The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-30
THE SCOTTISH ASYLUM.


c. f. Coffin, of who is now inspect
ing the asylums of Europe. has written to the
Governor stating that he would soon return to
this country. In his last letter to the Governor,
written from Edinburgh, Scotland, in speaking
of the Royal Edinburgh Asylum for the In
sane" he says:
at would be impossible to convey to you
in writing a correct impression of the Royal
Edlnb urgh Asylum for the Insane a visit TO
which to-day afforded us great satisfaction. IL
Is located at Morningside, in the suburbs OF this
very interesting old city, and is conducted under
royal charter by "a board or managers. A large
proportion of the patients are of the 'pauper
GLASS; and are sent by the city and county au-
thorities, who pay $50 per annum each for their
support, including and covering all expenses
food, clothing, medical attendance, etc. The
other patients are paid for by their friends. The
Intermediate class pay from $50 TO $40 per
annum, and a still higher class pay from 4S4
to si50 per annum. This class distinction is
Kept up In tine 1nsVl6utlon, ana those VINO nay
the higher prices are provided with better fur
ntshed apartmeuIs,h have more service, etc.
The physieian-superlntendent, T. s. Clouston,
NJ. d, (whO has been TO the United States and
knows all about our asylumsl, is q man in the
prime of life, aud alsO of great ability and origi-
nallty, WAC stands at the head OF his specially.
and impressee you at once favOrahly. Although
exceedingly busy, he devoted several hours to us
this morning. 1 could only wish that yourself
and other members of the commission could
have had the opportunity we had. he kindly
insisted upon sho wing us every department of the
institution, and in personally explaining his
methods, etc. He took an immense old asylum
with about one hundred acres of ground (which
he says is not nearly enough, aud That such an
Institution should have 400 or 500 acres), with
Its barred windows and general prison-like as
poet, and has torn away all its bars and substi-
tuUed ordinary large plate-glass windows, re-
moved all locks and allows free access and
egress, let light into all the dark places so as to
give a cheerful aspect to the whole place, re-
modelled the rooms, and, in short, totally
changed the whole institution. Every point is
clean, bright and pleasant, and even where the
patients OF most filthy habits are kept, are so
Cipan and naAf as mt To attract fha aTranfIOn of
a visitor. The patients are divided into families,
or companies, according to the popularity of the
disease or position of the persons. DIR. Clouston
has great faith in the curative power of labor
for insanity and says IL is very unfortunate for
an insane person to be unwilling to dig the
ground or to labor ont of doors. In every case
where they will do this he has strong hopes of
a cure except with paralyzed or epileptio
patients. When we first entered the
grounds we were met by a large number Of men
coming out to work with rakes, spades etc. All
the work on the farm and about the house and
grounds Is done by patients, generally under care
of "A sane man, but frequently without. Various
industries are carried on, also, within the house,
although the doctor does not consider this class
OF employment as curative as outdoor
labor. The ehoemaking, tailoring. car
peuter work. cabinet repairing. and every
ton is done by patients. We were surprised 10
find a very excellent printing office, printing the
annual reports, blanks, etc, of every descrip-
tlon used In the Institution, aud
publishing a small paper-all done by
patients, without even a sane foreman. 1t was
di5O So u tDt "0DlCu . 0OIhl tiutub. AL WHO
can lie induced to perform outdoor labor are
taken into the garden work at flowers, eteJ, and
all the domestic work of the asylum, washing,
ironing, cooking, ETC., Is done by insane women,
generally under care Ofan attendant, but some
times without, and is all well done. We asked
The doctor what the effect OF plae-
in the hands of insane persons was. He ans
wered unhesttatingly thet no difficulty had
arisen, but ii an occasional case should Occur-it
would not deter him from doing II, SO important
does he look upon it to be for the welfare of the
patients. He remarked that many people were
afraid OF insane persons; he was not. We re-
marked upon the dangers of escape in such an
open Institution, where every one could go il ne
desired. He said that they did sometimes leave,
but no trouble had arisen from 1t. and that all
such trouble was a small matter compared with
the advantages gained. They have recently
taken an exceedingly interesting Old place, with
a history extending back several hundred years,
and refitted 1t, retaining its marked peculiarities
fer the better class of patients, who are under
no more restraint than they would be in any
private family. His attendants, both meu and
women, are all trained by serving a time in the
hospital department, where they learn that in-
sanity is- like other sickness aud needs ten
der care. No mechanical restraints of any
kind are permitted, and no cross OF
ankind word, nor any blows OF rough usage are
allowed ON the part of an attendant. The Doc
tor has three assistant physicians and sees per-
sonally every patient lover 500 In all every day.
They have recently taken q house on the SEA
shore, and send selected patients, in small de-
there. We were mueh struck with
the entire candor and Openness of DR.. Clouston,
and with his readiness to speak of uHfavorabls
points and the absence of ali Boosting. While
he enters upon his work with great earnestness,
there is a wonderful calmness and a we'll
balanced mind in all he does. We procured his
opinion upon many points IN reference 10 our
new asylums. which we will communicate TO
you when We see you.
edinburgh is one of the most beautiful and
charming cities we have visited. We go North
from here, for a Scotch tour, tomorrow, and
shall return here liz about a week.
81 omitted TO mention thar the cost of conduct
ing this asylum is all met from the receipts from
patients and there is money enough left TO make
all improvements, build all new houses. etc. The
estimated cost of each PATIENTS $50 per annum.'