Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-23
WESTERN STATE HOSPITAL.
,it,-,cycnth Annual Meeting of the
Board Of Directors-The Supt's Report.

~ilft- seventh Annual Meeting or inc
Board Of Directors-The >upt's Report.
...<rDN. VA. october 22.-(Speclal)
~. A,t---.enth annual meeting Of the
~ Directors Of the Western state
Dr. .-.I vas held here on Wednesday
uas O. fan attendance, as 1t was
.r tat his Was 10 b. meeting
-s.. interest; that questions touch
.- .. economy ana efficiency Of the
.'..r -yuary institutions would he
Then. too. the discussion of
suggestions of Ex-Governor Philip
r a...r .. tns. Legislature. that there
t. v..s,I out from the hospitals
-.. insane the unfortunate class
..-....l harmless insane and that
... should be- put together In an es-
.t.r.rt o. b. Instituted. All TINS
...... t. make this meeting Of the Board
DIRECTORS a highly Interesting "ccd-
The members " the board present
Ncs-rs. Frank y. Berkeley OF Stauh-
,- James r. Iieckham. of Alexandra;
Tr,,.way. Of Pittsylvania; {. &.
..s.- 81 ID Of Rapidan: T.. T.. Stick
N.u0 lstOck; : II. Hansbrough. OF
H.r...-t.r. +. 4. Krlse, OF LynchOurs'
E.rt.u Covner. az Augusta, and W.
p l. .Vun II stanton. The board tho
...-.v examined the buildings and
;..o -.s. and found that Superntend-
..f Ben amin Blackford, NJ. D., ana ms
.- assistants were giving admirable
.t...t.n 70 the tasks imposed upon
....rl further Improvements were or
-.-.l among other things the erectloh Oh
- t.a l4uuIr ~ and new carriage-house'
ANNUAL REPORT.
r- Ta.k,ord. the superintendent, read
annual report, luminous and volu-
,..e statement and discussion or the
....t..s touching the welfare OF the
-.t.. insane. AMI the management OF
.'- Western State Hospital. II Is quite
lengthy paper. but It's trea'ih'n, "
r.-t.r. -, largely concerning the welfare
o., people of Virginia and their MONIES
W-s .4.a as TO interest the public
t. report. in It's figures, speaks OF
g. ,l-t year. ending September 80 1871
... ..oe, the total number Of inmates
tt- hospital 20 be $50. OF when ""0
-r- males and a26 females.
.t- Omissions during the year WERE
N".s SOD. females s5-a total OF ly''
N.r discharges for the year were: Ike
..t.rs males 80. females, 81 As I'M
tt..I males. 3. females. 3. As not in
Same rtlrs .. females. =.
..-t, We're - deaths during the year. OF
"r =, were males. and 70 females.
several cases Of suicide are reported.
I'- Percentage Of recoyeries 10 admis-
a.- ls shown 10 be 81 per cent" while
N- itioeutage II deaths 10 daily average
a'f.'1aucc - : TO per cent
~a.f l- hospital was established IN
-' There have been 1858 inmates. OF
number l.5so died here. and 4l4i
".f %. hargrd. leaving now In the hos
%. today 80
The superintendent, in referring 10 MS
.rt " ls.2 anent the question OF al
n'9g old persons into insane hospitals
ops there are those who are prone 10
O'.t-ise the management for allowing
a-t.I'n. 20 be crowded with Old persons,
d.t remarks that II IL true in some IN
stances that those affected with senile
1"aen,la are quiet ana tidy. and show
A,.e unpleasant characteristics, ana
ve,e are otttimes unnecessarily sent 10
a4ae hospitals, but that the majority
- cases ~ stnile dementia are placed
under hospital treatment because OF ten
9rl..es making home-tfeatment impossi-
D.. stfaltened conditions at home. oft
times no male relative 10 assist Ia home
care % the seniie dementia. exacting vast
labor. anxiety, and discomfort In their
care. their AFFECT helplessness, and FREE
q1eEt violent prejudice against their rela-
uves tend 10 further aggravate their in
h4ae symptoms. which. on the other hand.
are Quoted and soothed by restfui life.
regular habits. and constant medical at
"ntion Of the hospital.
These patients at home are = constant