Life in an Insane Asylum [pp. 161-171]

162 L~ i~ a?z fnsane Asylum. [Feb.
thus far been perfected. The late Dr. tious is this system, that, from the inE. T. Wilkins, while superintendent of stant an alarm is sounded, two full
the asylum, made an especial study of streams can be turned upon a fire, in
the principles on which the prominent any portion of the building, in two and
public institutions for the insane in the and a half minutes." In case of fire,
United States and those in England, the general alarm is given by the rapid
Germany, and France were conducted. and continuous ringing of the bell in
He visited the asylums of these coun- the clock tower. Attendants in charge
tries, stopping long enough to make of wards are reminded that their first
himself thoroughly conversant with all duty is to their patients and their safe
the details of their management. Upon removal. Special and immediate attenhis return, Doctor Wilkins was enabled tion is to be given to the early removal
to make such improvements in the ad- of sick and infirm to places of safety.
ministration of the asylum as his inves- Attendants must invariably remain with
tigation convinced him to be needed. their patients and attend to the immediThe system as now used, with slight ate removal of these to the yards through
alterations, by Doctor Gardner, is cer- the nearest available tower. All room
tainly one of the finest in the world. doors are to be unlocked, and before he
The asylum building was erected in leaves the ward the attendant mus be
1873-So, at a cost of ~I,3OO,OOO. It was positively certain that all his patients
then intended to accommodate six hun- are out of it.
dred patients, and contained twenty-six After an insane person has been arwards. Since that time, five wards rested and tried before the Insanity
more have been added, and the whole Commissioners, he is taken by the
now gives room for fourteen hundred sheriff, or his deputy, to the asylum.
patients. The wards of the asylum are Sometimes friends accompany him, and
about 100 feet long and 25 feet broad. the partings are often very sad. He is
Each ward has twenty-five single rooms, first assigned to the receiving ward. If
a dormitory, dining-room, pantries, bath- he be quite violent his clothing is reroom, wash-room, and clothes-room. moved, and a suit furnished by the
The rooms of the patients are neatly State is given him. If not, he is albut plainly furnished. Each one is well lowed to wear his own clothes or to preventilated and lighted by a window, a serve them for special occasions. He
feature not to be found in any other remains in the receiving ward for a
large asylum at the time of its erection. short time, and is then assigned to a
Two infirmaries, built lately, stand at suitable ward. The daily routine of the
the eastern and western ends of the patient's life is as follows: -
building. Each is conveniently fitted At six o'clock he arises and prepares
for the accommodation of thirty pa- for breakfast, served at six-thirty; it contien ts. sists of oatmeal or cornmeal mush, bread
An admirable characteristic of the and butter, molasses and coffee. The
building is the provision that has been food is given to the convalescents in
made against the spreading of fire. The heavy crockery ware and to the viwards ate principally of brick and stone, olent patients in tin ware. After
and so arranged that they may be shut breakfast, each one cares for his
off from each other by large, fire-proof room, and perhaps helps to sweep the
doors. Systematic preparation is made corridors or attend the sick. Then the
for fighting fire by the weekly drill of time is occupied as he pleases until
an efficient fire company of assistant at- nine A. M., when the patients are in
tendants. "So faultless and expedi- favorable weather permitted to enjoy