Curwen.] -"1^ [Jan. 16, 



devote his attention to that brancli. In October, 1840, he was elected by 

 the Managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital to the office of Physician-in- 

 Chief and Superintendent of the Department for the Insane, ■which had 

 been in progress of construction for several years and was then ready for 

 the reception of that class of patients. 



After examining the several institutions for the insane which had been 

 constructed during the last few years previous to that date, he entered on 

 the duties of the new position on the first day of January, 1841, and the 

 first patient was received on January 9, 1841, and in a short time all the 

 insane from the hospital in Pine street were transferred to the new Institu- 

 tion. He gave himself, mind and heart, to the duties of his position, and 

 his zeal and enthusiasm for the welfare of the insane never slackened so 

 long as life endured. 



Any one who will read the report of the first year of his administration 

 will see clearly laid down the principles which guided and governed in 

 all the years which followed ; and enlarged experience, a more thorough 

 knowledge and more ample means enabled him, with each succeeding 

 year, to add to the resources of the Hosjntal and the more thorough treat- 

 ment, medical, hygienic and moral, of those committed to its care. In the 

 earlier years of the Institution great attention was given to laying out, 

 adorning and the careful improvement of the grounds within the enclo- 

 sure, embracing forty-one acres, so that ample walks for exercise, pleasant 

 drives and cheerful views and surroundings, might direct from morbid 

 fancies to more healthful ideas. The attention given to these matters was 

 the relaxation from more exacting and imperative duties, and gave that 

 degree of out-door exercise which one, in the delicate physical condition 

 and feeble digestion which troubled him at that time, so much required, 

 to give tone and vigor to his whole system. 



In October, 1844, the Association of Medical Superintendents of Ameri- 

 can Institutions for the Insane held its first meeting in Philadelphia, and 

 Dr. Kirkbride was elected its first Secretary, and from that day to the 

 close of his life, he always manifested the warmest interest in its welfare 

 and progress, and took a very active part in all its proceedings, rarely 

 being absent from a meeting. 



The ablest deliverances of the Association on the construction and or- 

 ganization of Hospitals for the Insane and on kindred subjects were from 

 his pen, and were so carefully and thoughtfully prepared that after the 

 fullest discussion, by all the members, very little change was made in the 

 phraseology and none in the sentiments or opinions advanced. 



He was Secretary of the Association for seven years, Vice-President for 

 seven years, and President for eight years. 



His position at the head of the oldest Institution for the Insane in the 

 country, and at the centre of medical education, naturally drew to him 

 all those who were anxious to learn the latest and best plans and arrange- 

 ments for the construction and arrangement of hospitals for the insane. 

 He was constantly consulted in the arrangements of the State Lunatic 



