Sixteenth annual report of the trustees of the State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester. December, 1848.

  • State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester.
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sixteenth annual report of the trustees of the State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester. December, 1848. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    37/72 (page 37)
    It is seen, by this table, that the patients in the Hospital have been increasing every year. But it would now seem that its utmost capacity had been reached. Still, the great majority of the insane, in this State, are not in this nor any other proper Institution. Convenient and well-ordered accommodations for the insane are yet needed in this Commonwealth, and would be occupied immediately by proper sub¬ jects, if the expenses could be placed within the means of those who support them. Poverty follows very closely in the train of insanity. It is with only a few favored individuals that they can be long sepa¬ rated. Not more than five per cent, of those, in this Institution, have been well able to meet the expense of their maintenance here. The families of some others, making a larger per cent., struggle on against their hard fortune, and, by denying themselves many of the comforts of life, pay their bills here as they become due. This is the class of patients that most needs to have their burdens made lighter by the generous hand of the Commonwealth. It is true economy with us to expend all that may be necessary for the most speedy cure of all the curable patients; and it is just and humane to spare no expense of time or money to relieve, as far as possible, the mental condition of those who cannot be entirelv re¬ stored, and to render the condition of the incurable as happy and as comfortable as the nature of their several maladies will allow. Such of the insane as become so by causes beyond their control, have a just claim upon the community for a comfortable and respecta¬ ble support. And it is indeed true, that all are liable to become insane. Every year, some of our best minds become deranged, and a retreat from the cares and troubles of life is sought for them in the Hospitals of the country, which shield them from many sources of affliction, and afford them increased chances of recovery. The teas¬ ing and over-anxious interference of relatives is avoided in Plospitals. There, too, he is not the object of particular observation to the curi¬ ous. Freedom of action and motion is much less restricted than is often thought necessary in one’s own home. Full liberty to move about is given in our wards, unless others are disturbed thereby. When restriction of one’s liberty becomes necessary, our wards an¬ swer that purpose much better than personal restraint. About one half of the insane in the community would be, from the character of their maladies, made more comfortable and happy in Hospitals than out of them, and the community relieved of the fear and anxiety that is naturally produced by their presence.