Year: 1879

| Stdtc> y w EtheSS tf dfuSs


The twelfth biennial report of the
Trustees, Superintendent and Treasu'
rer of the Tennessee Hospital for the
Insane, to be submitted to the Forty
first General Assembly, is the most
exhaustive and interesting review OF
the condition of this noblest charity OF
the State, and of the management for
the past twelve months, that has been
vet presented. 1t will be read with
interest by the general reader, as well
as by the officials # the State govern
ment, for whose information it is es>
pecially designed. The manner in
which the history of the foundation
and growth of the Asylum is recount
ed is as worthy the literary capacity
for which its author is distinguished
as the thoroughness of its review of
the past operations of the institution
is characteristic Of the tireless energy
of its present custodian. In the Ian
guage of the Trustees, It's "a master
ly and full exposition of the practical
operations, as well as the wants and
necessities of the hospital, and embo>
dies philosophic reflections as tc the
causes of the various phases of insani-
ty and in regard to kindred matters,
which will be valuable everywhere"
An examination of the Treasurer's
report shows that, by the erOnomy
practiced, the hospital has been main
tanned within the annual appropria-
tions from the State Treasury for
that purpose. The comparative ta,
bles as to cost in a number of other
institutions adduced by the Superin-
tendent in his remarks on the subject
also attest that the pecuniary burden
of our insane is not so great as in ma
ny COmmonwealths, and Gel tainly not
beyond what the community will con-
slider reasonable and proper. During
the year there has been no casualty
among the patients, nor any success
full attempt at suicide. The average
daily population of the Asylum dur
ing the year was $50, and the total
deaths were So. The whole number
admitted and discharged during the
term, with those now remaining, is
603, and of these 227 were discharged.
OF sexes the male predominant. In
the small number of colored patients
the same disproportion is observed.
More than one>third Of the present
population were admitted during the
present terra, and two-thirds are of
less than four years residence, show
ing the active movement of popnla>
ton. The aggregate population for a
period of less than 81 years was less
than 5000. The probable increase of
insanity from hereditary origin and
consangLlneous marriages urgently
suggests the propriety of increased en-
ergy to meet the requirements of the
future by adequate provision for the
care of unfortunates.


The suggestion with regard to occu>
patton and diversion will strike the
intelligent mind as eminently practi
cal and timely, and the PROPOSE ion
for increased hospital facilities is frank
ly and dutifully stated, with conserv-
ative recognition of the financial straits
in which the state is now embarrassed.
There are some excellent suggestions
as to the care of the colored insane,
which will demand the thoughtful
consideration Of the State representa-
tives. A commendable economic fea-
ture of the institution IS shown in the
interesting statistical tables of the
Matron and Steward. The report
throughout evidences laborous fidel
ity to details in the management, the
result Of which is an exhibit from
which there can be no lack of infor>
nation, and upon which the Legisla-
ture can intelligently base its action
to the best interests of the institution
and the tate.-NahUWe american.