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

1893.] Lzfr in an i?t~ane Asylnm. 167
tient are placed in the sleeves, which
are folded in front and held down by a
short strap. The ends of the sleeves
are then bronght around the sides to
the back, and there securely fastened.
Two other methods of restraint, the ank]ets and the mittens, are illustrated. Pa- 7
tients confined in a dark room alone have I
been known to release themselves from 11$
the strait-jacket in an unaccountable
manner.
A notable instance of this occurrence i
was lately given in the escape of a patient from the Napa Asylum. A man
named B became violently insane.
He was brought to the asylum, where
particular care was taken to prevent his
escape. A guard visited his room every
fifteen minutes during the night. Dur- THE "QUEEN OF ENGLAND AND THE WDRLD."
ing the intervals of the guard's visits dollars; low-crowned black felt hats~ and
he freed himself, obtained possession of heavy shoes complete the attire. The
a metal cuspidor, filed through two iron clothing of the female patients is largebars, pul]ed them apart, lowered him- ly cut from calico, gingham, and in winself to the ground by his bedclothes, ter Scotch plaid. Their heads are proand escaped. He was soon recaptured, tected by sun-bonnets or winter hoods
however. of waterproof, lined with flannel.
After the patients have gone to bed The position of an asylum attendant
and the doors are locked, the duties of does not seem to be an enviable one;
the attendant are over. A night watch- nevertheless, it is a singular fact that
man now comes on duty, beginning at many of the attendants who have left
9 P. M. and ending at 5 A. M. The the asylum are anxious to return again.
watchman is assigned five or six wards, The work required is not hard, but it is
which he visits frequently in the night. confining. The day is passed in com At 5:30 A. M. the attendants arise, pany with the insane, but this soon
unlock the patients' doors, pass in their ceases to be a serious objection. Two
clothes, and dress those who cannot or attendants, at least, are in charge of
will not dress themselves. every ward, the senior and the assist The brief history of an ordinary day ant. Some wards have as many as five.
in a patient's life has now been told. If the patients be quiet, the attendant
Its monotony is seldom varied, except has at certain seasons of the day opporby an occasional visit froni friends, or a tunity to read and write, or idle; but in
participation in the Friday evening the more violent wards his leisure is at
dance. any moment liable to be broken by
The clothing in which the patients scuffles among the patients.
are dressed is stout and comfortable, The attendant cannot be a coward.
but not expensive, or cut according to He must be determined, and respected
the latest style. The male garments by the patients. When a quarrel occurs
consist of red or blue flannel under- the attendant kindly but firmly interclothing, gray socks, and tweed suits of feres to separate the combatants, or
the same color, which cost six or seven place them under restraint. Any abuse