The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1883-01-13
THE Kahn lnsAnE AsYLUM.

Inc ne" auultlon TO the insane Hospital,
for which $1,000 was appropriated by the
Government, is a credit to the nation and
admirably exemplifies the generous philan-
throphy of the country and Government.
In many other countries hospitals and
asylums of this description are almost
entirely dependent upon private subscrip-
ton. In the most advanced and civilized
lands, these institutions have only quite
recently reached any degree of complete
ness and comfortable capacity. The people
OF Hawaii are to be congratulated for their
progressiyeness in as much as many larger
and weather commonwealth have almost
neglected to provide suitable refugees for the
unfortunate, while the most powerful civil
lied nations have not made, proportion
ately, a greater provision for those who
demand public care and pity, thar our
insular but wise and beneficent Govern
ment.
In contrast with the old buildings, the
new structure is a vast improvement. 1t
is large n capacious. The rooms are of
good dimensions and well ventilated. Each
is furnished neatly and splendidly adapted
to the comfort and convalescence of pa
tents. In comparison with similarsbuild-
ings in Europe and America this is perhaps
not so ornamental and mnch less eXpen-
sive; but Tor utility, convenience and
adaptability to the greatest essential needs
of such an institution it compares favor
ably with the best in existence. 1t is
large enough to accommodate twenty
five patients without crowding. Besides,
there is a good-sized sitting room where
those who have recovered sufficiently
may congregate comfortably to pass
the time in reading or conversation
The arrangement of this room particularly
illustrates the happy taste and wise judg-
ment of DIR. Hagan, who has indeed planned
the whole structure.
That gentleman's interest and solicitude
for the well being of those entrusted to his
care and treatment, and his comprehensive
knowledge of the wants and necessaries
appertaining to everything connected with
his charge, was deeply impressed on the
officers of the Government and members of
the Press on Thursday inspected the new
building. The Doctor conducted his visitors
from room to room, explained everything
in d tail, and courteously led them to
examine the d%ilapidated old sheds with a
prison-pen aspect, which have hitherto been
the only shelter of the poor objects of pity
and charity.
The old buildings are decayed and out of
date. In no particular are they adequate to
the rapidlyincreasing demands and growing
popularity and Importance of the institu-
ton. There are at present fifty-twO patients,
of which twenty-five are natives, six
Americans, six Englishmen, two East In
dams, and fourteen Cinnamon. Statistics
show that among all nationalities there is a
general average of about one insane in
dividual to every thousand of population.
According to this proportion, Hawaii has
considerable less than the usual number OF
these unfortunates, but she is not, there
fore, determined to be less humane or less
solicitous for their care and welfare. Oh
late the mortality has been somewhat great
among the inmates of the Asylum, but this
is readily accounted for by the circumstance
that many of the deceased were very old.
Great care is taken on the part of the
doctor and nurses to prevent any escape OF
those who are dangerous in the community
by reason of their Affections. At the same
time, no violence is resorted to except in
cases of absolute necessity, and all possible
freedom is permitted. Those who are
capable, physically, of light labor are
kept busy among the tarc patches, OF
about the garden grounds, that their
minds, which are generally the sole seat OF
the disease, may be gradually distracted
from their illusions by continual occupa'
tons. AS soon as any show the signs Of
absolute recovery they are permitted
to depart on probation. for a period,
and if they prove to be cured then
they are finally discharged, but if the ma
lady returns the patient is brought back.
This is a very wise p%recaution, as it at once
furnishes a test of the cure and enables the
patient to enjoy the earliest benefits of hi:
restoration.
At 7 { o'clock in the morning those under
treatment are prepared for breakfast. Al
earlier hour is not chosen because sleep anC
rest is beneficial to the majority of patients
All are cleaned and provided. with a suita
BILE diet. After they have eaten, all pro
coed to their proper stations for he day
Sentries guard them perpetually from acci
dent or escape, both by day and by night
None are permitted to escape for a momen
from the observation of these vigilan
guards. A few must be confined in thei
rooms on account of the extreme violence
of their disorder, but most of those even
who are incompetent to perform the slight
| 81 mOIh Az 1AIONCo " "GAh 1SC'J oCCpe
The grounds are neat, carefully laid on
beautiful. A fragrant air pervades al
the environments the sight is healthful
somewhat sequestered and in all respect
advantageously situated.
Any land might be grateful for such
philanthrophic institution, so admirabl.
planned, so ably conducted, and so agree
ably arranged in all the minutie of it
management. 1t is a place where relative
can be sent, who are unfortunate, withou
begetting misgivings in the sympathizins
bosoms of their nearest friends. 1t partake
more of the nature of a hospital and a home
than of a mere asylum. Every appoint
ment connected with it is judlcious ant
excellent. The whole design indicates th'
ability, humanity, generosity, and yet the
economy of the Government, which pro
provided for its erection, and carefully chose
the right men to superintend the construc