The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-16
THE INCREASE OF THE INSANE.

The number Of the state insane in the
Western Washington hospital IL reported
as increasing. The same increase of in
sanity is reported from the whole United
States. The last census and the annual
reports OF various state asylums and
boards make IL clear that the number of
the insane, chiefly of the chronic or incur
able class, has much more than doubled
within twenty years, though our whole
population has hardly gained 60 per cent.
in that period. that is. from more than
10 600 600 in 1873 to about s., 600, 900 in 1893.
For example. by the census OF 1870 Massa-
chusetts had 1873 people, and about
1,575. 600 must have been the count in 1874:
1t is now not far from 2,500, 900. gain in
twenty years of only some 60 per cent.
But in 1873 the insane who came to the
notice Of the Massachusetts state authori-
ties October ~ were only 1857. while at
the same date in 1893 they were at least
$500. gain Of LIS per cent, or almost
three times the general increase.
In Rhode Island, where in 1873 only
about $50 persons were IN the chronic in.
times as many; though the state popula-
ton In the twenty years had gained only
from as 600 to $40 o0o--e0 per cent. In
Iowa the count of the Ia sane went up from
go in 1873 to 1885 this year: the popula-
ton in that period having gained from
i,3eo.ooo TO 2.coo. ooo--or 30 per cent. but
the insane having more than ,reblei. In
Kansas the population rose from AS. 900
in 1873 TO L. 500 600 in the present year; but
the insane reported twenty years ago were
hu, 900. where now they are almost 500.
In New York the gain of population was
from l. 500. 600 in 1873. to about 6 500. goo th;,
year-less than 10 per cent: but the insane
have risen from 1000. twenty years ago, 10
more than 1900 this year. gaining nearly
io0 per cent or four times the general rate.
Ohio. with an increase of inhabitants from
2,sQ0.ooo in 1873 to $500. COO now, appar-
entity shows an increase OF her insane from
3ls9 tn s,5oe-i7o per cent, as against s.;
per cent. gain in the total. Illinois gives
the greatest proportionate surplus Of in
sanity: for while her population gained
from 2.Teo,ooo tweaty years ago. TO 4.osO.
ooe-So per eent.--her registered insane.
according 70 the conference report. went
up from eis 20 T. ssT, or gain of Coo rcr
cent.
Since isss the insane Of New York state
have increased from 1850 10 more than
1900. or At the rate of more than GO
year. The causes Of this multiplication of
the insane are not restricted to one state
or country; for the ike increase is ex.
hib!ssd in all civilized countries. Thu
aggregation OF people in cities, With the
anssnIssry and vicious habits there pr~-
wasling. Is one great cause, and OF course
the failure 10 restore the patients 10 virtual
sanity Is skill greater cause. The old
statement thu, inismpersnce and poverty
are the chief causes Of insanity will not
endure Investigation. Insanity frequently
comes upon men. and especially women.
Of decent lives a. some Of the crises Of
physical existence between is and 81
Insanity not seldom follows disease in
PERSONS OF reputable life and conduct. and
insanity 10 oftsnes the cause than IL /, the
consequences of poverty.
IL vas only q week ago tina; the prinei-
pal ef the academy 81 Media, Ia. $40, al.
nesly married bride: shs insane n.n had
fer ihree weeks been confined to his home
VIA the grip. which is sometimes fol-
lowed by attacks 81 insanity. OF course
among Ch!nsss. Indians o. ssmi-csviiissd