78 On the Lunatic Jlsylums in the United States. 



On an examination of the reports, it is also found that more 

 cases of recovery occur when the disease originates in what are 

 technically called physical causes, than when from moral ones. 

 Thus, 15 arising from Intemperance, recovered. 



The institutions now noticed,- are the only ones of which I have 

 been enabled to obtain Statistical accounts. Others however ex- 

 ist in various parts of the union.* 



Concerning Private Asylums, my information is very scanty. 

 I may however mention that the late Dr. James P. Chaplin, con- 

 ducted a most excellent and successful one for many years of his 

 life, at Cambridge, near Boston. In a biographical notice of Dr. 

 C. it is stated, that 44 probably no institution of the kind in this 

 44 country ever presented a greater number of cures. His method 

 " was a moral one. In common cases, he used no medicine but 

 44 occasional purgatives. Coercion and confinement were but 

 " little employed, and violence made no part of the system. It 

 44 was by his peculiar calm, commanding manner, and admirablo 

 44 judgment in conversing with his patients, that he succeeded in 

 44 softening the obstinate and controling the violent. To moral 

 44 modes of treatment, he added a careful regimen and great exer- 

 44 cise »f 



A brief comparison of the above results, with those deduced 

 from the experience of the principal Lunatic Asylums in Europe, 

 will form a proper conclusion to this paper. And first, of the 



establishment (he observes) is really a splendid instance of the public spirit which the 



14 



4 

 9 

 2 

 3 

 3 

 1 

 7 



Hepatic or bodily disease. 

 Typhus fever. 



Religious excitement or despondency. 



Disappointed affection. 

 Grief. 



Puerperal disease. 

 Hereditary. 



