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FIFTHOF THE TRUSTEES OF THE
VERMONT ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
18 41.
FIFTH
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE TRUSTEES OF THEVERMON'l' ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
l'ltESENTED TO •rHE LEGISLATUlUl,
OCTOBER 25, 1841.
BRATTLEBORO: WM. E. RYTHER ... PRINTER,
••
(,
I,
OFFICERS OF THE ASYLUM.
BOARD OF VISITORS,HON. CHARLES K. WILLIAMS,
" STEPHEN ROYCE,
" JACOB COLLAMER, " ISAAC F. REDFIELD, " MILO L. BENNETT •
TRUSTEES, SAMUEL CLARK, ESQ. EP APHRO' SEYMOUR, ESQ. ASA KEYES, ESQ.
N. B. WILLISTON, ESQ.
SUPERINTENDENT AND PHYSICIAN, WILLIAM H. ROCKWELL, M. D.
ASSISTANT PHYSICIAN, })OCT. SAMUEL B. LOW.
lliA'l'RON,
..
'To the Hon. the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: The Trustees of the Vermont Asylum for the Insane respectfully present their fifth annual
REPORT:
The Institution has now been nearly five years in successful ope ration. Notwithstanding the continual enlargement of the buildings, the number of patients has generally exceeded the accommodations. In consequence of the appropriation made by the Legislature at their last session, the trustees have erected the left wing of the Asylum, which will enable them to receive all patients who may be presented for admission. The new wing will be finished in a few weeks. So numerous had been the applications for admission, it was found the wings of the new building should be of greater length than was orig inally contemplated. The wing erected the present season, is twenty seven feet longer than the other, which will also be lengthened as soon as the funds of the Asylum will admit, that the symmetrical pro portioni may be preserved, and greater accommodations furnished.
Since the opening of the establishment, three hundred and twenty three patients have been admitted. Two hundred and twenty-eight have been discharged, and ninety-five remain in the institution. Of those discharged, one hundred and thirty have been restored to reason and usefulness. Sufficient has already been accomplished, to amply compensate for all the expenses which have been incurred in erecting and supporting the institution. But when we contemplate the future
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beneficent results which will probably attend its operations, we feel greatly encouraged to persevere in this benevolent enterprise.
From a review of the past year, the trustees feel a high degree of satisfaction in being able to assure the Legislature of this State that there have been unceasing exertions, on the part of the resident officers
and assistants, to render the institution worthy of public confidence and patronage. Many of the patients have been restored to reason, and others have been greatly improved in their habits and condition. There has been no epidemic, and an unusual degree of health has pre vailed. No suicide or severe injury has happened to any person, (patient or otherwise,) connected with the Asylum, since it was first opened; and an unceasing and untiring care and vigilance has ever been manifested for the welfare of the inmates.
It is a source of gratification to the trustees that we have so healthy a location and salutary regulations. -From accurate statistical re ports, the proportion of deaths is smaller at this Asylum than -at any other similar institution in the United States. Since the opening of this Asylum there have been but fifteen deaths, or about four and a half per cent.
In consequence of the enlargement of the building by the erection of the new wing, and the desire to extend its benefits as much as pos sible to every class of the community, the trustees have made still greater reduction in the terms of admission. They wpre enabled to do this by the increased number of patients, which yield a greater income without a corresponding increase of expenses, as the number
of officers remains the same.
The farm continues to afford cheerful and healthy exercise to the patients, which in an eminent degree conduces to their restoration. It is also a considerable source of income, enabling the trustees to diminish the expenses of the patients. When the institution shall have sufficient funds to enlarge the farm, still greater reductions will be made in the terms of admission,
The present state of the financial concerns of the institution can not now be exhibited, on account of the present severe and protract ed illness of the Treasurer. It will be seen by the
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ent's report, that the income, arising from the proceeds of the farm and the board of the patients, is fully equal to the expenditures, which include the salaries of the officers, as well as the other current ex penses.
The mode of treatment which is practised at this Asylum, and which has been attended with such signal success, has ever command ed our entire approbation. The discipline of former times, which consisted in the exhibition of physical force, and awing the patients into submission, the object of which was the security of the patient and the public, has never been introduced into this institution. In its moral management, it is made the duty of every officer and assist ant to endeavor to secure the confidence and good-will of the patients. For this purpose, they are treated with the greatest kindness and for bearance. They are made to understand, as far as they are capable, that whatever restraints are necessary are not applied for the purpose of punishment, but for their own benefit. They are promoted in their classification as soon as they have the power of self-control, which operates as a powerful inducement to make proper efforts to retain their places. They are never subject to any personal restraint unless to prevent violence, or the destruction of property.
