The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-04-06
LUNATlCS IN ALABAMA.
A. Asylum that Has Rurnad its Strait.
Jackets and Governs Only by Kiadness.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala, March 29.-THE Sun re-
Gently announced that a committee had boon
appointed to investigate the abuses in tho
Utica Lunatic Asylum. 1t may interest Now
York people to know that the Alabama Insane
Asylum in this city IL believed by many per-
sons competent to judge to be tho bost conduct
ed insane asylum In the country. Its surround
ings arc beautiful and 1t Is more like charm
ing home than an asylum. Tho Superintendent
is DR.: T. Bryce. and It Is to the law OF slndness
which he adopted at the beginning that Is que II,
" Tie buildings IRE almost pnlatial. All tho
The gas Il made on tho promises from tho coal
steam. and supplied with no. and cold water.
Each ward has Its dining room. bath room. cor
End bay Wna9w
birds. and we'll -stockod 0auaria. Tho cham
bers. with their rustic furniture. pretty mot
wiling than ordinary hotel rooms.
No mecnnnica restraint is used With the
twenty years aso. No punIsiiment is permit
tionts, and there is good cause for tho preju-
Patisnts are sometimes brought to tho asy-
lum tied or maaaeed H1l nra opticsd Into tho
Of the Kind. But they are promptly released
by. tho doctor, who tells Thorn the truth. lilo
inm. and have come to b. S curea and that il
they win submit to medical treatment and
comply with the rules Of the insti;Iton they
sest arc eiiowed to minsis with tho sthor pa.
lowed. there hNs been but, one homicide or sui
eide The t%SntY
sitsrward the food cars take The meals to lilo
different wards. The dining tnb!cs arc covered
with sno,lcss linen, shining LG Glasa. taftI,y.
breakfast the prayer bell rings md the patients
are taken to q beautiful chapel, Both the Su-
pstiens. At ther m faces arc Wre al
and VII %y they S 5n tine wa ia
this 10 given without stint. Those who have
attended prayers In good many college
dqSf afas ssa ss ssssRG rings utmost
THd ao
kinds Of work are provided, There nre, work
S farm and garden for those Who prefer That
kind q labor; Tho women assist tho attend.
OF clothing is. made BY the attendants and
patients. Sowing machines worked hy water
power. 80 as not to fatigue Nro used. Some
that Il IS not iTe ihlnG 10 Do idc. anil unless
sowing bacs. knitting bocs. and many other
| devices to make tho tims pass pleasantly.
On every pleasant afternoon tho nurscs take
! tho patients out tn walk In tho grounds Of the
| asylum, ind often beyond. For those who nre
feoblo large airn. courts are provided. For
| their amusement. every possible. arrangement
is mndo. They haye Gass bli! and croIuot
skating rink. and billiard tables, In tho
amu1"mrnt hal they hay" stnEe mi 5GSn"ry
attendants, and ofIlcsrrs nsSi.t. Twlce wesl;
paper which 1. HdItoi and, printed by tho
patients says Of dancing: This Is an amuse,
Storeoptcon EXHIBITIONS concerts, debates
| recitatons, all in tlrn hclD to make the oven
| ines delightful.
On sunday they have preaching by ono Of
tho city pastors. AMI in tho afternoon snryico
| Of song Their newspaper is called tho Meteor.
| 1t does not appear with much regularity
| Specimens have been asked from every par
| OF the country and oven from Europa. Upor
the failure OF the papcr TO urinar Mt tho rrtri
lar time the editor Recently said in his editorial
A. the law Cow r!n1 lie movements of other mrtror
has never beea rSro'mf, do MT feel u lncnn.'en
on me 10 Rccouat for The irrcyuar.ty OF tie asylum
] Meteor