Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-12-18
Our Lewis County Letter.
WESTON, LEWIS Co., w. Va.
December Is, 1886. (

December Is, 1886.
In my last letter, by some error of
your compositor you make me say !;
Physicians neoer visit female wards,
&c.--Instead of which wrote, ply
sicians alone visit such wards, except
on occasion of repair demanding the
presence of an engineer or carpenter.
In the strict discipline of the insti-
tuition no male is allowed as a visitor
except when they may have female
relative whom they desire to see.
In the Democrat, published in
Weston, there appeared on Saturday
the list, a dignified and able de-
fence of the officers of the institu-
ton, in which there appears from the
record of the report of the directors,
which is composed of nine intelligent,
honorable. high-minded gentlemen,
from various parts Of the State, who
at their late session, in October, make
the following comment on the asylum,
both as to the successful treatment,
low expenses, and general sanitary
condition.
ut is matter of great satisfaction
to the humane to learn from the
superintendent report, that the per.
cent of cured. on admission, is about
one-half. We also wish to call atten-
ton to the fact that the aggregate
cost per. capita, per. week, for keep
ing patients for the year ending Sept.
30th. 1886, was only ($3. 1879 and
for the past six months, ending Sept.
3Oth, &c., it was only $2.077-13 which
includes all expenses in running the
institution. Which is cheaper than
it ever has been here, or, at any
other similar institution, and which
surely demonstrates the fact, that
those in charge of the hospital are
not guilty of waste or extravaganza
The board passed through the en-
tire building. carefully scrutinizing
everything relating to the health and
comfort of the patients, and we are
gratified to say to your excellancy as
well as to the friends of the unfortu-
nate inmates, that we believe no pains
are spared or attention wanting on
the part of the officers to promote
the health of the patients. The above
should be sufficient refutation OF the
vile SANDER, given to the public from
motives Of malevolence and blind
party zeal conceived in wickedness
and promulgated through envy and
spite. The writer has now been iden-
titled as an employee, nearly three
years, with freedom of access to all
departments, occupied by male pa
TENTS, and could if necessary, quail
| fy under oath that the condition Of
the institution is at all times kept ir
such condition and service and atten,
ton to the unfortunates is given az
has so faithfully been stated by the
directors. AS have in former com
munications stated that each patient
is supplied daily with three good
meals, of substantial character
composed of the best West Virgins
beef, potatoes, rice, turnips, cabbage
with fine coffee and tea for breakfast,
and supper, water at dinner, and on
the occasion of Thanksgiving OF
Christmas, very superior dinner
with the universal turkey has always
been provided, each one is seen and
known that they partake of the food
prepared at each meal. In the article
from which I take the report of the
directors, / also copy the following
"We know we can state to those hav-
ing friends and relatives in the asy
lum, that DIR. Bland and his assis-
tants extend cordial invitation to
them to come and personally examine
and investigate the treatmentof their
friends or relatives, physically and
mentally, and to inspect the hospital,
from foundation to turret. 1t is I'M
deniable that all who have ever visit
ed the institution has gone away per-
fectly satisfied and no complaint has
ever been made, or charge preferred
by one."
| General health of inmates remains
good; Very few are sick, requiring
special nursing, at present. Three
admissions, all males, one from Roane
and two from Preston county, and
one young man returned who was
out upon bond. One patient eloped,
not yet returned. Number under
treatment, GIT.