News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-09-30
The Vermont Asylum.

The biennial report of the officers
of the Vermont Asylum for the In
sane, which has been issued ready for
distribution during the past week,
possesses more than usual interest
from the fact that this report COM
pletes the record of the asylum for
the first half century Of its existence.
The board of trustees, in opening
their report, speak of the end of this
first fifty years Of work, and modest
ly say of it that
"Measured by its results in recoveries
and the benefits conferred upon its six
thousand patients as attested by statis-
tics. we have reasonable cause for salts
faction. In respect to its financial hlsto-
nv. we believe it stands alone, and that
its record is signally remarkable in that
it has not only always been self-sustain-
ing, but principally self-creative."
The period closes with $50 patients
"a larger number than usual in re-
cent years, though the average for
the two years has not been greater.
The number of patients supported by
private means, by the State, and by
towns is 129, 1872 and 1879, respec-
lively. There is a steady increase
among the inmates of those who are
residents of this State. At the close
of the biennial term in 1880, 329 of
the 447 inmates were Vermont resi-
dents in 1882 the number was 356
out of AL in 1884 it was 363 out of
437, and now it is $50 out of 45O.
The trustees believe that the general
condition and professional manage
ment of the institution are such that
they may be spoken of with full con-
fdence. They refer to the very per-
feet. system of sewerage, which was
completed last year, and to other i'm
proyements which have been accom-
plished or are in contemplation. FL
nally-
1.-The trustees feel that the work of so
years, represented by the present estab-
lishment as now completed and modern
lied, is creditable monument to those
who have had in charge the legacy of the
founder and the development of her cher
ished wishes. Their plans for the future
embrace further efforts at Improvement,
and other departures in accordance with
the ideas and demands of the times,
to the full extent of the means they may
have for the promotion of the chartered
objects of the institution"
The report of DR.. Draper, the SUI
perintendent, opens with tabulated
statement Of the results of the work
of the last two years, and this is fol-
lowed by a statement regarding some
individual cases, with the causes that
seem to have led to insanity in pa
tients admitted to treatment during
his term. Thirty -one different caus-
es were found to have been instru-
mental, the element of heredity en-
tering into the largest number OF
cases, and personal vices, inclusive of
intemperance and other designations,
operating most prominently in the
exciting causes. Occupation seems
to have had little effect as determin-
ing cause, ''but in a few instances
overwork and irregular sleep seem to
have contributed to the production OIL
nervous and mental disorder, either
by interfering with regular hours for
rest, or alternating day and night
labor, in which neither the natural
order of rest is observed nor the artl-
fetal habit of sleep acquired"
A very interesting and valuable
feature of DR.. Diapers report is
table which he presents, showing the
results of the half century in detail
year by year. This table shows that
!, in the fifty years from 1887 to 1886.
i inclusive, a total of 6076 patients
have been admitted to the asylum
An analysis of these statistics shows
, that, of all the cases received, out O
every one hundred, 80 have recovered
% have not recovered, % have died,
and 9 remain under care. This rec
ord is one which will compare favor
ably with that of any similar institu'
ton in this country, and the officers
of the Vermont asylum may we'll feel
pride and satisfaction in it.
The part of DR.. Diapers report
which follows these statistics, on the
liability to insanity, the tempera'
ments which are most likely to be.
come its victims, and the acceleratina
or restraining causes, we find to be o.
so much general interest and so full
. of solid meat, that an abstract will
not present il as it deserves, and W.
E therefore reserve it for publication il
! full in future issue. The closing
3 portion of the repo t speaks briefly o
: the new park on the hillside, which il
3 in steady course of improvement, o
the summer retreat, of the new plal
of camping out" parties of male pa
!, ltients, which has proved great sue
r cess. with decided benefit in individ
ual cases, and of the indoor life witt
S it's round of weekly entertainment
. and recreations during the winter sea
f son.
S Accompanying the report of tn
t officers Of the asylum is that of tn
q State Supervisors Of the Insane. TIL
!. report of these officials discusses il
: detail the sanitary condition of tn
+ asylum, and the general supervision
I and treatment of the patients, wit
V their life outdoor. On all these point
:. the supervisors seem to find nothin
;. to condemn and much to approve an
. warmly commend. The sanitary con
; dition Of the institution, its heatin
y and ventilation and the culinary al
I rangements they think could hardl
: be improved. They are especial
u Impressed with the emphasis whic
l, the officers of the asylum place on th
T.. =, outdoor life of the patients as see
at the Summer Retreat, at Cam
e Comfort, and in the daily exercise o
|. the home grounds and in the park
. The patients appreciate the change
!. enjoy the open air, and "the require
n ment of good behavior which is a rec
It uisiSe to future liberties, is sufficier
e to insure obedience to wholesome res
ulations." 1t is a noteworthy fat
that the inmates who are often activ
E in their decisions in the asylum ward
II are able to control their hallucins
D tons while in the enjoyment of thes
v outdoor advantages, and return
d their wards invigorated and improved
II 1.-The board refer to these matters thu
u particularly, because to this asylum b
= longs the credit of having inaugurate
70 this specific system of outdoor eXerciE
! Eand recreation for the inmates. 9th
% Easylums have followed the lead thus gi1
y en- to some extent. But none of the
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