Report on insanity and idiocy in Massachusetts.

  • Massachusetts. Commission on Lunacy. [from old catalog].
Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on insanity and idiocy in Massachusetts. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Lamar Soutter Library, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Lamar Soutter Library at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

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    4. And, generally, to examine and report the best and most approved plans for the management of the insane, so far as the size and character of Hospitals, and the number of patients proper to be under one supervision are concerned. 5. To examine into the present condition of the State Lu- natic Hospital at Worcester, and ascertain what kind and amount of repairs are needed, and at what probable cost, and consider the expediency of disposing of the said Hospital and the lands connected therewith, or any part thereof, and of re- commending a site for the erection of a new Hospital or Hos- pitals. 6. To report the estimated proceeds of the sale of the pres- ent Hospital and the grounds therewith connected, at Worces- ter, if'they deem such a sale desirable. 7. To accompany their Report with plans, specifications and estimates of cost of any new Hospital which they may recommend. As early as possible after receiving their appointment, the Commissioners addressed themselves to the work assigned them by the Legislature. On careful consideration of the language and spirit of the Resolves and the purposes of the Legislature in reference to this matter, they thought that the number and condition of the insane in the State, their prospects and their wants, lay at the foundation of all further action, and that therefore this inquiry should be first made. They then determined to make the re- quisite enumeration of the insane and idiots, and ascertain all the facts concerning them specified in the law, as the first step in their work, before they should proceed to the others, except so far as they might be attended to incidentally, while in pur- suit of the first object. In order to ascertain the number and condition of the in- sane and idiots in this Commonwealth, it was necessary either to visit every family, in person or by proper agents, to make the inquiry, or to obtain the facts of those who already knew them. The former, the personal inquiry from house to house, if done by the Commissioners, would probably require some years to accomplish the object; and if done by others, it would