The sewing parties of the females have been continued as formerly, and with the best results. So highly do the patients consider the privilege of attending them, that many who are wild and boisterous in the halls, will control their feelings during an afternoon while at these assemblies. There are also frequent quilting and sewing parties it the halls. All the bedding for the new wing, as well as all the reg ular sewing for the Asylum, has been done by the patients under the direction of the matron and nurses. The consciousness of doing something for their fellow sufferers, affords them grateful reflections. For the means of furnishing cheerful employment for the patients, as well as for the cleanliness and neatness of the building, together with the performance of many other arduous duties, great credit is due to the matron for her prudent and successful management.
While reviewing the success of the institution, the trustees would gratefully notice the ability and zeal of the superintendent, to whose
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acute discernment, scientific skill, judicious management and perse vering efforts, are to be mainly attributed the prosperity and useful
ness of the Asylum.
Brattleboro, October 4th, 1841.
SAMUEL CLARK,
EP APHRO' SEYMOUR, ASA KEYES,
/
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ABSTRACT
OF THE GENERAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE ASYLUM, FOR THE YEAR ENDING SF.PT. 30, J 84].
Stores, provisions, &c. -Salaries and wages, Medical supplies, -Furniture and repairs, Contingencies, - $7,293 21 2,836 92 264 74 7(j(j 5-l. 387 �;.! $11,549 13
The income from board of patients, &c. $11,839 26
-·
WILLIAM H. ROCKWELL, Superintendent. Brattleboro, October 2, 1841.The patients have been from the following States :
From Vermont, 83 Maine, New-Hampshire, - 28 Massachusetts, - - I 0 New-York, - 39 Georgia, - l Louisiania, - 1 Territory of Iowa, I Island of Bermuda, l 165
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FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE PHYSICIAN AND SUPERINTENDENT OF THE VERMONT ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.
The number of patients remaining at the close of the year, There have been admitted during the year,
SI 84 "· �ta! enjoying the benefits of the Asylum,
There have been discharged during the year,
..,.
165 There remains October I, 1841, 95Qf the 70 cases discharged there are Recovered,
Not recovered,
Died,
Of the 35 recent cases discharged, there have 41 25 4 Recovered, 31. Not recovered, Dead, 3 l Of the 35 chronic cases discharged, there have
Recovered, IO Not recovered, Died, 22 3 70 35 35 Recovered of all the cases discharged the past year 58 4-7 per cent.
" " the old cases discharged the past year 28 4-7 per ct. " " the recent cases discharged the past year 88 4-7 per ct. " " the cases discharged 57 per cent.
" " the old cases discharged 28 3-4 per cent. " " the recent cases discharged 89 1-5 per cent.
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In reviewing th( events of the past year, we are grateful in the re� trospect of having had no epidemic or prevalent disease, no suicide or elopement,�and no accident to any patient, officer or attendant of the Institution. We have enjoyed a degree of health and comfort, and have been prosperrd with a measure of success, which demands our gratitude to that benificent Being to whom we are indebted for every good.
We have had no prevalent sickness, but we have not been exempt from that degree of mortality which necessarily attends all similar in stitutions. We have had but four deaths, three of whom were of our
. bl l d f •.
!11••-mcura e c ass, an one was seventy-seven years o age.
� rejoice that we have so healthy a location. The mountain air is very favorable for the health of our inmates. Our male patients have been employed in agricultural pursuits, and other employments in the open air, more than those of any other similar institution in this country. We also amuse them by walking, riding, playing ball, quoits, and other various out-door amusements. Our female patients are taken out for riding, walking, visiting the garden and culling its flowers, of which we have a great variety.
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e endeavor to have all of our female patients, who are sufficiently quiet, to ride every fair day. Those that are wild are frequently taken out to walk about the premises.It will be seen that a far greater proportion of recent cases recover than of those which are of longer standing. It is very desirable that the insane should be placed under proper curative treatment in the earlier stages of the disease. We all know bow much sooner other diseases yield to proper medication at their commencement, and it is much more necessary in cases of insanity. But in cases of longer ·duration, we have many recovel'ies. Of those whose disease is
not more than three years duration, many recover, and of those cases which are of many years standing, there is now and then a re,. covery; and what is of great importance, many are so much improv• ed as to become agreeable inmates of a family, and are capable of
supporting themselves.
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We have suffered for want of sufficient accommodations. Our pros• fleets are now fair that we shall be able to receive all who may apply for admission. We are also enabled to make a greater classification, which is of great importance in the treatment of the insane. We now have quiet and spacious accommodations for those who may be taken sick, where they can receive proper attention, free from all
annoyances, and where their immediate relations and friends oan, if they desire, administer to their comfort and relief.
