THE COLONIST.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 112, 16 November 1858, Page 2

THE COLONIST.

NELSOtfIjrUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1858. | _ _____ ,;, , .:■ — : j While resuming our narrative of the Manageimentt of Lunatic Asylums, we are bound to acknowledge1 that of late years there has-been great improvements introduced, both Jn the arrangement and conducting of these instifcu. | tibns; at the same time, we cannot help remarking that, with all our boasted advancement in civilisation and enlightenment in tins nineteenth century,- there seems to be no diminution of demand for these and other public receptacles for the corresponding increase of misery, vice, and orime which every where present themselves to the astonished gaze of all foreigners who frequent the mother country, in quest of the solution of that striking contrast between the extremes of wealth and abject poverty which meets the eye from tbe Land's End to John o' Groat's Castle of the country which pronounces itself the envy and admiration of surrounding nations! However, reverting lo the subject of our former article, we may instance the change that lias taken place in the treatment of the most helpless class ofthe inmates of these institutions, uaraely, paralytic and palsy "stricken patients, which it is well known form a very large portion of fche inmates of the county asylums afc home ; and as the author before quoted so 1 justly observes, " tbe surest test of the care which prevails in any asylum is to be found in the condition of the persons who cannot help themselves. Where trouble begins, there negligence begins also," is a truism which; would seem to be proved as time moves on, whether we look at the highest of air establishments, namely, the Government of the country, or the lowest parish vestry meeting. And yet nowhere do the alleviations of humanity seem more required than with the idiot and the lunatic. " Ifc is impossible to contemplate a room full of creatures moving about on their seats, rocking to and fro with a monotonous action, like a group of apes; or, when paralysed,'dragging themselves like seals along the floor by the aid of their arms, without being oppressed by the sense of the dreadful condition, to which man— his acknowledged superiority over all animated creation notwithstanding—can be reduced, when the mind is ruined and the nervous system diseased." There is- another remarkable feature pointed out by the author respecting the keen sense of discrimination evinced by the unfortunate inmates of these institutions, but which, we think, a little reflection, will iv some measure explain, though, we admit, at the expense of the superintendents of these institutions. There is an old saying, " when the cat's away the mice will play." Now, we cannot help being uncharitable enough in thinking, looking back to the indisputable fact "where trouble begins there negligence begins also,"' that iv.order to curtail as much as possible the scrutinising visits of the inspectors and visiting magistrates,, that the patients are led to view this class of persons with the same -mistrust and dislike, „|' they are known to do the medical officers and the attendants of these establishments, which may explain the following observation of the author, uamely :—" That the .passage of the visiting magistrates through the wards generally leaves behind it a trail of excitement which often generates outbreaks that do not subside for some hours." At the same time he observes, "on the whole, however, it is remarkable bow small an amount of violence is attempted by the insane; at the same timei precaution is always necessary, and the attendants, from long observation, are generally forewarned and consequently forearmed. Nevertheless, the utmost vigilance and precaution, will,.not always insure safety, and patients considered quite harmless will now and then commit the most horrible acts ;* and even those who have apparently the most harmless delusions will sometimes commit unlooked-for atrocities. Idleness is perhaps a greater curse to the majority of lunatics than to sane individuals. Occupation diverts the mind from its malady. The recent practice of employing patients in the trade or occupation they have been in the habit of following when in health has been attended with the happiest -effectsIn accordance with this opinion, that the pursuits of lunatics should be ; similar to those of their former days, the south wing of the Haslar Hospital is devoted to officers, seamen, and marines who are afflicted with insanity. Every window ofthe building commands a fine view of Spithead and the Isle of Wight, and here the old salts can sit and watch the splendid panorama crowded with vessels, and active with that nautical life \vhich recalls so many happy associations to their minds, whilst they are occasionally allowed to form fishing; parties, and to go out on pleasure excursions in row-boats and sailing craft. "Mental labor has not as yet been adopted iv England to any great extent as a means of cure. There is, however, an asylum at Perth which appears to be the very focus of intellectual activity, where scientific and philosophical expositions are attended by all the better class of patients. There may be seen a pit full of lunatics watching ' Box and Cox/ or studying ' How to Settle with their Laundress,' played by their fellow inmates; and not content with being mere spectators,- they have a journal—a second Scotch Review —in which they criticise their own performances. "It might be supposed that intellectual striving was not the most appropriate medicine i for a diseased brain." Nevertheless, it is capable of proof that the contrary is the fact. The surprise that lunatics should be susceptible of healthy mental exertion, arises from the common fallacy and forgetfulness that many understandings are slightly affected, or are only deranged upon particular points.' When Mat. Lee X r was in Bedlam, he said it waa very

difficult to write like a„madman, but very easy to write like a fool, The works* of fools are more voluminous than those of lunatics, for the simple reason that' there are more fools than lunatics; but those who are decidedly mad are so far from experiencing any difficulty in writing in their own character thafc they cannot write in any other. "As man\, however, who are not altogether right in their minds are no more exclusively^sane than people who are not absolutely. wjse..a!reentirely foolish", it is easy to see that they may be still equal to much profitable mental exertion. In these days poor Christopher Smart would not be deprived of pen and ink, and compelled to indent hislong poem, on 'David' with a key on the panels of his cell; nor perhaps would the following epigram, which a woman in. Bedlam wrote on Martin MADON'sargument ; in favor of ' Mormonism,' be handed about as a phenomena to be wondered at:— . ~..[: ' If John marry Mary, and Mary alone,' It's a good match between Mary and John ;_ But if John: marry more wives, what blows and what scratches,. '■- . ■••'•. 'Tis no longer a match,- but a bundle of matches.'" We think no one can have followed us thus far through this interesting essay without being deeply 'sensible of the importance of the subjecfc discussed ; and we only hope into .whosesoever hands the founding of similar institutions may be entrusted, as well as their-" subsequent management and control, they will bear in mind that part of our former article on the subject wherein the error of a too lavish expenditure upon the outer and ornamental portion of our public buildings is so justly deprecated iii the old country, as has been too clearly shewn at the sacrifice of the essential requisites for -> the internal comforts of the patients. With these remarks we take our leave of the sulject.