Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-01-25

LEGISLATION ON lNSAN1Tr.-A COLLECTION
OF ALL THE LUNAcY LAWS OF THE STATES
AND TERRITORIES OF THE UNITED STATES TO
THE YEAR 1888, INCLUSIVE ALSO THE LAWS
OF ENGLAND ON acknowledgements
IN CANADA ON PRIVATE HousEs, AND In
PoRTANT PORTIONS OF THE LUNACY LAWS
OF GERMANY, FRANCE, ETc.-BY GR0R91
T.. HARRISON. l.. L. d., PHILADELPHIA.
The subject Of the treatment of the insane
Is attracting more and more attention and
study Some of the best minds and most
noted philanthropists are engaged in efforts
to improve or ameliorate the condition Of the
insane. The author of the work with the
foregoing title, Is the late President of the
Board of Public Charities of Pennsylvania.
In that position he had ample opportunities
of observing the condition of the inmates Of
hos pitals and asylums for the insane In
Pennsylvania and other States. He became
deeply interested in these institutions aud
their inmates, and az result we have Q vol.
ume here that will shed great deal Of light
upon the question of insanity and the laws
by which asylums for the insane are estab-
lished and governed
The preface contains many facts, sugges-
tions, and recommendations which are
worthy of consideration. The body Of
the work contains the laws In regard 70
lunacy in every State and Territory Of the
United States. Such a collection must be Of
great value to physicians, lawyers, and all
who desire to obtain the widest acquaintance
possible with the question of lunacy and its
treatment. To these are added the laws Of
England on insanity, legislation in Canada
| on private houses, and important portions OF
| the lunacy laws of Germany and France.
The appendix contains the report Of Com
mission appointed by Governor Hoyt, of
Pennsylvania, in 1882, to consider the ques-
| ton of the care of the insane in Pennsylvania,
the mode of their introduction to and treat
ment in public and private asylums, their
supervision and release; in fine. to examine
the whole system and inquire into the legis-
lation of other States and countries, and re-
port for the information Of the Legislature the
result of their Investigations and conclu-
sions. This report is very thorough and val
liable. To it is appended the draft Of law
submitted by the Commission, which with
few changes was adopted by the Legislature
of Pennsylvania.
Besides containing large amount Of i'm
portant information this volume will have
tendency to render the laws of the different
States in regard to lunacy more uniform, ,snd
bring them more nearly in conformity with
| the best legislation in the most advanced
States. The book is well printed and bound
in sheep. It will be valuable acquisition 70
any library.
| We have received copy Of what may be .
very useful book if properly used, entitled
sLessons on the Human Body" an sls-
mentary treatise upon physiology, hygiene,
and the effects of stimulants and narcotics on
the human system. By Orestes d. Brands,
Principal of Grammar and Primary Schools,
Paterson, N. J. 1t is well arranged - . taxi
book for schools. where it may be advantage
eously employed.
i Charles Scribner's Sons have published Q
short biography of "Luther," by James An
thony Froude. This little volume contains
an excellent history, abounding in facts, clear
in statement. concise. direct. forcible, Of one
Of the most remarkable Of men, to whom the
world is immensely indebted for the progress
in freedom .of thought and freedom ffen
priestcraft of the last 400 years.