Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-10-24
Western State Hospital.

On Friday last the Board of Visitors
OF the Western State Hospital met and
transacted the business devolying on
them. They visited the various wards.
the different improvements and espec-
laily tne reservoir now in the course
OF construction. DR.. BENZ. Blackboard
the superintendent submitted his re-
port which is probably the most ex.
haustive and thorough one ever sub
mltted by him, and was much com.
pl1mented. From it we gather the
following facts of public interest
There are now in the hosnitaI O47
patients. There were admitted during
the year IA male and 112 female ma
tients. This is the largest number the
nospltai mas ever admitted during any
one year. There was discharged 6
males and IS females. 81 males and "a
females died during the year. Number
|readmitted, % males and 21 fanaIes
Inc whole number of patients adm it.
ted from the opening OF the hosnitaI in
1873, to September 80, 1902, was $40
Vi Ibis number 1852 have died, and
5,64l were discharged, as restored to
sanity. OF the deaths above there
were IL between the ages of 70 and 80
years; between As and SO years; and
o between 10 and 20 years. The amount
per capita to maintain each patient is
SilS,l6 per year, and if the trausporta-
t1on pe ADDED this per capita cost is
raised to $121.2S per year.
superintendent BlackfOrd is making
every effort in his power to keep the
jails empty as rapidly as possible. and
there is at this time, but two or three
recent applicants who are in jail. The
superintendent in bis report calls the
attention of the Legislature to make
some provisions for the increased &C.
commOdation of the insane. He saws
that we have reached that stage In
Virginia, in regard to applications of
insane persons for admission into the
hospital, where compromise must
either be made between the tax payer
and the lunatic, or we must increase
our accommodation for the insane.
We are undergoing in Virginin the
same experience that our sister States
have gone through; they have been
compelled to build additional hospitals
to supply the demand for more room
for the insane.
During the last year the general
health of the patients has been remark
ably good.
That an insane population of over
l,0OO should enjoy immunity from
enedimic and epidemic diseases, and
be measurably free from such casual
Ties as are of common occurrence
among like number of persons taken
at random, is matter for rejoicing.
In crazed world like this where SO
many are bent on suicide, where others
are the victims of homicidal impulse,
and where so many feeble, tOtterlng
dement's are liable to trip, it speaks
well for the vigilance of the attendants
when disaster is reduced to an apparent
minimum.
DIR. BlackfOrd In recommending es-
tablishing suitable buildings for indi
vldual pursuits, ETC., says: 1t is one
OF the indisputable advantages of
hospital care of the insane on large
scale, that the vast resources of a pub
lie institution may be made available |
as means of treatment. The active. |
bustllng life of large community,
with its own shops and all the appur
tenances of colonial independence, |
furnishes blessed instrument of /
help and healing, and antidotes the
mental mischief of mOnotony and idle
ness. 1t is becoming an old story with
US, but every year brings a variation
If the moral, because every year per-
nits the further application of the
doctrine that occupation intelligently
directed, is the sheet anchor of treat
pent. The great bulk of the insane
n any public hospital are not sick in
he sense that they are physically in
'apa citated for labor. The majority
ire chronic cases. men and women in
lverage health, whose happiness and
Welfare may be best provided for by
making them useful and conscious of
heir usefulness.
In concluni0n he says: We will soon :
axe leave of system of management {
hat has successfully existed at this !
!ospital for fully fifty years or more.
Confident of your support and assis '
ance during the period of transition
hat will soon take place, one may L
atiently await the issue, while the
eW system is undergoing trial by the
ouchstone of experience. Knowing
/ the comforting words of st. Paul to
ne Romans-'that tribulation work U
ID patience, and patience, experienced;
nd experience, hope; and hoke MAX
b not ashamed"