The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-10-30
o3rd Annual Report Of the Western
J,unatic ASYLUM.

At meeting of the Board of Directors
held at the Asylum Wednesday OF last
week, DIR. Backford submitted his annu-
al report, giving a review OF the Asylum
for the past year. and making many val
liable suggestions.
RESIDENCES FOR SUPERINTENDENT AND
ASSISTANT PHYSICIANS.
Attention is called to the necessity OF
erecting. within the Asylum grounds,
suitable residences for the medical stall
of the Asylum Heretofore, the assist
ants have been single men, and have re-
sided in the building. Now the Super
intendent and two of the Assistant Ply
sicians reside in town with their families
some distance from the Asylum-and ev-
cry alternate night one medical officer Is
absent from duty. The increased size OF
the ASYLUM has rendered the duties OF
the Assistant Physicians too exacting
and responsible for them to reside SO far
away. The Doctor recommends an "Ad-
ministration building" such as is used
at nearly all the Asylums OF the country,
for the accommodation of the officers
and their families. He says LAS Su-
perintendent | am free to confess that 1t
is more consistent with my sense of duty
and the responsibilities of my position
to reside within the enclosure"
SUMMARY OF MOVEMENTS OF POPU-
LATION.
There was in the Asylum October LIST
1899, sol PATIENTS males--302 females.
During the year 1Ss9-9O there has been
admitted 125-G7 of whom were males
SO females. Twelve males and females
were re admitted. Total number OF pa
tients under treatment during the year
1896 males, $50 females. Number re-
moved during the year 1879 males, so
females. Number discharged $3.50 males.
40 females OF these 80 were discharged
as cured. Died during the year 80. The
maximum number in the Asylum, was
July /, 1890, 623 Minimum Nov. 80, 80,
593.
Total number of patients admitted
from 1897 to 1890, 4,24S, of which 1877
died, 2,427 were discharged, leaving in
the Asylum 604.
CAPACITY OF ASYLUM.
The total capacity of the Asylum is
592 beds From October /, 80 the ca
pacity has been increased 10 beds, MAX
ing it COZ beds. This increase has been
gained by the comfortable and handsome
improvements made under the supervis-
ion of Dr. Blackford, in reconstructing
the central building.
DEATHS
We find the following interesting data
among the deaths represented during the
year.
One aged 79-admitted Jan'y 18th, 49,
46, i'll the Asylum A years. One aged rs
admitted Nov 10th, 1S46-in the Asy-
lum4 years.
Considering the number of old and in
firm persons admitted, and now in the
Asylum, the death rate has been small.
About ga applications for admission
have been made to the three State Asy-
lums in the past year. Three hundred
and twenty-six were admitted, leaving
between two and three hundred "unpro-
vided for'' in the State.
A FEW SUGGESTIONS TO FRIENDS OF THE
PATIENTS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
hope l may be pardoned for alludirg
to the neglect and utter Indifference
manifested by some towards friends or
relatives who have been sent to this
Asylum for treatment.
There are many who seem to forget
that they have friends here, and the ex
i>tence of those friends who are here.
through the misfortune of disease, is as
thoroughly ignored or forgotten as
though they were in their graves. Such
neglect on the part of those who were
supposed to be near and dear to these
afflicted ones, is fraught with much harm
it renders them distrustful, and adds
to their Encouragement and discomfort
On the other hand, a larger number of
those who have friends here, take very
kind interest in their welfare, by visiting
them and regularly writing letters of en-
quiry in regard to their mental and ply
ical health. 1t is mistake to suppose
that insanity necessarily implies an in
tellectual blank. The will may lose its
hold and it's power to direct may be i'm
paired, but there may be elements of the
mind remaining, to render them fully
able to appreciate kind offices and af-
lection from friends and relations.
While this seeming neglect on the part
OF friends and relatives of insane pa
tients, illustrates a disagreeable and
painful phase of our poor human ma
ture, it furnishes an additional reason
why the State should, in it's henevolence
and wisdom, throw Its protecting arm
around those helpless and defenceless
ones
We look forward to the period, which
we hope is not far remote, when all cases
of insanity will be brought as promptly
under the observation and care of the
physicians as other diseases, and when
the medical profession will be as ready
and as fully qualified to treat insanity,
us other nervous AND cerebral disorders
Theen such cases as should be treated In
Asylums, will be promptly sent, and the
2it.o seiiu pi0i'i.!E SOuIpf VI CHRONIC III
sanity will be arrested In my last an
aual report, ! urged the prompt treat
ment of all cases of insanity in the ear
Hest stages in asylums, and feel that it
cannot be too strongly or too persistent
ly urged upon the public mind Herein
lies the secret of making the public
burdens for the care of the insane as
light as possible, the great expenditures
are for the lifelong cases, and not fos
those who are cured. 40 ~
Hfi +, s,s.s in its appointments
i e thorough gro, in is organization, Aay-
lum n like this may be, or howel COP
scientious its affairs may BIO administer
cd, SO great is the prejudice existing
from false education aud ignorance re.
specting everything pertaining to the
true welfare and treatment of the in
sane, that it is subject to constant criti
cism, suspicion and distrust. The pub