The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1883-03-31

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OF the number twenty-sfx discharged
cured, twenty-five Were taken into the in
stitution during the year, while only four
of the chronic cases or of those that had
been in the institution over n year recover
ed and were discharged. This fact shows
clearly the Importance of giving prompt
care and early treatment to insane persons.
Statistics of lunacy show that where in
sane are sent to Well-managed hospitals
and treatment commenced Immediately
after the accession of the disease, that IS
per cent recover within Il year, but where
treatment has been deferred for two years,
only 10 per cent recover. And further that
the insane are treated far more successfully
and economically among strangers and in
well-managed institutions, specially pro-
vided for their treatment than at their own
homes, surrounded by their families and
by similar scenes and associations.
The great misfortune to the insane, is
that many are retained at home until the
best period for successful hospital treat
ment is lost. Very often the simple change
from homo to an asylum seems to be suffi-
cient to secure the beginning of GONZALES
cence, and not unfrequently the improve
ment in behavior and conversation dates,
from the day they enter the institution.
The average number Of insane among all
nations, is completely the same, ranging
from one to one and a half, for every one
thousand of the population.
If the population of this group of islands
amount to seventy-five thousand, you can
depend with certainty that you have no less
than seventy-five insane persons in the
Kingdom. There are to-day 81 in the asy-
lum, the balance are Oh the different
islands, some at large and some in cOnfine-
ment at home, among the latter class six
to my knowledge can be counted in the city
of Honolulu.
Whatever objections, that existed hereto
fore against the insane institution here, as
to lack of room, provisions for classification
etc, have been substantially removed. y
new hnil1inU has hppn pOmnlptp1 within
the year, with capacity for 20 patients,
which has greatly relieved the crowded
condition of the old building. And we be-
lieve it to be the aim and object of the
Government to provide prompt and proper
accommodations for all its insane, to have
those cured that are durable and to give
reasonable comfort to those that cannot be
cured,
The location of the Asylum is in a
healthy district, surrounded with scenery,
varied and attractive; the lands are divided
into garden shady parks, and a few acres
for tillable purposes.
Enlightened experience shows the ne
cessity of giving employment to the insane
occupying their minds and hands as much
as possible. Here, the garden, lawns and
taro patches, afford abundant opportunity
for those who are able and willing to work.
On an average, SO per cent. spend a part of
the day in some useful occupation that con-
tributes, not a little to the support of the
institution. Too much however, in way of
punt SAiOAAhO nv DC SA BSCLON n
done by patients, but the amount of the
labor required should be estimated by its
benefit to he patients in restoring their
health.
would suggest that this institution be
known as the Hospital for Insane instead of
Insane Asylum. To inform a patient who
is just returning to intelligence that he is
in an insane asylum, has a very undesira-
bic effect, whereas to simply state to him
that he is in a hospital, has a consOling and
beneficial effect.
The institution is yearly becoming of
more Importance, not that insanity is on
the increase, but that the public at large
are feeling n deeper interest in the subject
of insanity, and are more and more in
clined to send the insane where they be-
long and where they can obtain proper
treatment.
il the year 1880 the average number of
patients was 30, in 1881 the number was 45,
and at present the average is %.
The mildest system for the control and
management of this unfortunate class of
people has been adopted, relying mainly
on tact, kindness and sympathy. Absolute
nOn-restraint, however, cannot be claimed.
When patients become noisy and bolster
Gus with a disposition to annoy and injure
Others, they are usually confined to their
rooms for a few hours, but no prOtracted
secIusion is allowed. But where a patient
becomes excited and violent, assaulting~the
other patients and attendants, stricking,
kicking right and left and breaking furni-
ture or trying to force his way through
windows and doors, we have no h~esitancy
in resorting to st Ong wristbands until his
fury has abated.
am under many obligations to William
Wright, manager of the Asylum, for his
prompt, kind and efficient cooperation,
and [ cheerfuIIy recommend him for your
commentator on account of his fidelity
and careful consideration of the wants of
the inmates of the institution.
To your EXcellency and to the President
of the Board of the Health, | tender my
thanks for the pOliteness with which my
ness with which my plans for improve
ments and necessary repairs have been
adopted and carried out, and for your visits,
aid and announcement given during the
year. Respectfully submitted,
Your Obedient servant,
NJ. HAGAN, NJ. D..
Physician to the Insane Asylum.