Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-09-24

The biennial report of the officers of the
Brattleboro asylum just issued possesses
especial interest from the fact that this re
port completes the record of the asylum
for the first half century of its existence.
The trustees. at the end OF this first fifty
years, say of the institution, that
Measured by its results in recoveries
and the benefits conferred upon its six
thor and patients as attested by statistics,
we have reasonable cause for satisfaction.
In respect to its financial history, we be
lieve it stands alone, and that its record
Is signally remarkable in that it has not
only always been seli-sustaining, but
principally selfcreative.
The asylum now has $50 patients-a
larger number than usual in recent years.
The number of patients supported by pri-
vate means is l29 by the State Il? and by
towns is lS9. There is Il steady increase of
inmates who are residents of this State. AT
the close of the biennial term in 1850, SO of
the AZ inmates were Vermont residents :;
1852 the number was 356 out of AL in 1854
it was 363 out of 49, and now it is $50 out
of $50. The trustees refer to various inn
prOvements-among others to the very
perfect system of sewerage which was
completed last year, and to other i'm
provements which are in contemplation.
They add:
The trustees feel that the work of fifty
Years, represented 10y the present estab-
'lshment as now completed and modern
.ed Is IA CT edltable 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 iutule
embrace further efforts at improvement
and other departures IN accordance with
the ideas and demands of the tlme to the
full extent of the means they have for the
promotion of the chartered objects of the
institution.
The report of DR.. Draper, the superin-
tendent, opens with a tabulated statement
of the results of the work of the last two
years, is followed by II statement of the
causes which seem 90 have led to insanity
in patients admitted to treatment during
tins term In II majority OF cases, insan-
ity was hereditary. In other personal
vices inclusive of intemperance and other
designations, operated most prominently
in the exciting causes Occupation seems
to have had little effect as determining
cause, "but in IA few instances overwOrk
and irregular sleep seem to have contrib
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
artificial habit of sleep acquired"
An interesting and valuable feature OF
DR. Diapers report is table showing the
results of the half century in detail year
by year. This shows that in the NIFTY
years from 1887 to 1856, inclusive, total
of G01G patients have been admitted to the
asylum. OF all the cases received out OF
every one hundred 80 have recovered, ~
have not recovered, % have died, and s
remain under care. THIS record Is one
which viii compare favorably with that
of any similar institution in this country
and the officers of the Vermont asylum
may well feel pride and satisfaction in it.
The part of DR.. Diapers report which
discusses the subject OF the liability to in
sanity, the temperaments which are most
| likely to become its victims, and the ac-
celebrating or restraining causes, we shall
copy in future issue,
Accompanying the report is that of the