The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-10
wrsrruS 1UsArrC ASYLUM.

l WEsIEKN LbNAlIO ASILtMs
Virginia has very good cause TO be pleased
with the conduct OF her admirable institutions
for the care of the insane Good manage
nent. economy and the welfare of the unfor-
tunates placed in their care are the constant
objects of the officials. and the consequence
is that nowhere in the Union are insane asy
lums better regulated. This seems to be par
ticularly true of the Western Lunatic Asylum
at stanton, of which THr TINES has just re-
ceiyed the report OF the directors. OF this in
stitution Dr. Benjamin Blackford is superin-
tendent. and the report of the directors.
Messrs. Samuel +. Coleman (presdent), 3. II.
! Mofett, W. II. II. Lynn and Z. II. Trout,
shows its affairs to be in very satisfactory
condition.
The taxpayers Of the State who support
| these institutions arc naturally more con-
cerned about the conduct Of their finances
than anything else, and therefore it will be
! interesting 10 note how the funds of this asy-
lum are managed. According to this report
the income Of the institution is derived from
| three sources: LIST, monthly drafts by the
president Of the board of directors on the
sum annually appropriated for its support by
the Legislature; I'd, the board Of pay
patients; and, 81. the sale Of sundries. by the
steward. All moneys received from these
several sources are required TO DO
deposited in the banks of Stanton, and
when thus deposited they cannot be
drawn out for any purpose except upon
checks signed by the members OF the board
l.. g oob month
the directors receive from the steward an es-
innate of the needed expenditures for the
month. and check thus drawn is given him
for the amount. No other portion OF the
asylum funds is subject TO his control, and
whenever any asylum property is sold the
amount received therefor is reported and
regularly entered on the books and deposited.
Every expenditure has to be accounted for
and substantated by vouchers, which are ex-
hibited at the end of each month TO an audit
ing committee, by whom they are verified.
The records of the asylum show how ju-
dicious and economical an expenditure OF the
public funds is secured by this system. The
cost per capita of the maintenance Of the in
mates during the fiscal year ending October lst
this was tho lowest per capita cost reported
by any Of the forty prominent American
asylums with which comparison was made,
and in these four it was but trfle lower.
TO appreciate the full significance OF this
statement" says the report, 1T must be re-
rnembered that the inmates have been fur
nished with q most comfortable home, con-
stantly kept in the best repair, with fare
abundant in quantity and excellent in quality
and manner of preparation, with clothing.
fuel, lights, washing, medical attention and
servants attendance. with the means of
amusement and entertainment and IN short
with all that was necessary for their physical
and mental well being all for the sum of
forty-two cents a day. And this has been
about the average cost for years past"
On the subject of additions to the asylum
facilities since 1877 il is stated that 1922 beds
have been added to the original number in the
buildings, which have the capacity and con-
veniences of the most expensive asylum, and
that these 1922 new patients will come in at
per capita cost of about $3.50 In this con-
nection il is announced that the last State re-
port Of the commission OF lunacy in New York
declares that the seven asylums of that State
cost in round numbers $4,000 600 for 5000
patients or 81. 800 per capita, and the New York
standard Of outlay is perhaps the most
economical outside of Virginia.
These are some Of the main features Of gen.
eral interest made public through the report.
Did space permit to be published in full it |
would afford interesting reading to the tax
payers of the State. The statements herein |
given, however, are sufficient TO show that the |
Western Lunatic Asylum is at present in the |
hands of efficient officials and directors, with /
whose management the State has ample rea-
son to be satisfied. In fact, the people have
no cause TO complain of the care and treat
ment of the unfortunates under confinement
in all our asylums, especially when the mod
crate appropriations for the support Of these
institutions are considered