Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-09-17

chartered objects of the institution"
The report of DIR. Draper, the superintend
emit, opens with a tabulated statement of the
results Of the work Of the last two years, and
this is followed by statement regarding
some individual cases. with the causes which
seem to have led to insanity in patients adj
mitted to treatment during this term. Thirty
one different causes were found to have been
instrumental the element of heredity enter
ing into the largest number Of cases, and
personal vices, inclusive Of intemperance and
other designations, operating most prominent
ly in the exciting causes. Occupation seems
to have had little effect as a determining
cause, "but in few instances overwork and
irregular sleep seem to have contributed to
the production of nervous aud mental disor-
der, either by interfering with regular hours
for rest, or alternating day aud night labor, in
which neither the natural order of rest is OBJ
served nor the artificial habit of sleep acquir
ed"
A very interesting and valuable featare of
Dr.. Diapers report is table which he pre-
sents, showing the results of the half century
in detail year by year. This table shows that
in the fifty years from 1887 to 1856, inclusive,
a total of GO7G patients have been admitted to
the asylum. An analysis Of these statistics
shows that, of all the cases received, out of
every one hundred 80 have recovered, % have
not recovered, 25 have died. and remain I'M
der care. This record is one which will com
pare favorably with that of any similar insti-
tuition in this country and the officers of the
Vermont asylum may well feel pride and sat
isfacton in it.
The part of DR.. Diapers report which fol-
lows these statistics, on the liability to insan-
ity, the temperaments which are most likely
to become its Victims and the acceleratng or
restraining causes, we find to be of so much
general interest and so full of solid meat,
that an abstract will not present it as it de
serves and we therefore reserve it for publ
cation in full in a future issue, The clos
| ing portion of the report speaks briefly of
the new park on the hillside which is in
steady course of improvement of the Sum
mer Retreat, of the new plan of camping
out" parties of male patients which has
proved great success, with decided bent fit
in individual cases, and of the indoor life with
reations during the winter season.
Accompanying the report OF the officers of
the asylum is that of the State Supervisors
of the Insane. The report of these officials
discusses in detail the sanitary condition OF
the asylum, and the general supervision and
treatment of the patients, with their life out.
door. On all these points the supervisors
seem to find nothing to condemn and much to
approve and warmly commend. The santa
ry condition of the institution, its heating
and ventilation and the culinary arrange.
ments they think could hardly be improved
They are especially impressed with the EN-
phasis which the officers of the asylum place
on the outdoor life of the patients as seer
at the Summer Retreat" at Camp Com
fort, and in the daily exercise on the home
grounds and in the park The patients APP
preciate the change, enjoy the open air, ant
"the requirement of good behavior which il
a requisite to future liberties, is sufficient t.
insure obedience to wholesome regulations
1t is a noteworthy fact that inmates who ar,
often active in their delusions in the asylum
wards are able to control their hallucination
while in the enjoyment of these outdoor ad
vantsges, and return to their wards invigor
sted and improved.
"The board refor to these matters thus particular
y because to this asylum belongs the credit Of hay
ing inAugurated this specific system of outdoor ex
ercise and recreation for the inmates. Other asylum
have followed the lead thus given to some extent
But of them have the facilities for its almos
unlimited extension which are found in the broa
ard diversified acres in one body which attache,
to this asylum
The provisions for indoor exercise and rec
reation in the fall and winter are no less com
plete. The verandas, the courtyards tn
gymnasium, the billiard room, the dancing
parties, the dramatic exercises and lectures il
the chapel, afford pleasing variety of exer
else and entertainment, which the inmate
seem to enjoy and appreciate" The treat
ment of the patients is in every respect hu
name and in accordance with the most mod
ern scientific methods.
During the past biennial term the super
visors have looked after the welfare an,
proper treatment of those patients who hav,
been discharged as "incurabe" and mot dan
gerous" to make room in the asylum for 9th
ers, and they have made an effort, with onl
partial success, to find out how many insan
there are in the state out of the asylum
Enough has been learned, however, to shoN
that the number is large. Some are confines
iDTooms by themselves under more restrain
than is found necessary in the asylum som
are inofensve and kept in poorhouscs on
or two individual cases were learned of wher
the unfortunate victims are kept in a revolt
ing condition as to their surroundings, bu
for the most part they are well provided fol
The most important and significant part o
the supervisors report is that in which the
treat of the criminal and convict insane,
J meaning by this term those inmates who hay
. been sent 10 the asylum from the state prise
or those who committed some crime afte
, they became insane which led to their CON
initial to the asylum. Tue supervisors hav
evidently made a careful study of this sui
ject, and we are glad to see that their inves
LEGATIONS have led them to the only legitimat
and proper conclusion-that this class of in
mates should be removed from the asylum
proper and cared for by the state in conneC
ton with one of the prisons. These inmate
are in a sense outcasts from the world mos
of them are dangerous" in their tendencie
and their liberation under any circumstance
would not be tolerated They are all 'incur
ables and the most that can be done TO
them is to provide for their secure isolation
under kind aud humane treatment.
with attendants sufficient to insure their obed
ence to all restraints required; proper care whe
sick the necessary food for the proper susenauc5
the body; such exercise as their necessary restrain
shall admit; and when this is accomplished all tina
eau be done for this class of insane persons in rem
edal way lie done. They a class separated entire
ly from all associations with anybody but themselves
their connection with an insane asylum as forming
part OF its inmates is inoongruity; they are kin
of barnacle upon the asylum, compelling the associa
ton OF prison and prisoners with surroundings de
ngned to be as far possible removed from tina
idea of criminals and cOnyicts in institution de
voted to the and treatment of the innocent IN
sane from civil life. They increase the ratio of in
curables' chronic insane aud injure the repuia
tOn of the institution for the of its inmate,
They occupy space which is greatly needed for thos