The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-28

September, 1901 and 1902. is at hand For years this institution has been the pride of the State, and under the management of the great and benevolent Bryce Its reputation became world wide. Dr. Peter Bryce seemed to be gifted with power from. an unseen hand to care for and administer to the comfort and well be- ing of the unfortunate insane and in his hands the imbecile who was not en- tirely restored had his lot made as bear able as possible to be made under the circumstances and there are thousands in Alabama who love to do honor to his name and love and revere his memory. He passed away, and 1t seems the State was so fortunate as to nave that same magic power transmitted to another. Dr. J. T. Searcy has managed and carried on the institutions under his charge with the same success that had attended 1t in the past.
 Trustees Report.
 There are two hospitals now-the Bryce Hospital at Tuscaloosa and the Mt Yer non Hospital at Mt. Vernon. in Mobile County. which the Legislature devoted to use as hospital for the insane This action is said by the trustees to have greatly relieved the crowded condition of the Bryce Hospital. there being placed at the Mt. Vernon Hospital 400 negro patients and both hosiptals are now in very favorable and satisfactory condi- ton. There are HOO white and sixty five negro patients at the Bryce Hospital. In closing their report the Trustees, composed of some of the leading and most distinguished men in the State, viz: J. B. Gaston. R. T. Simpson. J. M. Eos ter, W. G. Somerville. J. L. Williamson. E. M. Robinson. E. D. Bondurant have these pleasing words:
 Since our last report we have held two meetings at Mt. Vernon and two at Tuscaloosa, and we have examined into the management of both institutions with great care and much satisfaction. The Mt. Vernon Hospital Is now fully equip ped for the care of the insane. The new buildings, improvements and equipments were made with dispatch, good judgment and economy. We do not think 4OO pa- tients were ever provided for as efficiently with as little cost.
 ''The Hospital at Tuscaloosa Is now re- lieved of Its congested condition. 1t is conducted with its usual efficiency and success. We feel that the State may still be congratulated upon the manner in which its insane are cared for. It is a source of great satisfaction to us, also, that we have at the head of the institu- tions a Superintendent who devotes all his great abilities to a conscientious and unusually successful management of its many and important affairs, which from the multitude of their details, require executive ability of a high order and great industry. He is assisted by a corps of efficient and conscientious otricers. to whom also we desire to acknowledge our indebtedness for the successful conduct of the hospitals"
 Superintendent Report.
 From the report of pr. J. T. Searcy, the Superintendent. it is gathered that the first appropriation for the esta ablish- ment of a Hospital for the Insane was made by the Legislature and In 1860 the Trustees formally took charge and elect ed Dr. Peter Bryce, Superintendent. The first patients were received in July, 1861. The war seriously interfered with the institution, but 1t is said to have sur vived the perils of those days better than any other State institution, owing, no doubt, to it's adroit and successful man. agement.
 The two hospitals are now but safely full An increasing number of patients is. however, to be yearly expected. and the State shall have to look constantly ahead for accommodations for more.
 This State Is by no means alone in hav- ing to meet this necessity. The need of more room for patients Is the constant burden of all hospital reports. About the largest and most pressing charity of every State is to provide sufficiently for its increasing insane.
 Alabama provides for it's insane in about the same proportion as the neigh bor.n.- States. The numbers of insane under State care seem to be greater &C., cording to the ages of the States. Gen erally, where there Is longest established civilization in the world there Is said to be more insanity. and 1t increases at a somewhat faster rate than population.
 The Negro Insane.
 This part of the United States is much interested in the increasing insanity among the negroes When they were first imported from Africa, as a rule. they were young and healthy adults, selected specimens of their tribes. During the two or three hundred years of their servitude, they were subjected to an environment of European civilization, much more san itary and salutary than they had ever occupied before. The very discipline they were subjected to, more rapidly forced them to assume the language and habits of the whites, and to initiate in large part the civilization surrounding them. The selfish interests of their masters en- forced sanitary. regular and moral habits and the practice of higher meth ods of thought. as well as regular muscle exercise. more than and better than the negroes had ever practiced before. The naturally docile disposition of the ne- groes has, as far back as history goes. been the trait which has made them sought for as slaves they have proved the most suitable people anywhere in the world. for that purpose, and their doci1ity makes them amenable to discip- linary improvement. The Africans in America came out of their servitude an inherently improved people. mentally and physically. While they were slaves there was very little deterioration 1mong them. and. consequently, little insanity. Since then their rapidly increasing in- sanity Is a result and an indication that many among them are mentally degener- atinE. It is very evident, the care of the negro insane In the South will rapidly become more and more a public care and expense. In 1870 there were & negroes in our Hospital. In 1880 there were n, In 1890 there were 2A. in 1900 there were 45l.