Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-03-10
Report Of the Examining Committee Of
the W. Z. Asylum.

We give below the report of the EXAM
lining Committee appointed at the last
meeting of the old Board of Directors OF
the W. l.. Asylum to inspect and report
on that institution. We may state that
while there were 498 patients in the Asy-
lum at the date of the committees visit,
the number has since been increased by
admissions to SOL:
10 the Board of Directors Of the Western
Luaatic Asylum of Virginia.
Your committee appointed at your last
meeting to visit the Asylum, have the
honor to report that we have thoroughly
inspected the buildings and premises and
found everything in a very satisfactory
| condition.
The Asylum, though fully occupied in
both divisions. male and female, maintains
its high reputation for good order, cleanli-
ness. comfort and system throughout. Ac-
cornpanied by the Superintendent aud one
OF the Assistant Physicians the entire
Asylum was visited and inspected by US.
We saw all the patients and conversed
with many Of them; their deameanor gem
orally was such as those unfamiliar with
this unfortunate class would hardly expect
to see in an asylum for the insane. There
Was no excitement or turbulence displayed
| by any during our inspection, but the
| bearing and conduct of the patients gem
orally was remarkably good and orderly;
| they appeared with some exceptions to be
| In u good physical condition. In respect
| to dress, though usually plainly clad, their
clntbing was ample, neat and clean and
reflected credit upon their attendants
We saw numbers at their dinner; the
food served was good and substantial in
| rsnO i and ,h,,r,1 s,v,f
beef. pork, potatoes, parsnips, stewed ap-
pies, bread, wheat and CORN constituted
the meal.
In every ward we observed that the dor
| mitories, the rooms, beds and bedding wsre
! ali in creditable condition. The water
| closets and bathing arrangements in each
ward were complete in their fittings and
| ventilation.
! wewere especially struck with the fact.
| Til so little restraint seemed to be nee
essary-or was used in this large institu-
ton containing 1913 patients. We were
| also impressed with the attachment which
seemed to exist upon the part of the patti
ents for the superintendent, physicians
and attendants The Superintendent
| appeared to understand the peculiarities
! of zach particular patient and as he moved
! among them, even those whose reasons,
were utterly dethro ned, seemed to recog-
| itize i1 him friend and benefactOr, which
created in our minds the pleasing refec-
ton that even when the intellectual pow
| er is gone the impressions made by kind
ness and the alienation of distress may
| sill linger.
| We found men at work in the shops-car-
penters and shoemakers-alsO liz the laun-
| dry. kitchen, steamhOuse and bakery. Y
The women in the wards were generally
occupied in sewing, knitting, playing
cards, checkers or backgammon.
We were much gratited at the recent
/ alterations and improvements made il,
what is called ''the old male builddng."-
( More than half Of this building has beef.
thoroughly renovated, additional light adj
lation introduced. Each floor has been
newly painted, each differing in color and
style. The light and ventilation secured
a1e all that could be desired. We found
this building was being rapidly fitted up
for occupation, and the Superintendent
informed US that he had written to all the
counties of the Valley and Southwest Vir-
ginia to send on at once to the Asylum all
luuatics confined in their respective jails.
| III conclusion we would say, that the
| Asylum, under Its present management is
an honor to the State, and will compare O.
most favorably with any like institution in
| this country.
| fEtfl GILBERT G. MEM,
| JOHN NJ. JOHNSON,
| CHAs. T. O'FERRALL,
| A. M. HENKEL,
! Committee.
| : FRbrnnru 1852