The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-25
ENGLAND's AsYLUMs.
A Letter from Charles #. Coffin to Governor
Porter-The Cottage System.

Governor Porter yesterday received the fol-
lowing letter from Charles F. Coffin, of Rich
mond, who, in company with his wife, is now
visiting the insane hospitals and benevolent n
situations of Europe:
MANCHESTER. ENGLAND, July 8.
Governor A. G. Porter;
Dear Friend-We have visited three asylums
In England, and we leave for Scotland to-mor-
row will report of these Co You. We have not
thought 1t necessary to visit many of the great
number OF insane asylums in this land. They
ABOUND every where, and are generally old, CON
gregate institutions All of them are modifying
their system of treatment and abanioning ali
physical restraint in the way of mechanical ap-
paratus. and substituting for very restless
paulents secusiOn in close room for short
Times Another important difference we find ex-
lSts IN the institutions which supported by
tne government, and which they speak of as
pauper asylums," and those supported by pay
patients. All are under government supervi-
s1 ana are visited and thoroughly examined
py the 'lunacy commission" once or twice
year, and the condition of every patient inquired
i iii as guard against abuses of every
kihu; out In the pauper asylums there Is
much less attention paid to the details of
management than In the others.
Cotton Hill Asylum, near Stafford, under care
oi Dr. Hewson, has a national reputation. We
did not find DR.. Hewson at home but his gem
tlemanly assistant, DR.. Hall, showed us every
atCehtlon ana gave US all the information in his
power IL is an asylum for pay patients, most
beautifully situated a farm OF 100 acres
hlghty improved, with grounds well adorned,
near oo per cent, and are not reported until
after years trial in all doubtful cases. The
ma man building is large asylum-looking build
InR, WITH iron sasn, so painted, however, as to
obscure the material; but the physician said
they were abandoning iron and substituting
wood. They have built several cottages i'll the
vicinity, and find them satisfactory There are
many separate apartments in the main building,
SO tnat patients can be secluded if desired. The
G0st 10 each patient Is from 81 80 to 80 per week.
Ihey recommend families of about twenty each.
Am9sements OF all kinds much
i used his The Doctor Doctor; was unqualified
says IL Is very important means
OF recovery but they have power to enforce
1t, They have a beautiful chapel and chap
lain. Some of the patients go to town 30 church.
and many OF them walk unrestrained around the
grounds. 1t is cheerful, pleasant institution,
IN winch the system of separation into families
or. groups is carried out effectually, and yet
without any extremes. From Cotton Hill we
went to Stafford County Asylum. Dr. Porter
was very i'll, but an assistant, DR.. Christian was
exceedingly kind.
This is a pauper asylum-has 700 inmates
Some excellent new buildings are being added
it Is splendid institution, of the old kind very
many improvements having been adopted The
physician in charge unquafedly favors the
where it can be done; but, for large asylum
supported by the State, thinks their system the
only one which could be adopted. They have a
large number of epileptics who kept in a
separate ward. They have abandoned all physi-
cal restraints and cOntine violent patients for a
time IN separate room, and "pack"
them well with bandages wet in cold
water, as remedial measure. They
have a farm of 100 acres, worked by the
patients, and carry forward several branches of
mechanical work by the same Labor they look
upon as an important element in restoration
Altogether the most interesting and important
asylum we have visited since we left home is
the Manchester Royal Lunatic Asylum, at
Cheadle, near this place. 1t is situated in the
midst of a most beautiful country, surrounded
by mansions of the wealthy aud looking like an
elegant country home as we approached it, Dr.
Mould, its able manager, was absent, but Dr.
Hewson, his first assistant, gave us every at
tent1on. They are strong advocates for the sep
aratlon OF patients into cottages, and have upon
the farm of 100 acres eight cottages containing
from two to twelve patients each. They have
also four cottages at n very delightful place in
Wales, and two in Staffordshire, to which some
patients are sent for change of scene and sur
from $3.50 TO SO per week, which may be in
creased as parents or their friends desire The
main building, erected thirty or forty years ago,
Is used for about 40 patients,
and has the Offices etc, in it.
The recommend unhesitatingly houses for not
exceeding twelve patients, with q man and wife,
II possible, In charge. We some of the new
cottaPes just erected and Will be able to give
you On cur return many details which we cannot
take time to write now Suffice it to say that
this is model institu ton, completely carrying
out all the improved methods, many of which
have originated with DR.. Mould, its superintend-
enu.
Our trip has been one of unmingled pleasure
We have seen much and have enjoyed 1t very
much. We have taken return passage for the
26th instant, and in the meantime we hope to
see Scotland. am, very truly your friend,
G. f. COFFIN.