170 On Insanity. fAprii^ 



■was apparently not a seat for each, had they been all anxious to sit- 

 down at the same time. Both there and in the ' Separates ' a large 

 number were barefooted, and their clothing was untidy and ragged 

 in the last degree. I noticed a man in one of the halls nearly in a 

 state of nudity, his breast uncovered, his feet, legs, and fore-arms 

 bare, and the clothing he had on hanging in tatters about his body, 

 thighs, and upper arms. Xo remark was made about his condition, 

 and it did not seem to attract attention as in any way extraordinary. 

 As I have said, great excitement prevailed, more especially in the 

 wards for the acute and violent cases. Xever, in fact, have I visited 

 any institution for the insane where the noise and confusion were 

 so bewildering, nor where I experienced the same feeling of relief 

 on leaving." The river runs by the asylum, and is supposed to 

 check escapes, but suicides by drowning are "rather frequent." 

 Four in six months was considered a favourable average ! ! ! Scurvy 

 frequently occurs amongst the patients, and four years since a 

 large number died from typhus fever, and two years ago seventy 

 died from cholera. The arrangement for religious exercises is most 

 complete ; three clergymen of various persuasions, and lay assistants 

 being on the rota. The management of this outrage upon Chris- 

 tendom is by the Board of Commissioners of Public Charities and 

 Correction, consisting of four members, who have been denounced by 

 Dr. Beecher in his best strong language. 



Dr. Willard published a. rej^ort at the desire of Congress in 

 1865, and his opinion of the asylum was ' ; that it was large and 

 well conducted." . . . But, fortunately for his reputation, he had 

 described others in the most straightforward manner, and, compared 

 with them, the City Asylum was indeed superior. He notices that 

 in Broome County Poorhouse ''whipping is seldom resorted to" 

 (for the insane). Columbia County Poorhouse : the great ma- 

 jority (all lunatics) are noted as filthy. Twelve sleep on straw, 

 without bedsteads. The straw is changed once or twice a week. 

 Xone had stockings during the winter. Portland County : the 

 sexes are not kept entirely separated, and male attendants are 

 employed to care for the female insane. Delaware County : the re- 

 port, after describing the wretched cells, goes on to say, — "The 

 sufferings of these unfortunates, from whom air and the light 

 of heaven are shut out, would form (he might have wiitten do 

 form) a dark chapter of human misery, could it be written." 

 Niagara County : " The whip is sometimes, though rarely, used to 

 enforce discipline." St. Lawrence County : " Though no re- 

 straint^?) is used by handcuffs, whipping is resorted to, and the 

 violent are put in cages to subdue them." Saratoga County : " Cor- 

 poral punishment is administered to men, women, and children" 

 (the latter remark apparently refers to sane paupers as well as 

 lunatics). Tioga County : " They are seldom if ever visited by a 



