The history of the first inebriate asylum in the world / by its founder [Jonathan Edward Turner]. An account of his indictment, also a sketch of the Woman's national hospital, by its founder.

  • Turner, J. Edward, 1822-1889.
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of the first inebriate asylum in the world / by its founder [Jonathan Edward Turner]. An account of his indictment, also a sketch of the Woman's national hospital, by its founder. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    opinions of the great men of Europe and this country, we can look forward to the certain success of this Asylum. The people of our land call loudly for it, as shown by the fact that during the past eight years we have received from the different parts of the United States hundreds of letters, ask- ing when this institution would be ready to receive patients, as the writers had friends whom they wished to have enter said xVsyluni. One of these letters which was written to ex- Governor Hunt, is as follows: “Philadelphia, Sept. 24, 1854. “Ex-GoVEENOR Hunt: “Dear Sir:—I take the liberty of addressing you on a subject that deeply interests me. Having seen your name connected with a benevolent institution, and heading a list of directors of the highest respectability, I have chosen you, sir, as the only one whose name is familiar to me, for the in- formation I need in regard to the institution of the United States Inebriate Asylum. I am the mother of an unfortu- nate son, whose present situation demands prompt and im- mediate action. He is the son of the late Dr. T., and is in Ohio with my son-in-law. Has been engineering with him since last winter. Has done well until the weather became very hot. Was sick and weak all summer. ^Ir. H. informed me that he drank very hard, has had several fits, and has lost all power over himself to abstain fi‘om drinking. This is too dreadful for me to bear without making an effort to save him. He is twenty-two years of age and has occasionally indulged in drinking before, although the habit has never before been fixed. 1 appeal to your kindness as a widow mother. Is there any hope? Is there any refuge for my son ? I beg you will write me, and advise with me, and inform me what to do to avail myself of the benefit of this institution, which seems to me to be the only way Avhei-ein I can find any help, and you will receive the hearty thanks and kind feelings of an affectionate mother. 1 drink this bitter cu]) alone, save God, ‘ who temjiers the wind to the shorn lamb.’ “ Most respectfully yours, H. T.’’ The wants of such an asylum brings to us daily some ]ioor, bloated, sick creature, knocking at the door of this