On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. 71 



Annual average number of patients during eight years, 19| 

 Annual average number for five years ending in 1825, 31 § 



Average number during the year ending in March, 1825, 33* 



The Connecticut Asylum was founded through the combined 

 liberality of the legislature and the citizens of the state, it is situ- 

 ated in the city of Hartford ; and judging from the engraving pre- 

 fixed to the third report, the building must be large and spacious, 

 and combine all the comforts of a New-England country residence! 

 It was opened on the first of April, 1824, under the medical super- 

 intendence of Eli Todd, M. D. This gentleman we have heard 

 spoken of by those who know him, as one of the first medical men 

 in his native state ; and his success, as we shall hereafter show, 

 is a most satisfactory proof that his qualifications have not been 

 overrated. 



A remark made in the first report strikingly illustrates the value 

 and indeed necessity of establishing lunatic asylums. Many, it 

 is observed, whom it was found necessary, when at home, to con- 

 fine in chains, became uniformly, in a few days after their admis- 

 sion, orderly and inoffensive, and needed little or no restraint. 



The following extract from the report of the visitino- physicians 

 dated May 11, 1827, will enable the society to judge concerning 

 the mode of treatment pursued in this establishment. 



" In respect to the moral and intellectual treatment, the first 

 business of the physician, on the admission of a patient, is, to 

 gain his entire confidence. With this view, ho i< treated with the 

 greatest kindness, however violent his conduct may be-is allow- 

 ed all the liberty which his case admits of, and is made to under- 

 stand, if he is still capable of reflection, that so far from having 

 arrived at a mad-house, where he is to be confined, he has come 

 to a pleasant and peaceful residence, where all kindness and at- 

 tention will be shown him, and where every means will be em- 

 ployed for the recovery of his health. In case coercion and con- 

 finement become necessary, it is impressed upon his mind, that 