A proper · classification of the patients of a lunatic asylum is of
great importance in their moral treatment. The continued efforts to
�'Wtrol and self�respect, which they make to retain their places, or to be promoted, contribute much to their improvement and � ation. The desire of the good opinion of others, is so univ� principle of our nature, that whatever calls it into proper exercise, has a favorable effect in counteracting those morbid propensities with which the insane are so often afflicted. All our attendants and assistants have it repeatedly impressed on their minds, as a fundamen tal principle of our treatment, that they are at all times to treat every patient with due respect, and that to neglect this rule, is to neglect
one of our principal means of recovery.
Of the various exercises in which our patients partake, none ap pear to produce such favorable results as those of some usefol em ployment, which varies with each patient according to his former ed ucation, habits and taste. Other exercises and amusements are great auxiliaries to their comfort and recovery. It is a great object with us that the mind of every patient shall be pleasantly employed on some other subjects than those of his delusions.
We have a library of between three and four hundred volumes, which are furnished for the patients according to their taste and state of their minds. A much less number of books is destroyed, than would at first be supposed, considering the condition of many of the readers. We take several periodicals, besides newspapers from the different parts of this and the adjoining States. I would not fail at this time to present our grateful acknowledgements to the editors and publishers of those newspapers which have been so generously
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given for the benefit of the inmates of this Asylum. Newspaper� are more eagerly sought and read than books, and are better adapt ed to many of our patients. Many will take a newspaper and read
here and there a paragraph, who will not open a systematic treatise,
Our patients are also furnished with stationery for writing. If they do not write on subjects connected with their delusions, their minds are diverted and favorable results will follow,
We have a carpenter's shop for those of our patients who have been accustomed to use its tools. We have had several resp'ectable and ingenious mechanics, who have rejoiced during their convalesc
ence, that they were able to assist us in our benevolent t"1-ijiie,
� assistance has been duly appreciated. The female patients, �es those who have engaged in fine needlework, have greatly as sisted in preparing the bedding for the new wing which has just been erected. Many of them have engaged in the work with a la1;1dable zeal, and, from the purest motives to relieve the sufferings of the afflicted. We trust their labors have been approved by Him w :fuo has said, "inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Our male patients amuse themselves by playing billiards, chess,
backgammon, draughts, cards, and other plea�ant games, Our
female patients play battledoor,. graces, chess, backgammon, and
those who have been taught, play on the piano, which serves to be guile their own time, and gratify the other patients. One of the
patients, who was duly qualified,. gave lessons on the piano to some·
of the convalescents.
Now the building is so nearly completed, we shall immediately com mence our endeavors to beautify and improve the grounds around it. Considerable shrubbery and many shade trees most be transplanted,
which will afford much pleasant employment for the patients. All
that we can interest in these works of improvement and ornament,. as well as those we employ in the garden and on the farm, are not only our most contented and happy class of patients, but are the first to recover.
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who by their humanity, intelligence, faithfulness and integrity, were qualified for their important trust. No similar institution in the world has better assistants tha11 those of this Asylum. We have made their employment a respectable as well as an important one, a11d many of them, we trust, endeavor, in some humble degree, to imitate the example of Him who, while on earth, went about do ing good, binding up the broken heart, and restoring the lunatic to 'the right use of his reason. We never employ any to whom we would not confide our <learest friends.
The effects of our religious exercises have been very beneficial.
....
are in a proper condition attend them, and to many they arnesource of the greatest comfort. We have had religi ercises from the commencement of our operations. In no in e, do we recollect uf their being injurious to any individual, and to many they have been of great benefit.
In conclusion, the Superintendent would make honorable mention of all who have been associated with him, for their faithful and cheerful co-operation, by which his duties have been performed with comparative ease and enjoyment. Cheered by the success which has already attended our labors, we are encouraged to persevere with renewed zeal in this work of benevolence and humanity.
WM. H. ROCKWELL.
't'ERMS 01•' ADMISSION.
For convenient accommodations iu the wing, two dollar, WII 1'8
J
per week.For indigent patients of this State, two dollars per week, or orte hundred dollars per year, if they remain so long in the Asylum.
Those who require extra acoommodations, and those laboring un der nervous diseases, will be received at reasonable prices, accord• ing to the accommodations required.
No patient will be received for a less term than three months. But if the patient should recover before the expiration of that term, the pay for the unexpired time will not be 1•equired. If the patient remain longer than three months, the subsequent paym�nt will be required only for the time the patient remains.
No charge is made for damages in any case.
Application for the admission of patients may be made, by letter or otherwise, to Dr. Wm. I-I. Rockwell, or either of the trustee&,
