The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-01
SOUTHW WESTERN ASYLUM.
THE PRESENT CONDITION or THE
JNsIITUTION II MARION.
DIR Robert j. Preston Gives n Detailed De
scription of the History of the Insti-
tuition Since its Beginning.

when the committees of the Legislature
visited the Southwestern Lunatic Asylum
at Marion. smyth county. recently, Dr.
Robert j. Preston. its superintendent
gave a detailed statement as 20 he con-
dition of affairs prevailing in THAI in
s,itution. According to the explanation OF
Or. Preston. an enlargement OF the
asvlum is sadly needed m order TO accom-
n,odate an the unfortunate patients from
that portion OF the STATE. In his statement
the superintendent of the Institution gave
the following information.
,rhe act of the Legislature establishing
the asylum which was approved on
November -. 1851. authorized the CON
struction Of a building 20 accommodate
not less than two hundred persons of
unsound mind. together with the necessary
officers, physicians. and attendants OF
the asylum. such building Was TO cost
not exceeding $1,000. exclusive Of furni-
ture. 10 was TO be- built. however, upon
plan susceptible Of additions thereto
as the necessities of the state might
thereafter require.
AZ that time the sum OF $4,000 was APP
propriated 10 inaueurate the movement.
ON February H.. 1856 the sum OF $i5'uW
was appropriated for the purpose OF com
pleting the building and putting in work
ing order the southwestern Lunatic Asy-
lum. OF that amount the sum OF sou"
was set aside for the completing of the
asylum building. while $4,000 were 10 be-
expended for the purpose of furnishing
the second building with proper arrange
ments for water supply, heating seWerase
lighting. ard other appUrtenances 10 the
building. which. i'm the judgment or me
building commission. might be considered
necessary and prope-. IN additional $4,000
was to be expended for the securing OF
furniture for the building.
It, Op ming.
on May II. 1851. the asylum vas opened, |
and nc that time 10 consisted of central |
building am executive building. and TWO |
wings for male and female patients, each |
wing containing three wards with thirty |
single rooms and large assembly room
each. sufficient TO accommodate ninety
patients in each wirg. The central build
Ing was taken up with a general Kitchen
and store-room in the basement. two good
dining-rO0ms for the male and lemaie
patients on the first floor. and large
or assembly hall on the second
floor while tho third floor furnished Two
large dormitories. which in lNss. after the
OF the laundry building. were
converted into female wards, mus III
creasing the capacity of the asylum TO
go
This asylum is heated by direct and IN
direct steam radiators which are supplled
bv three boilers of - horsepower each,
while two engines and two dynamos Iur-
nish the electric light.
The water supply is furnished through
spring Of pure free-stone water, 10y natur-
al flow all through the building. All
these plants were put i'm the building
with the view of supplying the asylum
comprising six wings or paviions When
For the maintenance and support OF the
institution the sum OF $4,000 per year has
been appropriated by the State from 1883
up TO the present time, although the
number Of patients has increased from
10 i'm 1855 10 2l5 This year. From TINS
fund supplemented boy small amounts
received from pay patients, etc.. the in-
sutudon has been kept up, notNithsiand-
ing the continued increase in the num-
Der Of patients.
Patients Not Provided For.
ON october 1, lsa3 there were in the
-arious counties of the State at least
ion. who were not provided for the
ma jority of whom We're 10 be found ODD .
he Southwest. There has been no time
Turing the past eight or ten years that
ne counties i'm this section Of the state
ave been free from insane persons VINO 4
we're kept IN jaii5 and almshouses. \ d
areful investigation would show to-day
hat all over the State more than 2" j
insane persons are taken care of OUT q
ide Of the asylums In many instances
pplcations have been made from month
d month. and even from year 10 year.
fithOut success. and the patients are
eing taken care OF by their friends IN
be- best way possible.
How many patients are being Kept ih "a
ais at any one time. is difficult To ascer- \
ain. Eight patients were taken from me b
ulaski county jail during the past week, q
nd there are as many now IN the JAMS
( the Southwest as at any previous u
me- Many Of these patients, who are "
ther violent or epieptic, cannot be adj )
lifted az Marion, for the want OF single il
,oms. and under existing circumstances a
icy cannot be admitted az other insti-
itiOns. j.
The board OF directors are asking for "a