Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-26
T IS THE WORLDS FINEST
 i9aI
 ft Alabama Bryce Asylum for the Insane.
OBSERVATIONS OF A VISIT
By DrS Whelan and Franklin, Appointed to Ex- anime the Institution by the State
 Board of Health.

Everybody who see it is struck with the eminent excellence of the Alabama Bryce Insane asylum.
 Mrs. French-Sheldon when she recent ly visited the institution, wrote the State Herald that it was superior to anything of the kind in the world. Dr. Charles Whelan of the committee appointed by the state board of health to inspect the asylum corroborates the testimonial of the distinguished lady.
 A State Herald reporter found the doc tor in his office in the opera house yes terday and questioned him regarding his visit along with Dr. Franklin of Union Springs, also of the committee of investi- gation.
 We arrived at Tuskaloosa," said the doctor, and proceeded at once to the hospital. After tea with Dr. Searcy and his delightful family we were invited to witness a dance by the inmates, some 300 or more participating. 1 never saw in any ball room better order or decorum than was observed there. It recalled to my mind the old-fashioned reel, the first four forward and swing corners long be- fore the modern fashionable waltzes were even dreamed of This pastime was indulged in for an hour and half, when promptly at the signal of the bell the patients were returned to the wards.
 Our next visit was about Il 30 o'clock, when all the patients were in their re- spective rooms. As a matter of curiosity we traversed each ward separately, the whites and blacks numbering more than 1900 dement's, to note the order of these several patients; and, wonderful to relate, up to the mid hours of the night, nota single unearthly scream or grating sound greeted our ears. The best regu- lated hotel in the United States is not so we'll disciplined.
 "The next morning at an early hour we commenced our inspection proper, visit ing every department connected with the institution. The hospital proper we found as cleanly and as free from foul odors as the best regulated household of this city. The kitchen was in perfect or der and the food abundant and whole some. The laundry was furnished with all the modern appliances; the gas Works equal to the demands for all purposes Of lighting and heating the various build ings.
 ''The next object of interest" continued the doctor, engaging our attention was the water supply-its character, it's pos abilities of infection and it's quantity in the event fire should occur in any of the buildings. All these questions were satisfactorily solved, practically and the oretically, to our minds without going into any of the details of processes or methods at this interview"
 What will you say of the general san itary condition of the hospital?" asked the reporter.
 Tt could not be better in any hospital in the United States" said the doctor, "whether we regard the question from the standpoint of ventilation, space, over crowding, water, sewerage of cleanliness of the buildings generally. Indeed, pr. Searcy has almost aseptic floors and walls In this connection I desire to ena- phaslze the fact that every effort is being used by Dr. Searcy to prevent injecting other patients by the tubercle bacillus isolation, proper vessels for receiving their sputa together with every other means known to modern science"
 What has been the effect of Dr. Scar cy's system the reporter asked, "so far as you observed?"
 q had no opportunity of observation personally, but I am informed by Dr. Searcy himself that great improvements have been made in the negro wards, es- pecialy where consumption used to be very prevalent. At present there are no cases of consumption in the hospital"
 Are there any other points of interest connected with the institution of which you have not spoken that you call to mind?"
 "Yes the pathological laboratory, un- der charge of Dr. Bondurant, and the farm situated about two miles from the hospital, supervised by Dr. Searcy in ad- dition to his other labors, and many other things which would make this interview too long. As to the first, the pathological department, I saw many interesting evi- dences of pathological research, differen- tiating lesions to the nervous system. It was one of the most attractive objects of interest to me, and the work shows a. master mind presiding over 1t. I need not further dilate on this subject as the public generally would not be interested.
 "The farm and the orchard combined, situated about two miles from the hos pital and worked by the insane. was also an astonishing revelation-peach, pear, apple and plum trees of every variety and perfection growing; cabbage, carrot, tur- nip and all farm products being grown there. Indeed, I witnessed the highest evidences of scientific agricultural work, even to methods of irrigation in localities where 1t is needed"
 q will be glad to have you speak at greater length in regard to your visit" the reporter said, "as the institution is an object of pride and interest to all Ala bamians."
 q would do so," said Dr. Whelan, "but for the fact that Dr. Franklin and will make an official report probably some time early in April, when fuller details will be given the public"
 How does the Alabama hospital com pare, in your opinion with other like in- stitutions in the United States?"
 'I have seen some of the best in the United SStates-notably Kirk-Bride, at Philadelphia-and I am fully convinced that, everything taken into consideration, our hospital is more scientifically and cheaply per capita managed. and with better results, than any other in the, United States. The trustees made wise and fortunate choice in the selection of Dr Searcy for superintendent, and 1t is to be hoped that the hand of the politi- clan will be forever kept from meddling with that institution"
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