Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-18
EASTERN LUNATlC ASYLUM
-No ETIV CUI0NI TO NOVLUMs
Annual Report OF superintendent Mon
cure-Natter for Legislative Action,

correspondence OF the Rich mOnd Dispatch.1
WILLIAMSBURG. VA. October l7.-At the
recent meeting of the Eastern Lunatic
Asylum Board of Directors, held IN the
" Executive Building" of the institution.
the annual report of the superintendent,
DR.. james ID. Moncure, WAS submitted,
and after being carefully examined was
unanimously adopted all the suggestions
contained therein being heartily endorsed
by the directors. DR.. Moucure says:
There remained at the beginning Of the
year 22l males and lSl females-total. 4O2
admitted during the year. 10 males and ~
females-tOtal, %; whole number treated,
males 29l, females 203-total. 49f. There
were II discharged as cured. During the
year there was an average attendance Of
All. and during the fiscal year ending Sep
TENDER 80, 1891. sos applications were made
for admission of parties adjudged insane
10 three white asylums of the State. OF
this number l2l we're received at the West
ern Asylum, 1873 at the Southwestern, and
" at the Eastern, leaving l63 unproyided
for.
AN INCREASE.
At the close of the last fiscal year 200
insane were unable TO be accommodated
IN three asylums. The increase for tie
year was, therefore, 305. With similar
Increase III the number of insane the State
will have 10 make provisions for 1853 An
unusual large number were received in the
asylums this fiscal year. Owing 10 the adj
dltlon OF 100 beds TO the Western Asylum
and 70 to the Eastern, we NAV expect fur
Their addition of 100 beds TO The capacity of
the Western Asylum during the year
making the maximum number that can be
received in the asylums about 3l7, which
Will leave at the end OF the fiscal year
1922. ISL insane who shall apply IN vain
for admission TO the asylums. Seventy
five females applied for admission to this
asylum. OF this number we were fortu-
nate enough 10 take %, a fact due to the
unusual number of deaths on tho female
side. Is in number, instead Of G or as
usual, owing to the overcrowded condl-
ton which has existed III female wards for
over SIX years.
MORE ROOM FOB FEMALES.
This fact should appeal strongly to the
General Assembly TO give, as soon as pos
sible. increased accommodations to our fe-
male department. as the female insane tor
fiftv-two counties Of the State cannot be
taken TO the nearest asylum and are only
admitted TO the others after those natural
Nv contiguous to the Western and SOnth.
western asylums have been accOmmo-
dated. Our recoverios. compared torecent
admissions. ls about 80 per cent. the usual
average IN an insane population. The
mortality list israther larger this year than
last owing TO the increased number OF pa
tients treated this year and TO the large
number of old patients we have Ia the
asylum.
RESTORE THE DEPARTMENT.
During the fire of June, 1885, we lost
building capacity Of taking care OF III te-
male patients and would respectfully re-
quest the General Assembly, through you,
t. restore this department TO its former
usefulness. Ever since 1883 1t has been
very difficult 10 secure admission for fe-
males in the ffty-two counties contiguous
to this ASYLUM. We have been practically
unable to provide for these unfortunates
here. and the other two asylums could
only take the most promising cases after
admitting those who resided IN their re-
spectivo districts. The sum of $4,000
would erect Il suitable building here to ac-
copmodate the chronic Insane and make
room IN the asylum proper for 100 recent
or new patients.
Three fires have occurred at this asylum
in the last fifteen years. and each time the
entire building was destroyed. For nearly
eight years | have made every effort IN my
power to afford some protectl II TO the
natients aud the property from this most
dire calamity in an asylum. but have been
unable to accomplish anything for want OF
requisite funds. We have had the
promises carefully surveyed. and several
plans have been submitted b. tine Board
of Directors by able and careful engi-
reeIS.
THE COST.
The estimated cost OF a water-supply
system has been largely in excess OF the
means provided by preceding legislatures
for the purpose. No plan has been sug-
cested that will require less than tls,OOO,
and we have at our disposal for this pur-
pose less than $40 900. The most feasible
and cheapest plan Will cost about $4,000.
but will save the asylum an annual ek-
pense of $1,000 now required 70 pump the
water for ordinary purposes from reser,
yoir about mile distant and seyenty-odd
feet below this location. L would urge the
BOARD of Directors 10 impress upon the
Ieqislature the necessity of protecting the
valuable property Of the State-worth
more than $50, OOO-and their duty to
place ordinary safeguards to secure the
lives of more than five hundred OF our
citizens peculiarly under tho charge ana
care of the State.
The report, which is exhaustive, gives
the details Of the various departments or
the institution. and includes recon-
mendatlon to have some OF the patients
tauoht mechanical work with view 10
,.,ara tha asvluIns seif-sustalnlng.