The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-12-17
THE TERRITORY'S WARDS.
A Brief Visit to the Asylum at
Provo.

On Tuesday visit was taken to the
Territorial Insane Asylum by HER-
AID representative, who was, through
the kindness Of DR.. W. r. Pike. taken
through the corridors where the pa
tients were leisurely amusing them
selves, some playing cards. others read
ing; and some at their usual antics.
We were first shown through the female
ward; here there were twenty-five
females, who are mostly engaged in
knitting and various other occupations
of the kind. Only two attendants are
required to take care of the twenty-five
women, and they certainly gel along
nicely. The insane woman VINO short
time ago had child "a girl born at tie
Asylum, is allowed to take care Of tn :
infant. and she is very attentive to
it. From the female ward, which is on
the second floOr-the first floor or
basement beingoccupied p the
employees assembled 10 the third
story, which is the male ward. three at
PENDANTS b ing required here. Here
the Doctor was received very cordially.
distinctly showing what kind OF treat
ment the patients receive at the hands
OF those in attendance, The number of
patients now at the asylum is fifty,
there being twenty-five females and the
same number of males. On entering
the corridors in both wards. your rep
reSentative was somewhat surprised TO
see all the patients together, as though
they were all perfectly sane, and OF one
| family. with the exception, Of course,
| of a few who seemed not at all sOciable,
and were gazing at the floor or lying
down in such languishing positions, as
would at once give the observer the I'M
preston that they had been at some
ward on the Doctor entering
and. shaking hands. would ask about
his hea n; ID most pro ninent among
them being sherman, who was at one
time. while II the Salt Lake Asylum,
considered such q dangerous case. but
who now is allowed out with the others.
On many subjects be is quite sane, and
is one of the btss patients. The Doctor
was invited TO g game of crib by Sher-
man, and after playing the game, we
proceeded to converse with some OF the
others. Chlnaman being among the
number. The treatmen they receive
.
among the fifty insane, there is not one
who does not show his Cor herI appre-
citation of the kindness displayed to him
and it can easily be observed that they
are all thoroughly satisfied with their
quarters, and in fact, would be 10th to
leave.
The medical superintendent is a little
apprehensive as to whether there is
hope for the permanent cure of more
than five of the numb r now there,
fOrty-five OF the cases having been OF
from three TO thirty years duration.
The counties in Utah should be more
judicious, and take advantage of the
privilege to send the insane unfortu-
mates to the asylum. before they
become raVing maniacs, and there
would then be some hone
of recovery, and it would also be a
source of great satisfaction both to the
gentlemen connected with the institu-
ton and to the public to know that a
cure could be effecte There can be no
better place for them, and We can assure
the people that they are in good and
I cOmDetent hands; and are treated as
| human beings, who on account of their
unfortunate condition, are to be pitied
and cared for in the kindest
and most humane manner. The build
/ ing, for cleanliness, is kept like q pal
ace, and as comfortable and hOmeliks
as it possibly can bs made. DR.. Pike
/ deserves praise for his able manage
ment and for the kindness he displays
/ TO all the patients. The systematic
manner in which the institution is run
Is of itself guarantee of its success.
VARAH.