NOTICE OF PARTICULAR INSANE ASYLUMS. MAINE INSANE HOSPITAL. This institution was opened in 1840. It has had some difficulties to contend with, from changes of officers, and jealousies, which are yielding to kindness, benevolence, public confidence, and increased usefulness. Dr. Ray is its intelligent superintendent. Its last report is a printed document of 38 pages. It embraces the reports of the trustees, steward, and superintendent; by which it appears that the number of patients under treatment has been Number at the commencement of the year, Number improved, Number of deaths, Whole number under treatment, from the first,. . 147 65 68 31 27 4 304 100 17 The officers of the institution have been appointed under the new law of 1843; their salaries have been fixed; they hold their offices during the pleasure of the trustees. The trustees have settled the treasurer's accounts; made a schedule of all the property belonging to the institution, and taken a bond from the treasurer and steward; made monthly visits to the Hospital, and found it in good order; laid an aqueduct for conducting excellent spring water to every elevation of the building; purchased a carriage for the use of the patients; reduced the price of board, in certain cases, for females, to $150 per week; and they urge the importance of having all the wards filled, which are now but a little more than half filled, its number of patients being 68, and its capacity great enough for the accommodation of 108. The receipts of the institution, from all sources, have been $8,792 38; the expenditures, $8,999 68. The bills for the support of patients have been cheerfully and punctually paid by towns and individuals; the farm has yielded $787 in produce; the labor having been performed by the patients. The whole report indicates steadily-increasing prosperity. - NEW HAMPSHIRE ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE. The first report of this institution has appeared during the last year. It is a printed document, of 23 pages octavo, and contains the report of the board of visitors, trustees, and superintendent. The board of visitors say, 66 they do not perceive that any thing is wanting, to carry into full effect the design of this humane institution, except a separate building for noisy patients." This they recommend. The trustees say, the expenditures for finishing and furnishing the building, and for the aqueduct, have been $9,866 56; which, together with other expenses for provisions, fuel, officers' salaries, &c., amount to $12,633 74. The receipts have been $9,248 56; of which $1,124 63 have been from the board of patients. The indebtedness of the Asylum was $3,386 28. The available funds would liquidate this debt, and leave a balance, in favor of the institution, of $161 93. The number of patients admitted in 7 months was Number recovered and discharged, Number improved,. Number of deaths, Number discharged, 76 12 The trustees say, "The large number of patients admitted within seven months, (i. e. 76,) proves its necessity and importance. Within this period, it has removed from the hands and feet of the insane many a manacle and chain; it has furnished for many, who were previously suffering all that it was possible for human beings to suffer, a pleasant retreat, where they have enjoyed all the liberty and comfort which their condition would admit; and it has restored husbands to wives, wives to husbands, children to parents, and parents to children, who might otherwise have dragged out a miserable existence in incurable insanity." Expense per week, for patients from abroad, $2 50; patients in the state, $2 25. Dr. Chandler's report is modest and sensible, highly creditable to his good sense and judgment; and we unite with him very truly in saying, this Asylum has made a successful beginning. Since the above was written, the second report of the New Hampshire Asylum has been received. It is a handsomelyprinted document, of 32 pages octavo, and contains the reports of the visitors, trustees, and superintendent. It speaks only of prosperity and success, no adverse circumstances having occurred to cast a gloom over the institution. The only thing regretted by all is, that the measure proposed last year, of erecting a lodge-building for violent and noisy patients, has not yet been carried into execution. All agree in opinion in regard to its importance, and urge importunately upon the legislature to make immediate provision for it. The whole number of patients admitted during the second year, was . . . Number enjoying the benefits during the year, Whole number admitted from the beginning,. Whole number recovered and discharged, Per cent. of recoveries in recent cases; males, 104 151 47 70 180 110 49 females, "chronic cases; males, females, Dr. Chandler notices, with regret, that successful treatment in particular cases has been prevented by premature removals. He says, 20 have left partially restored, many of whom, by longer perseverance in remedies, would have been entirely restored. The principal reason of premature removals, he says, is