Excerpt from The Treatment of the Insane

We find the insane very much scattered - some in private families, some in almshouses and others in hospitals 5 some faring well, and others suffering badly in body, and worse in mind.

Passing by all cases in private families and private institutions, the almshouse and hospital constitute almost the only recepta cles for this class. These almshouses may be located in city, county or town, may be large or small, but such are the condi tion, management, surroundings, and character of the inmates of many of them that these establishments are generally unfit places for the insane. It is true there is a portion of the harm less and chronic insane who may be very comfortably provided for here, in some places, and there are almshouses so located and constructed and managed, as to afford all the accommoda tions for this class that could be desired. In certain localities, there has been of late great improvement in almshouses, espe cially in the internal arrangement for the care, comfort, and health of inmates, and occasionally in special provisions for insane paupers but there is in the almshouses throughout the country, more or less ground of complaint for the gross neglect and bad treatment of this doubly helpless and dependent class.

The hospital makes different, and far better provision for the insane, than the almshouse. The primary object of the hospital is curative treatment, and, the secondary, to furnish a safe receptacle where the insane cannot injure themselves or others. But, for various reasons, we think the matter of cure does not receive the attention that it ought. It is unnecessary here to adduce arguments, either on the score of humanity or economy, to prove that the cure of the insane - treatment for this express purpose should always be the first and paramount considera tion. Friends of the insane should not, by dallying or because of prejudice, delay sending at once every acute case of insanity to the hospital, where all the experience, skill and appliances possi ble should be brought into requisition for the speedy cure of the patient. The first few weeks or months in the institution may decide the case for life.

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