The Sun. — 1841-10-18 (London, England)

MORNING SUN  TREATMENT OF THE INSANE. In cases where it appears desirable to call into activity the faculties of the mind, occupations and amusement have been found valuable means in fixing the attention, and in restoring a healthy state of action. When a patient in this condition cannot be induced to undertake some useful employment, it is' often possible to divert and keep alive the attention by kindness. The means employed for this purpose are various sports and games ; and those which call into play both attention of mind and activity of body appear most useful--such as the games of tennis-le-grace, battledore, &c.: chess, backgammon, bagatelle, cards, &c., are provided, and to many are sources of much plearare and amusement. The exhibition of a magic-lanthorn in the winter months was very successful in affording much general enjoyment, Although these means of keeping up attention are more necessary and more useful in particular cases, yet in all there is reason to believe they have a beneficial influence. Music and dancing, so far from causing over excitement or restlessness, seem to be followed by increased quiet and more natural repose. Most festival days are made occasions for a general assemblage of the inmates in their respective departments, who dance with much spirit to the music of one of the patients, who, dressed in gala c,stume, plays the violin with great perseverance, and is evidently a chief participator in the enjoyments. These things, though in themselves trifles, yet are at all times important agents in the treatment of ins,mity, and they become of still more importance and value in an institution where the patients are undergoing a change from a system of coercion to one of comparative freedom. Much of the excitement liable to arise in patients who have been subjected to restraint, there is reason to conclude, has been averted by these means. A liberal supply of books has been provided for the use of the patients ; the library consists of 296 volumes. They are read with apparent pleasure and interest, and a few of the patients have been encouraged to read aloud to the rest ; this evidently promotes a good feeling,—is an agreeable mode of occupying time and conduces to, the restoration of the faculties.  One daily and several weekly newspapers are regularly supplied, as well as Chambers's Journal, and the Penny and Saturday Magazines. Tne object of this institution being the restoration of the mental faculties, it would seem superflnus to att-mpt more than this ; nevertheless, in a few caws, endeavours have been made to communicate instruction in reading and writing, and happily not. without some degree of success. No cases cause more anxiety to the medical officers of a lunatic asylum than those in which there is a disposition to commit suicide. A large proportion of patients admitted have evinced this propensity ; and, although the attempts to effect their purpose have been both numerous and ingenious, yet we are happy to report that in no instance have they been successful, notwithstanding such patients are not subject to any species of mechanical restraint.—Report of Lancaster Lunatic Asylum, 1841.