Morning journal and courier., 1885-11-20
FACTS AND STATISTICS

Concerning the Insane at Mtddletown HOspItaI-The Increase of old People as Patients-The Durability of mel- anch0lIR Cases.
 The annual report of the board of trustees of the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane at Middletown shows that there were in the hospital at the commencement of the hospi- tai year 923 patients-413 men and 510 women.
 During the seven months covered by the report 209 were admitted, 103 men and 160 women; making the whole number under treatment ,132.
 The number of patients disc harged was 7S, of whom 35 were men and 39 were women. There were 39 deaths, 19 men and 20 wo- men.
 The average number of patients was 946, of whom 427 were men and 518 were women. The number remaining June 30 was ,019, 462 men and 557 women.
 The disparity of numbers between the sexes may be explained in three ways. In Connecticut there are more women than men; large proportion of insane men cover or die, while insane women more ire quently pass into state of partial chronic dementia, which tends to prolong life. Hence a gradual, but steady accumulation of chron- ic cases.
 CONDITION OF THE PATIENTS.
 The character of the admissions has not varied essentially from former years. Of the 209 ffty-one were readmissions. majority of these were taken away to make room for more urgent cases and returned soon as the new building was opened. As showing the unfavorable character of many of the admissions, it should be mentioned that there were seven cases of general pare sis, ten of epilepsy, five of imbeclllty and ln 42 others the duration of insanity on admission varied from ten to forty years. No reasonable hope of recovery can be enter tained in any of these cases. Sixty-fve were acute recent cases of insanity; that is, in sixty-five cases the symptoms of insanity dated back less than six months from time of admission. It is in this small class that hopeful cases are found. Five persons were admitted under twenty years of age-the youngest being only thirteen
 The oldest person admitted was aged nine ty and there were forty-three persons be- tween the ages of seventy and ninety years.
 Three insane convicts were transferred from Wethersfeld prison; one of whom was returned by the medical examining commis- sion after three months observation at the hospital
 Of the 2O9 persons admitted 129 were sup ported by the State and towns, 75 by State and friends, and 5 by self or friends. INCREASING NUMBER OF OLD PEOPLE RE
 cE1vED.
 Dr. Shew, the superintendent, in speaking of the increasing tendency to place old peo- pie in the hospital, says ''I do not suppose that there is a real increase of insanity in persons over SO; for the moral and mental causes of insanity do not then act with such intensity in earlier periods of life, but there appears to be growing tendency the part of friends and public officials to send old people whose peculiarities and ec- centricities have become exaggerated; whose powers of self-control have grown less than 1n middle life. Then, too, I think society has of late become less tolerant of individual morbid peculiarities. I could point to many of these cases that am sure would not have been sent to an asylum twenty-five years ago. All of these persons, however, are weak in mind and body and unable to properly care for themselves. The hospital is, therefore, doing it's legitimate work in receiving them, even at the risk of lengthening its mortuary tables"
 Here is an interesting extract as to class of cases which, according to Dr. Shew. is generally misunderstood: ''It is @ popular notion that cases of Inelancholia are most unfavorable. The intense despondency blended with delusion of having committed some unpardonable sin, or of being possessed by the devil, causes the intensest emotional disturbance. The common belief is that such cases dQ not get we'll As g matter of cautIon slouId1 - EfselI rtsYs5 oOf ing this class of religious melencholiacs.' They are all suicidal or homieidal, and the propensity is often the first symptom to be recognized and the last to depart As a re- suit patients are sometimes discharged too soon, or are taken away by friends before having fully recovered. We had one such case this year of very unfavorable charac- ter, who made rapid progress towards recov- 2. Dry. Unfortunately her husband came to visit the hospital, and, finding her so much improved, insisted upon taking her home, even against our earnest protest, to place her in faith cure. Within afew days the neigh borhood was aroused by the cry of 'Mur- derP An officer rushed into the house just in tins to divert the blow which was aimed at her infant child by this insane mother She gave as an excuse that "she was going to send the child to heaven.'" In general the year is recorded as succe 1sful one both f. nancially and otherwise, and there is sur plus of income over expenditures. The trus- tees record the completion of the center building and north wing of the thew south' building, so that there now accommoda- tions for all patients who have applied, while