The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1899-11-08
ASYLUM REPORT.
Made to Governor by Superin-
tendent Guthrie.
Will Have to be Enlarged to
Meet Demands.

the Second Asylum for the Insane
at Spencer was received yesterday
at the Governors Office. The re-
port of DIR. l.. v. Guthrie is partio-
ularly interesting, not only as show
ing the present condition of the
institution but because of the light
it throws on the makeup of the
unfortunate population. AS to the
condition of the institution, DIR.
Guthrie, the superintendent, says:
During the year there were 234
patients admitted to the hospital,
141 males and 90 females. The
whole number treated during the
year was 554, BOB males and SO fe-
males. The daily average for the
year was 349, 191 males and 167 fe-
males. The highest number I'M
der treatment at one time was 401,
the lowest number under treat
ment at one time 300. There were
discharged during the year as re-
covered 86, 46 males and 40 females;
on bond as improved, %, Id males
and Id females; as harmless and
incurable, 1 male and female; on
habeas corpus proceeding, not in
sane, male. Transferred to Home
for Incurables, 5, males and 2 fe-
males. Returned to county from
whence he came, l male. Eloped,
2 males. Returned from bond, 8,
2 males and Z females. Percentage
of recovery on total number treated
during the year was Is per cent;
on total number of admissions dur
ing year, 81 per cont. There died
during the year 40, 26 males and Id
females. Mortality rate on total
number treated during year was u
per cent. Remaining in hospital
September 30, 1899, $50, of whom
2O9 are males and $50 females.
"The percentage of deaths COM
pares favorably with previous years
and with other hospitals for the
insane. The same may be said of
our percentage of cases restored to
normal mental condition. During
the past year there has been no
suicide, serious accident, or cpl
demic of disease among the pa
TENTS"
DIR. Guthrie calls the attention
to the fact that the present rate of
increase in the population of the
asylum will necessitato tho build
ing of an addition to the institution,
Or that the Home for Incurables
will have to take such cases as
would properly belong to an insti-
tuition of that kind. or in some 9TH
er provision being made.
DIR. Guthrie reports the death of
two employees, Miss Carrie Greg
DRY, attendant, and James Murphy,
assistant engineer,
He reports surplus in several
funds at the end of the fsal year.
Referring to the disposal of the
celebrated DIR. Nissan case and his
release on habeas corpus proceed
ing, DIR. Guthrie states that Judge
Blizzard wrote him as follows in
regard to the case: "In passing
this case from mo / wish to COM
mont you and your institution for
the conservative course you have
taken in the matter, and thank you
personally for the kindness and
courtesy shown mo while at your
place"
DIR. Guthrie appends an inter
esting series of tabulated statistics
showing the movements in popu-
lation and tho form and nature of
the disorders received during the
year.
The number of patients under
Is years of age was 6, over so years
of age only L.
AS to civil condition, 90 were
single, 10 married, % widowed
and one unknown.
The patients were natives of
eight States and threo foreign
countries. West Virginia furnish
cd $50, Ohio &c, and Virginia II.
Germany furnished 2 and England
and Ireland each 1.
The county in the State which
furnished the largest number of
patients was Kanawha, with 30;
Cabell next with 81: and success
sively, Roane, with IS; Ohio, with
II; Wood, with ID: jackson and
Wayne with 13.
The occupation which furnishes
the largest number was that of far
mer, with So; followed closely by
that of "no occupation" So. Car
nnr'S Uifan furOiSl,od On