Letter [soliciting pecuniary aid] : Retreat for the Insane ; Hartford, July 20th, 1860 / [signed] J. S. Butler.

  • Institute of Living.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Letter [soliciting pecuniary aid] : Retreat for the Insane ; Hartford, July 20th, 1860 / [signed] J. S. Butler. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    Iii the thirty-fifth Report, I made a brief Expose' of the financial condition and resources of the Institution. I there stated, what was known to all familiar with its history, that it was founded mainly by private benevolence ; that it has since received but comparatively little aid from cither public or private sources; that the donations of the State have been small, few and far between, and gen- erally for a consideration ; and that the Institution lias principally accomplished its results and attained its present position by the blessing of Heaven upon that spirit of Christian philanthropy and financial sagacity which have guided its concerns. The architectural and other improvements which have been made daring the past few years, and which remain to lie made, (such as the introduction of Gas, Steam, &c.,) have absorbed and will continue to absorb for several years to come, every dollar of our available income. I am compelled, therefore, to look to private beneficence as the only source from which it is possi- ble to obtain this aid. I ask it earnestly, as giving the Institution the greater power of promoting the recovery of the curable ; of alleviating the weariness of hope deferred—that heart-sickness which comes from impatient waiting for the slow-moving hours of long protracted convalescence; in truth, of exchanging darkness for light, sorrow for joy, sickness for health, gloom and despair for peace and hope, for many who have been, and the many who yet will lie brought to our doors bound in the bondage of this terrible disease. Is it strange, therefore, living as I do amidst so much misery which can so easily be remedied, or alleviated, that I should plead earnestly for the means to do it, in the strong conviction that if this effort fails now, no similar one will be made for years? Within the past few years most liberal donations have been made to many other of our Insti- tutions for these and similar objects. It is not certainly becoming that the Retreat should be suf- fered to fall behind hand in points of such importance. It ought rather to lead. The many and great improvements which have been made in this Institution during the past few years, are evidences of a recognition of the fact that the day has gone by, when the ordinary necessaries and comforts of life were deemed a sufficient provision for the Insane. The Christian sentiment of the day now demands, that in the arrangement of Lunatic Hospitals, everything repulsive shall, as far as possible, be laid aside; that they lie made cheerful and pleasant residences for the diseased body and the disordered mind; that their wards should invite and not repel; be sought as a refuge and not entered as a last resort; that the real affliction of this grave disease shall not be aggravated, both to patient and friends, by the necessity of resorting for treatment to an abode in any manner cheerless or repulsive, but that they should be soothed and consoled by their ability to seek relief amid pleasant associations, and in a cheerful and home-like dwelling. Thus treating it, as it is, a simply physical disease, we should deprive Insanity of half its horrors. There is another consideration which it is fair to present, and which interests us all. Insanity is no respecter of persons. There is no homo so wisely guided, none so safely guarded, that this disease may not enter. In all, therefore, that we may do towards increasing the efficiency and comfort of our Asylums for the Insane, we may be ministering in the future to the necessities of some one of our beloved ones or ourselves! I am aware of the thousand calls which arc day by day almost intruding themselves upon private charity. The one I now present to you needs no better excuse, if any, than the subject itself. This movement is made with the sanction of the Board of Directors, and under the advice and general direction of a Committee appointed by them. I remain, with respect, your friend, <fcc, J. S. BUTLER.