The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-09
THE POOR AND INSANE.
HOW SHELBY CouNTY's RESPONSE
BILITIEs ARE INCREASING.
The Institution Exoellently Kept, on a
Plan to Effect Cures of Lunaoy wher-
ever Possible-Phases of Mental Dis
orders and How Soothed.

The completion OF the insane asylum for
West Tennessee will relieve the Shelby
county court Of one OF its most delicate and
responsible charges. While the care of
this class OF its wards is nowi ntrusted to
excellent hands, the number is increasing
so rapidly that in two years, before which
time the new institution cannot be COM
pleted, there will probably be 100 or more
patients ready for removal.
An APPEALreporter visited the poor and
insane asylum Friday afternoon, and was
shown through the entire institution by
DIR. w. III. Gragg, physician and superin-
tendent. This official has now been in
charge less than year, having succeeded
DIR. Duncan, who held the office for years.
The asylum is located on the New Raleigh
road, about four miles from the city, occu-
plying broad, beautiful site, with grounds
sufficient for raising garden truck TO sup
ply the table with fresh vegetables during
the entire season. This little industry is
now being pushed theoretically, and aided
by the favorable weather OF the past few
weeks, the paintings are already showing
up beautifully.
The promises are clean, well.kept and
attractive in every particular save the
human surroundings. For one not deeply
interested in studying the phases OF nature
presented, more uninviting place could
rot be found. A medical man and sick
nurse are probably the only class Of indi-
yiduals who could endure the situation
without becoming accustomed by long con-
tact and experience. The physically dis
eased and pauper elements are saddcning
and trying enough, but the most painful
responsibilities are the mentally wrecked
charges. OF these there are now seventy
six being cared for, and the number n
steadily increasing. During the last
month there were twelve admitted, and
the average will not fall short Of this figure.
| Altogether, the institution now contains
| 2l0 people, the remainder being paupers,
most OF them being colored and from the
female sex. The buildings are constructed
10 give the fullest ventilation, and paItic-
ular attention is given to cleanliness in the
interior departments. The ward system
prevails, and is rgidly maintained, the
sexes and races being kept entirely sepa-
rate except in outdoor exercises.
At the time Of THE APPEAL reporters
visit, all the inmates who could be trusted
outside their cells were enjoying the ut
most liberty that could be extended In
safety. The more harmless patients were
given the freedom OF the place, allowed 10
wander wherever their distorted fancy led
| them. Those who took advantage Of every
| opportunity 10 escape were turned loose in
broad Enclosures and permitted 10 indulge
in any idle pastime that might suggest
itself.
And IL is strange how widely different
are the effects OF lunacy, as disclosed 10y an
obscrvant tour among the patients confined
| in the Shelby county asylum. One of the
first inmates encountered was that famous
old Chinaman who ever aud anon breaks
from the environments and returns To the
city. Ills mania is for matches and rags,
aud utilizing the two for all they are worth
Otherwise, lac is perfectly harmless and
not altogether am idiot. A negro com
panion believes himself duo $50 600 600
and four mules from all who will converse
with him on the subject, and his persist
ence In trying 10 collect IL is rlthcr anus
ing, II removed from the cause that brings
il about. Another negro man believes
himself God, n crap shooter, murderer and
religious exhorter, and talks necessarily
and incohcrcntly. Others find pleasure in
lying stretched out on the ground, with
never n word 10 say, and resenting any
thing unmistakably addressed 10 them,
while one rather good looking white
woman walks almost continually, imagin-
ing herself promcnading the streets Of
Memphis, Only four arc 10 violent that
the superintendent keeps them Gagged, and
these arc all negro women.
Tobacco N the agency employed by DIR.
Gagg in keeping the lunatics soothed.
Whenever he begins his tour among them
nm ample supply Of the weed Is carried 10
give them all a large chew. No accustomed
have they become 10 lis use that lac Is met
by nearly every one Of them with an
humble request, followed by scowls and
threats In case OF refusal. by this means
they are also induced 10 work in the gar
den two or three hours day, and while at
Il surpass the poor but sane companions,
who, according 90 the superintendent, are
not at all fond Of work.