New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-10
INSANITY ON THE INCREASE.

VISIT TO WARDS IsLAND-FALSE CHARGES OF
BAD TREATMENr-TYPE AND CAUSES OF IN
SANITY.
One or two of the lunatcs who escaped re-
Gently from Wards Island have told of
ment of the patients. These pronounced by Com
missioner Brennan and the Asylum authorities absolute
ly false TRIBUNE reporter visited the Asylum yestcr
day to make inquiries. Dr. Eagan, the Superintendent
was in charge and very readily answered all questions
He is young man. apparently about thrtyf years of
age and is Assistant Medical Superintendent of the De-
partment of Charities and Correction In to in
quiries to whether the Asylum is overcrowded he
said
1--WE accommodate all the patients we now have,
but it would be incorrect to not ovcrcrowded
We provide for the patients by using one OF the build
ings belonging to the Commissioners OF Emigration.
That contains $50 patients. We are building two
additional wings to the asylum. Each one OF these will
accommodate $50 patients and of them will be ready
next month"
any truth in the sateme made by one of
the inmates that they obliged the
twelve hours day 2"
"No. Those that able do general farm work are
sent out at $50 and IL m, and go
again at p m and return at When 1t Is very hot
they are brought in at IL a. H. and do not go out again
until p. M"
Is it that hudded together in large
rooms g.
That is also false Each inmate has a separate room
and we have such thing coolers, reported.
Only ordinary rooms. The three who escaped on
Saturday evening did so by means OF false keys and
before they had been sent to their which is done
at p. M"
"Are the patients permitted to communicate with
their friends 2"
They permitted to their friends in two
weeks unless they weak and liable tode, when they
allowed to them often. All patients who can
write rational letters allowed write friends AS
often as they like"
How many patients and attendants are there In the
asylum 2"
" There are 1920 patients and 90 attendants.
Only males are taken here of course the females being
confined In the Blackwell's Island Asylum"
Are you permitted to select your own attendants ~
the commissioners, but upon my recommendation. |
have trouble in that respect, as possible
try get persons of experience year ago there were
NUMEROUS applications Tor appointments. Now owing
to better times, it is difficult to get good TO fill
DO the Commissioners visit the asylum very ofteni"
Once q week one Of the Commissioners comes here"
and holding office until the appointment of his successor
suppose he does not visit you very often"
mo. 1t is usually Mr.. Hess or Mr.. Brennan that
comes"
Yes The number OF patients here is increasing at
the rate of 100 year On o January we had 5o in
months That is oyer discharges and deaths During
died. The increase in the Of patients in the
asylum last year was 60 the smallest number IN
We only take the insane belonging to the city, and
pay her friends Blooming or other private
asylums or TO State institutions. great many insane
and sent there Many come from the Emgrant Hos
pital. All immigrants who become insane before they
five years in the country taken to the Emgrdt
Hospital, and when the term of five years has expired
they sent here. In this way caring for many
lunatic5 from Europe"
How many inmates are there in the womens Asylum
on Blackwel's Island Z"
Between l,4oo and 500 The proportion Of insane
women IL greater than that OF men In NewYork though
In asyiuns in other cities the proportions about
equal"
''what do you find to be the prevailing of
| sanity !"
About onehalf the persons sent here have been adj
nkg pnnai lapnh al.
proportion OF patients inherit their insanity think
hgh-hving or fastiving which develops traits OF III
sanity, is the principal cause in New-York."
| =" What are the forms it takes -
The greater part OF the patients that coming
now have what Is called general paress which is incur
able and fatal The characteristics, shown here are
| exalted notions about things in general. They all
milonaircs and feel happy. One OF the peculiartes
these recent patients is that they nearly all believe them
selves great claiming to be able make
or6OO miles day Thus form of insanity soon develops
into general paralysis. There il this kind In
sanity here than anywhere else in the world M
known. The next largest number Of patients
suffering from melancholia They believe Themselves
prosecuted, and give friends great trouble
when they TO them by telling OF attempts
| by other patients to poison them"