pecuniary inability-showing the value and importance of charitable provision for this class of cases. Among the supposed causes of insanity, of those received last year, Dr. Chandler gives the following: Ill health, 20; religion, (false religion, we suppose,) 10; pecuniary embarrassment, 7; taking cold, 6; disappointed ambition, 5; intemperance, 4; watching with and care of the sick, 3; hard work, 3; domestic affliction, 3; unknown, 43. In regard to the occupation of the patients before they came to the Asylum, out of 104, 19 were farmers, 23 were housekeepers, and 29 were daughters of farmers, living mostly at home. In regard to the civil condition of patients, 44 were married, 53 unmarried, and 7 were widowers and widows. Dr. Chandler says, "It is admitted to be true, that there are more insane in single life than in the married life." "The disproportion," he says, "arises mainly, in his apprehension, from the fact that many become insane previous to the time when age and other circumstances would have favored a matrimonial connection. Quite a large share of all become insane before the age of 20 or 25. The additional cares which a family imposes upon an individual, bring with them a fixedness of purpose, that conduces to serenity of mind; while the loneliness of celibacy unsettles the purposes of life, which renders the mind unstable." The same principles govern Dr. Chandler now as when he was at Worcester. The farm has yielded produce valued at $558 92. Much labor has been performed both by male and female patients. Many of the patients are fond of reading, and very acceptable donations of pamphlets, papers, and books, are gratefully acknowledged. House plants are cultivated. Occasional religious services are attended on the afternoon of the Sabbath, which some of the clergy of the village have been kind enough to conduct; and more than 50 of the patients have attended the meetings at some of the churches in the village, without disturbance to others, and with great benefit to themselves. On the whole, the New Hampshire Asylum, at the end of the second year, appears to be a most worthy member of the family of Asylums. VERMONT ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE. The seventh annual report of this institution has been received, and is a closely-printed document of 12 pages octavo, and embraces the reports of the trustees and superintendent. It speaks only of success. Whole number of patients enjoying its benefits last year, 224 Number at the commencement of the year, Number at the close of the year, Number received during the year, Number recovered, Number of deaths, Whole number received from the first, Whole number recovered, Whole number discharged, 113 136 111 51 11 535 230 399 1836 A commissioner has been appointed, to receive applications, which is a measure of excellent utility. To him the selectmen of towns can make application at all times. The state is small, many are received annually, many are cured, the expense is moderate of each patient, and the institution supports itself; so that we see how benevolence and enterprise have gained an important ascendency in Vermont, in the management of this alarming disease of insanity. Expense of patients, $2 a week, or $100 a year. Total expense, $13,050 15; total income, $13,493 61; balance in favor of the institution, $448 46. For employment, they have a farm and garden, a shoe shop, a joiner's shop, and an editor's table. Whether the printing of the Weekly Journal, in the Vermont Asylum, is done within the walls of the establishment, we are not informed. It is a novel and very useful appendage to an Insane Asylum. We wish Dr. Rockwell great success in all his economical, practical, and useful designs for the benefit of the insane. The history of the institution under his care has been one of uninterrupted prosperity. 1 McLEAN ASYLUM AT CHARLESTOWN, MASS. This noble institution, under the care of Dr. Bell, sustains its high character. The class of patients sent to this institution, on account of its excellent accommodations, is of a high order. Whole number receiving its benefits last year, Number at the commencement of the year, Number at the close of the year, 260 131 134 "The number admitted, the average of the house, and the number at the close of the year, are almost exactly the same as during the previous year." The institution "has never yet been obliged to refuse an application." Notwithstanding the successful operation of the institutions in Maine and New Hampshire, there has been no falling off in the average household at the McLean Asylum. Patients "are seldom prematurely removed, which was formerly one of the greatest trials; " because "the means for their support are now permanently secured by the understandingly adapted benefaction. of a late member of the board" of trustees. "No considerable change has been made in the general care and mode of treatment. The guiding star of our system," says Dr. Bell, "has, as far as possible, been kindness and occupation." Dr. Bell "is still satisfied that no amount of human aid will |