Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-08-26
STATISTICAL.


| are however 628 names upon its rolls the APP
parent discrepancy being explained by the fact
that ID OF the patients are well enough to be at
nome on THROUGH, but whose entire recovery
is not certain enough to Justify their final dis
charge from the Jurisdiction of the iustitu ton,
Their relapse may at any time necessitate
their return, aud such reIapses do in fact cause
the number thur absent on furiough TO vary
continually.
For the last six years the average number on
the rolls has been 6l5. who have been main
tanned at an average annual cost of $3.50 7678
1t may be well to say here a few words to re-
move popular Misrepresentation rs to life in
an insane asylum. Many consider it a place
from which happiness. contentment, and con-
stnued usefulness are OF necessity completely
ban1shed. But In reality there Is among the
inmates Of this asylum largo amount o. per-
sonal liberty and freedom from undue rest
tented, home like feeling, Here again we re.
fer to the records. The number whose safety,
and that of others. requires them to be kept
under constant mechanical restraint Is only 7,
at this time. out of 800. And the total number
under restraint at any given time, most of
them temporarily. perhaps for only an hour or
two, Will not exceed an average OF Is in 800.
The records also show how much the feeling of
contentnent and the sense OF freedom must be
usefulness. Out OF $40 male patients now In
the asylum, 107. or more than one third, are
actively at work in the various departments of
the institution. Some are trusted to do their
work without supervision, O good many have
the full liberty of the grounds and of the work.
shops, and numbers OF them work together at
labor In the performance of which they are
| subj to nothing more than the supervis.
| ion and direction OF a single experienced at
tendant. IN the female side of the house, while
| there Is not 70 much liberty of the grounds al.
| lowed. because 1t is not SO much required for
the kind OF work to be done by women, yet
| there are at this time ZIG out of 3l9 who have
| all the liberty required for, and all the con-
tentment to be derived from. the performance
of many kinds Of useful work. In short the
| asylum. so far from being dreary prison
| house, Is for q large proportion of Its inmates
a busy workshop, in which attention to their
brood over their troubles. but must often sug-
gest the cheering reflection that life spent in
| such busy usefulness is by no means blank.
And for all alike. for the unemployed at all
times. and for the employed during their lels-
| ure hours, every sort of amusement and enter
tainment is provided, such as games. dances
theatricale, and music. especially that OF an
excellent brass band which has been organized
among the attendants and provided with in
| struments during the present year, and which
under the instruction of professional teacher
has made marked progress in skill and prof.
cheney.
On the payroll of the asylum there are
Superintendent. assistant physicians, Sec
rotary and accouEtant,1 matron, 20 female and
"a male attendants, supervisor. engineer,
steam hands, baker, carpenters, l farmer,
farm hands. hackman. l gardener. garden
hands. tailor, 2 seamstresses. l painter.
shoemaker, night watchmen, 2 housekeepers
l dairy maid. barber, messenger. organisI
IL iaundresses, soap maker.6 cooks, 7 walters
m embers OF the Executive Committee of the
Board OF Directors and chaplaips. total OIL
lZ9. The chaplains are not resident officers
but ministers IL charge OF the city churches
who hold services in rotation in the chapel
The payroll for the year ending September 80
1899 amounted for officers TO $40, SOL 49, and fol
employees TO SIG Dol As total Of s26, 1888
Tes esta1e agents Of iI sa 1y
showed the value of the real estate of the Rsy.
} lum at that date to be Sl55, 1880. and that o.
the personal property S42 .575 total Of 1897 $50
none of which Is insured. as no appropriation
Is made for the purpose.
We will add that one of the most obviou,
n hp fnc q nd
, ton for its resident officers. Although It's ca
pacity has been increased to 500 beds, there hal
; been no Improvement in or addition to the ole
standardization building which was erected
when It's capacity was not more than 200. Witt
the exception OF one physician for whom {
house Is provided, no officer is provided will
I anything more than single room, although
l four members of The official stat are married
\ men with families. The necessity that thei
should res,de IN or near the asylum become
more and mole urgent as Its increasing cap @
ity multipiies the calls for their services at al
g hours OF the day and Night We would there
tore call attention OF the Legislature to the ur
y gent importance Of erecting. at the earlies
G possible time. suitable buildings as residences
for the officers, upon the grounds of the asy
3 lum.
In conclusion, we would say that while tn
9 buildings and The material appliances OF thi
r institution are no. so expensive and well APP
g pointed as those OF some others. yet We CLAIM
! that it ia fully abreast of the best OF them /,
!, the treatment both m edeai and moral. of in
] sanity. The superintendent, DR.. Biackford
, keeps himself fully and intelligently acquaini
l Ell with the best thought of the times upon thi
S sutherland has brought his knowledge to bea
upon it by securing the best results in tn
Iinstitution coafded to bis care. And we tax
4 pleasure in saying that the duties OF all tn
, offices of the Institution have been fulfilled b.
, their incumbents III a most faithful, efficient
t ind satisfactory manner.
Ell Respectfully submitted
4 SAM'L F. COLEMAN,
: President, Board Directors.
81 g. Fl. Moffett,
! W. e. HI. Lynn; : Commute
p. II. Trout,