Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-13
CENTRAL ASYLUM.
THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD
or DIRECTORS.
Twentieth Report OF the superintendent
Important Recommends ions-Loos
Manner OF Examinations, &C.
,corro.pOndeucc Of the Richmond DIspa,h.l

II nAsoDNbt, fAss A'Of' 49, $500
The annual meeting OF the Board OF
Directors of the Central Lunatic Asylum
was held at that institution to-day with
q full attendance OF members. His Ex-
cellency Governor Mckinney had ex-
pressed his hope TO be present to exam
inc into the condition of the asylum and
TO attend the meeting OF the board, but
he was unable TO come, and much dis
appointment was felt in consequence.
The following members Of tho board
were present: Robert Gillian, presi-
dent. Petersburg; julius S;raus, Rich
mond G. Y. Nuckolls, Louisa county
Dr. j. Z. Mason, Loudoun county; NJ.
Oldham, Accomac county r. y. Cooke,
Norfolk J. Il. Bogsrt, southampton;
I. b. Jef'ress. Halifax county j.
Thompson Brown, Nelson county.
The first business OF the meeting was
the election OF clerk TO fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of II. Is.
Palmer, who has located in the City OF
Mexico. There were seven candidates
for the position. but MIR. j, +. Graves,
OF Henrico county, was elected on the
first ballot by a vote OF . to 8.
THE SUPERINTENDENT REPORT.
DIR. Randolph Barksdale supennten-
dent and physician, submitted the TWEEN
tieth annual report OF the institution,
being for the year ending September
Goth.
MOVEMENTS or POPULATION.
The report shows that at the begin
ming OF the year there we're 552 patients
in the asylum, 272 males and 80 females.
There were admitted during the year l56
patients. Discharged as recovered, Il I;
discharged as improved, D died, AZ re-
naming at the end Of the year, 579 !;
daily average during the year, 6OL2.
Tho admissions last year were 10 in ex-
cess of this, due to the fact that the in
yttution is gradually filing up with in
durable patients. The total number OF
patients present during this year exceed
TINT of last year by 20, being 7OS tins
year as against go last. Total dis
charged last year so. as against - tins
year. 1hedeath-rate was less this year.
The health Of the institution has been
remarkably good this year, y of the AZ
deaths having been caused by diseases
OF long standing, most OF them directly
attributable TO brain trouble.
ADJUSTMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTS.
The usual amusements and diversions
have been provided during the year
picture-books, cards, marbles, &c. The
religious exercises were unsatisfactory.
A larger number of patients have been
employed this year than ever before--ln
the wards, on the farm, in the laundry,
in the kitchen, tho bake-house, at the
stable, dc.
FARM AND GARDEN.
The prosecution Of the farm and gar
den work was very satisfactory. About
the same amount OF garden products wac
furnished rs last year at less cost for pro-
duction. This department shows a very
satisfactory condition of affairs. The
cash value of productions during the
year and money raised from the sale o
cows, calves, hogs, &C., amounted tC
81, 1867, the cost of production being
8, 5j9.79, making gam OF 81, 9le.6o'
REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
The necessary repairs and paramount
improvements during the year, including
painting OF the east and west ends o
the main building and the entire chang
Of the system Of heating tbs building cos
about 1896. The institution Is nov
in excellent order and thoroughly com
Portable.
FINANCES.
The status of the institution financially
ia entirely satisfactory After dcductinf
the cost of permanent improvement
and other items Of expense not belong
ing to the actual support Of the patients
and which will not occur again, the whole
cost of supporting tie nsylum iol
twelve months was $50, 5000. The
average number Of patients reported wa
Goa, and the average cost OF each patient
was 1855 per year-sJG 3i per month
or 81 l. cents per day.
The receipts from all sources for tho
year were 5SS, 272. Scheduling balanc,
carried forward from last years ne
count-from money received from the
Auditor Of the State, and from money
paid in from sales made by our farmer
and rent paid by granite-quarry The
expenses amounted 10 S1i,JOJ.3O, leav'
ing cash balance on hand and in banl
of s13. 1878 IL is fortunate that We
have this large credit. The new build
ing has to be furnished out OF it. and the
support OF l06 additional patients, until
tho Legislature meets in December,
1891. has 10 be provided for out OF this
surplus fund. BY April, 1891, If the
addition is completed by January ],
1891, there will be 725 patients in the
wards. Every economy will be prac-
ticed consistent with the proper treat
ment Of those under our care but as
there was no appropriation for furnish
ing the new building nor for the sup
port of the additional l06 patients, W.
can scarcely expect that at the end o
next year the balance will be on the
right side Every effort will be made Il
keep it right.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The Superintendent refers 10 bis re
commentators made last year for en- OPP
preparation Of $50, 600 for the erection
OF proper buildings for the care and &C
commodation Of the colored insane Of
the State. The Legislature, however,
only gave $40, 600, or one third Of this
amount, aud with this AMOUNT the board
directed the erection of building to ac.
commodate l06 patients This building
is now in course OF erection. II may b.
completed by the LIST OF January, and by
that time there will be enough and more
than enough patients to fill it applying
for admission. There are now eighty
patients in the Pinel Hospital in Rich
mond who should be he4e, and there are