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

which was prepared by Dr. J.. G.. Butler
OF Essex, the supervisors speak in terms
of unqualified commentator of the asy-
lum. The sanitary condition of the in
sttutiOn, its heating and ventilation and
the culinary arrangements they think
could hardly be improved. They are
especially impressed with the outdoor
lie OF the patients rs seen at the Sum
mer Retreat" at Camp Comfort =" and in
the daily exercise on the home prounda
ana IN the park. The patients appreciate
the change, enjoy the open air and "the
requirement of good behavior which il n
requisite to future liberties, is sufficient to
insure obedience to wholesome regula-
lions" 1t is noteworthy fact that in.
mates who are often active in their delu-
sions in the asylum wards are able to con.
troll their Authorizations while in the en-
joyment of these outdoor advantages.
and return to their wards invigorated and
improved.
The board refer to these matters thus
particularly because to this ASYLUM be-
longs the credit of having inailrurated
uhlS SPECIFIC system of outdoor exercise
ana recreation for the inmates Other
asylums have followed the lead thus given
TO some extent But none OF them have
lHe lacilltleS Tor It's al most unlimited eX-
tension which are found in the broad and
diversified acres in one body which are at
tached to this asylum.
The provisions for indoo. exercise and
recreation in the TALL and winter are no
less complete. "The verandas. the court
yards, the gymnasium, the billiard room,
the dancing parties. the dramatic eXer-
cIseS ana lectures in the chapel, afford a
pleasing variety of exercise and entertain
neht, which the inmates seem to enjoy
and appreciate" The treatment of the
patients is in every respect humane and in
accordance with the most modern scien-
tliic methods.
During the past biennial term the SUI
perrisors have looked after the welfare
and proper treatment of those patients
who have been discharged as "incurable"
ana not dangerous" to make room in the
asylum for others, and they have made an
effort, with only partial success, to find
out now many insane there are in the State
outside of the asylum. Enough has been
learned, however, to show that the mum
Der Is large. Some are confined in rooms by
themselves under more restraint than il
found necessary in the asylum some are
inofiensive and kept in poorhouscs one
or two individual cases were learned of
where the unfortunate victims are kept in
a revolving condition as to their surround
ings, but for the most part they are well
provided for
most important part of the super
visors' report is that in which they
treat OF the criminal and CON
wet insane" who have been sent to the
asylum from the State prison of those
who committed some crime after they
became insane which led to their com nit
tai to the asylum. The supervisors have
evidently made a careful study Of this
subject, and they express the conclusion
that this class of inmates should be re-
moved from the asylum proper and cared
for by the State in connection with one of
the prisons. These inmates are in sense
outcasts from the world most of them
are dangerous" in their tendencies and
their liberation under any circumstances
would not be tolerated. They are all lin
curables,' and the most that can he done
for them is to provide for their secure so-
lation under kind and humane treatment.
They are class separated entirely from
all associations with anybody but them
selves; their connection with an insane
asylum as forming a part of its inmates is
an lncongruity; they are Il kind of par.
nacle upon the asylum, compelling the
association Of prison and prisoners with
surroundings designed to be as far as pos
slble removed from that idea of Grimm
ais aud convlcts in an institution devoted
to the care and Treatment of the innocent
insane from civil life They increase the
ratio of "incurables" or chronic insane
and injure the reputation of the institu-
ton for the cure of Its inmates They oc-
cup space which is greatly needed for those
who have more promising prospect in
the future for restoration. All that pos
slbly can be accomplished in their care
and treatment can be just us we'll done
away from the asylum and with little if
any increase OF expense TO the State. 1t
costs the State now nearly $4,000 per an
mum to support her criminal and convict
nEane. 1t would cost no more to main,
tain them, and probably less, at either of
the penal institutions from which they
are sent"
The supervisors accordingly recommend
the erection of building on the house Of
correction grounds in Rutland, for the
criminal insane and the convict insane, of
which there are at present nine of the
former and eleven of the latter. 1t is
stated that under the law as it now stands
the asylum is not obliged to receive them,
but has waived its right and made the
best provision it could. The number
seems small for creating demand for a
new building and the question must arise
whether if a new building be provided it
would not be best to place it at Brattle-
boro, where the same skillGul treatment
and supervision that is provided for the
others can be secured for this class of
patients.
The Supervisors give a table showing
that the large majority of the insane come
from the rural towns of the State,
and not from the centres of business.
OF course of the transient insane, -
that is of crazy persons, not residents,
picked up in the streets and sent to the
asylum-the larger number come from
the larger towns, Rutland sending the
most, Burlington next, ST. Johnsbury
next and St Adams next.
On the whole, we are glad to chronicle