New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-04
THE M1DDLEroWY INSANE ASYLUM
INTRODUCTION OF THE "coTTAGE" AND
"FosTER.PARENT" SYSTEMS.

rNrponrcr1oN OF THE COTTAGE" AND
"FosTER.PARENr" SYSTEMS.
The eighteenth annual report of the State Homoeo-
pathic Asylum for the Insane, At Middletown N y.
has been submitted to- the state Legislature There
were OF patients received within the year ended
September 80 and 213 discharged. leaving tho mum
Der in the asylum at the end Of the year 4JD. "
the 213 discharged, 100 were cured and 81 showed
Improvement IN their condition. The percentage OF
absolute recoveries was 1894, against 5133 IN tho
previous year, and il indeed considerably less
than in any year since 1885, when the percentage was
46 There was also marked increase in the num-
Der Of aihs and the percentage 10 the whole number
treated in the year $50, against 342 in the pro
eeding year, and 2.99 In 1886.
The prominent feature OF the report, however, Is
the contribution Of DR. seden II. Talcott. medical
superintendent who went to Europe in June to visit
the asylum known as the Colony Of Ghee In Belgium,
and 10 study the fosterparenp and cottage" sys-
TENS Of caring for the insane. The trustees express
the opinion that these methods may Be gradually
adopted, but that people living on farms or In small
villages near the asylum must be educated in the care
of the insane before quiet and protracted cases
may be consigned 10 them. Already several patients
have been permitted to go out on parole, and they
are now living with persons residing Tn Orange Suli-
van and a few other counties. They have been bene-
flied by abundant outdoor exercise and perhaps By
the absence OF restraint but they are not unwilling
10 visit the asylum occasionally Tor adNlce ana Ieat
ment The trustees favor the :" cottage system as
an addition to the present hospital system. and also
the gradual development Of the foster parent plan,
and in their request for the yearly appropriations
they include sl2 900 for two cottages for conyaescent
patients.
Dr. Talcott, in speaking Of the relations OF nutn-
ton the health and activity OF the mind. says Of
the general habits Of eating in this country:
Tho American feeds upon the collected products Of
c1f and rorn nd fdWqr NV
northern activity, he draws his food resources. rs
pecialy is the American addicted TO the use Of every
variety of stimulating meat, whether IL be bird or
bear, sheep, hog He also takes his food I'm a
concentrated form, using the active principle" prop
arations Of grain and vegetables and fruit The
result is AN activity Of the body and brilliancy Of
mind which Surpass the developed powers III all other
nations earth Concentrated food stimulates the
activities Of the nervous SYSTEM Of the brain and the
mind and under the effects OF 5uch food larger
amount Of brain work may be done in given time
than by the OF palmer and cOarFer foods.
But the OF concentrated and stimulating food,
while II develops lofty activity and excessive re
hnement, results finally In the premature wearing out
Of the nervous forces and dislntegraton dis
ease and death. Concentrated food stimulates and
develops the brain. while Il shIinks and shrvcls the
stomach, and dsturbs the action of the intestnes,
the liver, the Kidneys, and all excreOIy organs Slim
ulang and concentrated Diet while producing active
effects at first, tends steadily 20 arrangement Of the
organs of digestion and assimilation and leads almost
inevitably 10 malnutri0n, and 10 consequent loss OF
mind and nerve power. The philosophy Of all this
leads US 20 reconsider and accept the truth embodied
IN the old adagc Every man mrst cat his peck Of
dirt