Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-12-31

home and from the surroundings in which |
their decisions arose and were sustained, are
intended to break In upon and change the
current of morbid mental operations. The |
very fact of an actual transfer to an asylum |
has powerful influence in impressing the in |
sane with reality of their insanity; and moth. |
ing is more important than the recognition of
his real condition by the patient.
AS to what should be done with the chronic
insane. his report. among other things. says
1.-The last session Of our Legislature wisely
made provision fer the increased accommoda-
ton of the Insane at this institution, SO iar as
the present financial condition OF the state
would Justify, by making an appropriation for
the erection of additional buildings. This. to
my mind, is the most feasible plan that could
be adopted; that Is, the enlargement OF the
present asylums of tie State rather than
building additional asylums.
The additional buildings for this purpose
should be plain. substantial, capacious struc-
| lures, possessing all the modern facilities Tor
heating, lighting, ventilation. etc. They should
be under the same administration. subject TO
| the same rules and regulations. and controlled
| by the same principles of hygiene. moral and
medical management. When necessary TO
make room in the asylum for recent cases,
| transfers could be made of the chronic patients
| to the buildings erected for that purpose. This
plan would bring all the insane of the State
| under the immediate observation, control and
| care of those In charge of the asylums, would
I give them the benefit of having trained and
| disciplined attendants, and would place them
ir the condition most conducive to their COM
fort. =.
| He maintains with force that the insane con-
sidered curabie and those supposed to be In
| durable should be provided for In the same In
| stitution. AS to having separate asylums for
| the incurable, he says:
81 wish to place myself. with my observation
and experience in the care of the insane. on
record as utterly opposed to any sucn scneme
| as unwise, impolitic and extravagant in the
present CONDITION Of the finances OF the State.
| 1T is the safest. most humane. and, In my
Judgment. the most economical plan TO FRO
vide for all this unfortunate class of our fellow
citizens in the manner that will give them the
greatest amount of comfort No possible good
could arise from such distinct asylums, except
they might be conducted at less expense; but
how SO. il they are to have proper oncers,
ply sicians, etc? Aud If they do not. why are
they better than poor houses? There are no
facts in favor of such establishments We hope
| never to see such institutions iu this country.
On the contrary, let no asylum be established
but for the durable, and to this the incuraole,
the rich, and the poor should be admitted.
AS we stated some time ago. the Superin>
tendent wisely recommends the Legislature to
change the name of the Asylum from that OF
the "Weatern Lunatic Asylum to that Of
"Western State Hospital, Staunton.V
He recommends an appropriation for erect
ing on the grounds of the Asylum suitable
| residences for the medical officers Of the Asy-
lum.
In his financial report the Superintendent
| asks for an appropriation of ninety thousand
dollars for the support of the present popula-
ton during the year lS9l-92. This will take
to dnN
for each patient.
| A pro rata appropriation Is also asked for to
support the 100 male patients who will occupy
the new buildings now in the course OF erec-
ton. The superintendent also gives state
ment of the per capita cost of maintenance OF
a number of Asylums throughout the United
States, and shows conclusively that the per
capita of sl51.77 of this Asylum is much less
than that of other similar institutions.
From the financial report of the Steward we
quote the following:-
lSS9-Oct. I.-Balance on hand, 5 9,4l53t
Annuity for lS39-'90, S6.OOO.OO
1s99-Sept. 30.-Rec'd for board OF pa =,
| tients to date, 5,4l0 n
Il Reed from sales and exchanges to date, .l92 "
slO4 .Ols. IS
lS9O-September 80.
Paid transportation at Asylum, 4lozt
Il Auditor. 6Sl Al
Paid attorneys fees, 10000
of stanton, 2,9lSS7
female wards. 655. 40
Paid on support account. W, S9S u
| Balance on hand Oct. l, 1890, 2,2oo.ld
;, slO4 OILS 65
SPECIAL APPROPRIATION FOR BUILDINGS.
IS9O-To appropriation for lSS9-'90, 100000
By expenditures for 1S89.'90, $3.50 IS
Balance on hand October l, 1899. 3,620.ls
: $4,000 OK
The report concludes as follows
81 will add that the reports made monthly
| to my office from the farm, the garden, an6
| shoe shops show that these subordinate de-
partments have been satisfactorily managed
L 1tnIaI tlna