68 On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. 



Pennsylvania Hospital. This institution is the oldest of its 

 kind in the United States, and its medical department has been 

 illustrated by the labors of Morgan, Shippen, Wistar and Rush- 

 besides many other departed as well as living worthies in the sci- 

 ence. Lunatics appear to have been received since its opening in 

 1752. In 1796 however, a portion of the extensive building, now 

 occupied, was finished for the reception of the insane, and upwards 

 oi 70 rooms are appropriated to their use. It constitutes the west 

 wing. " There are fifty-six separate sleeping rooms, each about 

 ten feet square— four larger apartments usually occupied by a 

 patient with an attendant, the long garret in which about twelve 

 of the most quiet male patients usually sleep, and a small garret 

 with beds for four females. On the first story of the wing are two 

 dining rooms, the matron's apartment and a sitting room for the 

 female patients. In the rear of this wing is also a detached build- 

 ing, with separate sleeping rooms, each about ten feet by eight, 

 for eighteen insane females." 



The cells are warmed by fire places completely inclosed within 

 the wall and opening into the passage, so that the inhabitant is 

 rendered comfortable without having access to the fire. The fuel 

 now employed throughout the house is Lehigh coal. 



Provision has also been made to have day rooms, for the exer- 

 cise and employment of the lunatics of each sex. 



The lunatic department generally contains about 100 persons— 

 one-third of which may be females. During the day, they are 

 entertained as already stated, in large convenient rooms, or when 

 the weather permits, in agreeable and shady court yards in the 

 open air. Great pains are taken to find them employment. 



The use of metallic chains is forbidden—the substitute for them 

 being composed of links of strong bend-leather. The strait jacket 

 is also nearly out of use. Straps buckling over the arms, or 

 sleeves inclosing the whole hand and loosely fastened at the end 

 to a waistband, so as in both instances to admit of as great free- 

 dom of motion as possible, are the modes adopted for confining the 

 disorderly. The only punishment, as such, is subjection to a 

 shower bath. « The number who require confinement by chains, 

 or on whom clothes cannot be kept, is extremely small indeed ; 



