National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-10-22
THE CONVICT INSANE.
DR.. Godding Calls for a Separate Building for
Homicldcs aud Criniinals-Othor Points in
His Report.

DR.. Goddlng Calls for a Separate Building for
Homicldcs aud Criniinals-Othcr Points in
His Report.
The need of n separate hospital for the care
of the homicilal patients Mt the government
insane asylum Is emphasized by DR.. W. w.
Goddng in his annual report. There are nine
convict inmates from civil life, besides the
military and other prisoners of the United
states, and DR.. GOdding asks $4,000 with
which to erect q separate aud safe asylum for
them. An act of loS3 gives the attorney gen
cral power to send United States insane con-
viCts to this institution
At the date ofthe report June 30, there were
remaining in the asylum LAG patients. OF
the 3il patients admitted during the year, 10
came from the army, 10 from the navy, from
the Marine hospital and 1876 from private lie
ono of the patients committed suicide by
hanging The mortality was 4.99 per cent on
the number admitted. There were cases of
klcptomnnia aud nymphomania and z OF
typhomania. Ofthe 6O22 cases treated since
the opening of the hospital, the largest mum.
Der became insane between the nges of p ana
30 years, and the next largest number between
20 and % years, and the next between ~ ana
30 years. There are ii private patients, The
report states that the number of adm sslons-
8lI-is the largest during any year since the
close OF the war, The mortality for the year
was hardly per cent.
The home building for tho patients for the
L
| the wing to the main building have been COM
pletcd during the past year
The report states that outdoor life continues
to be prominent feature of the treatment
and the results are satisfactory. The plan Of
employing the inmates has been attempted in
work on the farm and grounds, but the report
states that more can be accomplished with
the trades such rs mattress making, tailor
ing brush and mat making painting. sewing,
and domestic duties. The appointment of n
pnthulogist who makes autopsies, and devotes
his entire time to the study of the changes
wrought by, and the pathological appearances
| left behind by insanity, is a new departure
and promises good results.
The produce from the firm and garden was
valued ut $50, no. with produce valued at ST.
$50 consumed on the farm. The estimates for
the fiscal year ending June, 1856 contain the
| following amounts: For support OF patients
S2IOOOD for repairs and improvement OF build.
ing and grounds, $1,000. An appropriation of
$4,000 is asked for special improvements,
among which are n greenhouse aud cold
grupery. cottages ON the outside farm. work
shop for the inmates, and dining hall for the
detached buildings. Forthe purchase of addt-
tional land for farming purposes, $4,000, and II
is suggested that the stevens farm, of about
forty acres, be purchased; for the erection OF n
$4,000 The total receipts during the year
were S}59, $50. 80, and this amount was expended
with the exception of SGIOj.
The medical staff has been increased by the
promotion of DR.. j. c. Simpson TO assistant
physician, and Dr. j. L. Kenney, Of Vermont
was appointed night medical officer, in Dr.
simpsons place. DR.. j. W. Blackburn has
been appointed special Psychologist in the
hospital.