76 On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. 



Recent. Chronic. Total. 



It is proper to mention in this place, that among the chronic 

 cases are included many concerning whom all hope of successful 

 treatment is abandoned, but who are kept in the institution with 

 the view of rendering their situation more comfortable. 



Durjpg the first year, of 32 chronic cases, 12 had been insane 

 from one to five years, 8 from five to ten years, 6 from ten to fif- 

 teen, and 6 from fifteen to twenty years. Five of these were in a 

 state of helpless idiotism, and 6 in that of mental decrepitude. 



In the report for the fourth year, it is stated, that two thirds of 

 the chronic cases then reported belong to the incurable ones, thus 

 leaving only ten out of thirty that could be considered as subjects 



