The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16
rnnArMENT oF THE INSANE.

In Dio Lewis Monthly is an-article
ON insane asylums, in which estab-
lished plans of conduct are con-
demned, as false in organization as
well as in falling to cure. The faults
set forth are the congregating of too
many patients under one superintend-
ence, making the proper study of in
dividual cases of dementia impossi-
BILE, and the sequent leaving of them
to routine and the care and manage
ment of attendants who are rarely
persons of the required intelligence
and sympathy. The charge follows
that the practical outcome of this
state of things is that hundreds OF
persons in these asylums. who need
the most careful. discriminating study,
are treated much as farmers treat
cattle-kept inside high fence, and
are not allowed to hurt each other.
With the exception that the insane
are dosed with anodynes to cause
them to sleep, the writer says, it
would be difficult to point out the
difference of treatment of the insane
and the management of unruly cattle.
This is a sweeping verdict, and may
not justly apply to all instances; but
there is too much reason to believe
that it has too general association
with the truth, especially under the
order of superintendent prevailing
in this country. The plan of reward.
ing political favorites has especially
prevailed in Texas, and in spite OF
supposed safeguards, adopted by the
last legislature, this plan appears to
still prevail, and the primitive ano-
dyne treatment remains fix
ture. No sooner does al
superintendent learn something,
at the expense of unfortunates.
than he is removed for political
reasons, and experience, leaving out
altogether the question of scientific
treatment. is lost and the anodyne
treatment continues. But an insane
asylum is no place for politicians 10
changeiauinto training schools.
cNt'n in experience. Suprrinten-
dents Of asylums should be
thoroughly qualified 10y educ;l-
ton fors places, before apply
ing for orappointment. They should be
learned men as to treating the insane,
having studied for this purpose under
the light of both science and expe-
;rience. Another defect in the
management of insane institu-
itions, pointed out in the article
referred to, is the seclusion in which
patients are kept. Madame Eugenia
Berry. who has been Interested for
years in the management of institu-
tions for the insane. says the conyic-
tion grows stronger in her mind, day
after day. hat the insane will
never receive justice-never be wise
py and tenderly managed-until the
light of day is let in upon their man.
agement. Another current evil Id
management is the interdiction of cor
respondenGe on the part of patients
with their friends. on the ground that
the latter would be annoyed with i'm
proper matters of information. This
reason is held not to be a good one;
to be one without shadow of human
sympathy, and can be no more justi-
fled than can be the abandonment of
a patient sick with some dangerous
bodily disease at home, because
troublesome to friends. In civilized
life the convenience of those who are
well always gives way to the necessi-
ties of the sick, and cases of sickened
brain ought not to be make an eXcep-
stisa, Our insane asylums can never
be bEought into harmony with civili-
zatiR until mail box Is within reach
of every patient, t. be opened only by
"a regular mail officer. with the custom
stgy severe penalty unsparingly en-
forced upon all who otherwise inter-
fere with the letters deposited there
in. The writer goes on to show that
existence as a patent in one of the
large hospitals is so hard, so sorely
trying, that it becomes ineffaceably
engraved on the mind OF the victim:
and at no subsequent events, no
pleas2ntness of situation in after life
can erase the burning Imprint of the |
mental torture of asylum experience.
The writer relates sundry of these
dreadful experiences Jas they were en-
dured by persons of intelligence and
yeracity, assuredly justifying the agi-
tation now existing, and fast increas-
ing, which demands reforms in the
treatment of the insane. more in ac-
cordance with humanity and with
the modern views of improved modes
of treating the insane, than are at
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