Rules and regulations for the government of those employed in the New York Asylum for Idiots, Syracuse, N.Y / [H.B. Wilbur].

  • H. B. Wilbur
Date:
[1865]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Rules and regulations for the government of those employed in the New York Asylum for Idiots, Syracuse, N.Y / [H.B. Wilbur]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    3/4
    ■3 11 11 ; i i i Ryles for Attendants. Pupils are sent to this institution, because they are unlike ordinary children, in some respects. Some, because they do not use their senses or their faculties as readily as other children. Some, because they are dull and slow of comprehension, or cannot fix their attention. Some, because they have no proper appreciation of the distinction between right and wrong. Some, because they are ungovernable at home, or, because they have disagreeable or vicious habits. Before coming here, they have, perhaps, been mismanaged or ill-treat¬ ed, neglected or indulged till their natural infirmaties or peculiarities have grown upon them. To meet all or any of these conditions, kindness, patience, and for¬ bearance must always be exercised by the attendants, or those inline- diately in charge. No punishment is to be administered by any attendant, unless it is directed by the Superintendent, for a specific purpose, and in the case of a particular individual. Any unkind treatment of a pupil, and especially if a blow is struck, will be followed by the prompt dismissal of the person guilty of it. All matters, relating to the children, out of the common course; as any change in the habits, any symptoms of sickness in a child, or any injury, are to be reported at once to the officers. When such report has been made and any special instructions have been given fbrThei^v*^ management, these directions must be strictly obeyed. It is essential to the success of the Asylum, that a proper classifica¬ tion of the pupils should be preserved during the intervals of school hours. To this end, unless instructions are given to the contrary, by the officers, the different classes of children must be kept apart from each other. And this rule will be enforced more stringently because of the fact, that when two attendants are together with their classes, they are apt to engage in conversation with each other, and neglect their charge. And for the same reason, visitors must not be received or taken where the pupils are. On certain occasions, however, one attendant may have the charge of two classes of pupils, for a short time, or at certain periods on Sunday ; but not otherwise, unless by special direction of the officers. Each attendant, when on duty with the children, is responsible for the proper care of every pupil of whom they have the charge, and is expected to be able, at any moment, to say where any individuab-v# that number may be found. When on duty with the children, the attendants are expected to devote their whole thought to their occu¬ pation, and must not be reading or doing anything else for their own amusement. The attendants must rise at the ringing of the bell, to perform their morning duties with the children. They must present them¬ selves promptly at the ringing of the bell, at the close of school hours, to take charge of the pupils. They must not leave their duties for their