CHAS. W, PILGRIM, M. D. 55 



cupatioii was found for 964 persons each day, either in 

 ward work, farm and garden work or mechanical pur- 

 suits. When it is stated that besides cultivating a farm 

 of more than a thousand acres and keeping the grounds 

 and several miles of road in good condition, there is a 

 large tailor shop and sewing-room where all the clothing 

 worn by patients is made; a shoe-shop where all the 

 boots and shoes are manufactured ; a brush and broom 

 shop where we make not only all the brushes and brooms 

 we use ourselves, but supply other institutions ; an up- 

 holstering shop where furniture is repaired, chairs caned, 

 mats and mattresses made ; an4 a laundry where forty 

 thousand pieces are washed each week, it will not seem 

 surprising that so many hands can be kept busy. For 

 those who are not strong enough to do such work there 

 is a school, in charge of an experienced teacher, where 

 the morning hours pass pleasantly. Physical training 

 is not forgotten even there, for a part of the instruction 

 includes calisthenic exercises. 



It is to be regretted that so little is known by the gen- 

 eral public in regard to actual asylum life. The majority 

 of persons, even the most intelligent and well-informed, 

 upon their first visit to an asylum expect to find many 

 of the patients in cells and padded rooms, and it is diffi- 

 cult to convince them that such things are relics of the 

 past. In my experience of sixteen years I have only 

 seen one padded room and that was in an asylum in 

 Europe. Frequently after visitors have been shown 

 through every ward they will ask to be permitted to see 

 the "bad patients," and when assured that they have 

 already seen them, although they may not say so, they 

 go away firmly convinced that a great deal has been 

 withheld and that they have only seen the quiet wards. 

 It is diflicult for those who are not familiar with the 

 facts to understand that it is possible for life in a hospi- 



