent causes operate to produce the same
effect, and that effect the dethronement
of the temple Of reason, Gods greatest
and most bcnifcent Gift, calls for great
ingenuity and versatility Of treatment,
This you find here blended in most beau-
tiful harmony. The medical, hygiene and
moral are so combined as to produce the
most satisfactory results. ! could give
you quite an array Of figures TO show the
Chcapuess and economy here practccd,
and to show that il costs less per capita
to clothe, feed and attend properly to
this class Of State claimants thar it does
to cOnllne them, rs is SO often done in
our iails where they receive neither SYM
pathy nor attention. These expenses
have to be met by the treasury Of the
State. Is it not better that such accom-
modatous should be at once in the reach
of all requiring them, rs two fold pur-
pose is effected. The comfort of the pa
tient and the early admission to the asy
mm, or as soon after the development Of
the disease as possible, giving to the pa
tient that treatment and aid which alone
science and experience can give him. If
this was done do not hesitate to say
that the per centage Of cures would be
larger than ut present. The friends of
persons insane, from false sense OF
plide, or delicacy, and a horror for what
they conceive to be the suffering and tor
turc necessarily connected with an insane
asylum, frequently induce them to con-
ceal the condition of the patient longer
than possible, then rendering the posi- |
bility of II case much more difficult and
uncertain.
The farm attached to the asylum con-
talks 2G0 acres, some II acres Of which |
Is cultivated as garden furnishing veg
etables and employment for all that are
in condition to be Of service IN this |
way. The yard and grounds around the
buildings contain 30 to 10 acres which |
have been rendered artistically beautiful |
by every means that science, art and en- |
bellishments can bestOw on IT, Every |
attention is bestowed on this poor class |
of uniortunates TO make them happy and |
comfortable that can be found in the |
home of the most fortunate. "A library |
of six or seven hundred volumes, with |
newspapers, and a large number of Pc
riodicals of different grades Of literature |
are accessible and In their reach ut all |
times. A large chapel with fine organ |
costing $1,000, is fitted up, and services |
by the different ministers of the city are |
held every Sabbath in the chapel, and all |
induced to attend that can be persuaded |
to go. A notable feature of the institu-
tiOn is the musical sorce and dance Civ |
en- every Thursday night, in which all |
that wish to go are permitted to attend.
/ had an invitation TO attend one Of these |
soirces, which accepted, and going IN
to the room, accompanied by DR.. Fisher
found set dancing in each end of the |
large hall. A band of good music dis
COursed sweet sounds, and large num-
Der of handsomely dressed persons, male |
and female were either dancing, prone
nading, or sitting around the room look
ing ON seemingly much interested. The
doctor informed me that about half the
number present were patients and the |
other half attendants, and as they whirl-
ed around in the giddy dance, he asked
me to point out who were patients and
who were attendants, | confess that In
many instances this was difficult TO do,
MS all seemed to enter into the amusement
with an equal zost found many games
both indoors and outdoors were allowed
and prHcticcd by the poor demeutcd
creatures. | was introduced to an Old
lady, Mrs. Smith, who was the second
patient admitted TO the asylum, she Is
harmless, but unwilling for
you to touch her, az She declares she Is
the Holy Ghost. The doctor asked her
TO show u3 her babies, she proceeded to
open her bosom and took from over each
breast small rag doh, which she said
were her twin babies, and which she
TOndlcd with all the care and affection
that u mother bcstows upon her natural
offspring. The doctor Informed me that
,hc had FOR many years held TO the dclu-
sion. and never permitted these dolls to
be removed from her bosom; IL may be
.hnt Che loss of two dear little children
was The primary cnusc of the light Of
reason going ont I'm darkness. saw I'm
.he aamc ward quite an affecting scene,
b flthcr had just arrived TO take home %
BRIGHT little babe Of SOME eight or ten
months old, which The doctor told me
was the second child ever born Ia the
many of these poor creatures
lerefl Of reason, were nursing and fond
ing this babe with all the apparent fond
lcss OF the mother, while IFS own moth
m stood by unconcornod and her mo,h-
IRIS love bloilcd out aud gone down in q
loud Of darkness.
The number Of patients that have
,ccn admitted TO the asylum amount 10
IlOi. The number discharged aud re-
,overod 1910. The number Improved
,sl. The number not improved 275 to-
AL removed by death aud otherwise
1895. During tho present ycar there has
,ecn n daily average of lG3. The NUM-
Der or percentage of cures Is now much
greater than for the ten years proceed
ng, owing 10 the fact that discrimina-